Reefine

DESIGN: Zhong-Wei Lin

Taiwan

make me! 2025

“Reefine” is a modular artificial reef system designed with the concept of “returning marine waste to the ocean.” It repurposes discarded oyster shells—naturally porous and biologically compatible with corals—as the primary material. The structure is based on the Schwarz minimal surface, allowing smooth water flow and reducing sediment accumulation that could harm coral growth. The porous texture of oyster shells provides ideal surfaces for coral larvae and marine life to attach. “Reefine” uses a simple molding process for fast and cost-effective production, making it easy to replicate and deploy across different regions. It also supports reef restoration teams by streamlining the processes of coral collection, cultivation, and deployment, ultimately promoting more efficient and widespread coral restoration.

Reefine, design: Zhong-Wei Lin / from designer’s archive

Zhong-Wei Lin

A Taiwan-born designer with a strong focus on sustainability, specializing in product, brand, and packaging design. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Design Products at the Royal College of Art in London, fully funded by the Chevening Scholarship and the Taiwan Ministry of Education.

Zhong-Wei has extensive experience in sustainable design, having collaborated with Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, the Environmental Protection Administration, and various private enterprises on projects focused on circular material innovation and social impact.

With sustainability and social care at the heart of his practice, Zhong-Wei has received several prestigious international design awards, including the Red Dot Award: Best of the Best, the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA), and the A’ Design Award. He is also a recipient of the 2nd Chia Hsin Sustainability Scholarship from the Chia Hsin Foundation, as well as the 2024 Chevening Delta Climate Scholarship.

DESIGNER’S PORTFOLIO