Tech From Here: NL · Sources

A clay reef for worms

Tech From Here: NL · Dutch Design Week 2026

The work this post covers and every source it draws on, each linked to the original.

The workAlveo: A Clay 3D Printed Artificial Reef System (Sven van Leeuwen, designstudio morv), on the Dutch Design Week 2026 programme ddw.nl

Research cited

  1. S: MarLIN, Sabellaria alveolata marlin.ac.uk

Other sources

  1. S: Tony Hansen, Digitalfire glossary, Sintering digitalfire.com
  2. instagram.com/designstudiomorv instagram.com

Images, slide by slide

Slide 1
A 3D-printed clay reef module on a beach, hit by a wavePhoto: Sven van LeeuwenMuseum or journal record
Slide 2
Diagram of packed worm tubes in a honeycomb pattern, with notes: each tube is cemented sand or shell grains, reefs can reach several meters across, mostly between the tidesImage: RN Collins studio, code-drawn. Checked against MarLIN species page: builds tubes from sand or shell fragments; coarse cemented grains; honeycomb pattern; reefs up to several meters across; intertidal, exposed shores (source lines drawn on the graphic)
Slide 3
Numbered list of six design features: anchor, neck, texture, habitat, modules and a clay body fired at 1050 degrees CelsiusImage: RN Collins studio, code-drawn. Checked against Press kit 2108: the six features listed by the designer (source lines drawn on the graphic)
Slide 4
Diagram comparing unfired clay, which slakes to mud in water, with clay fired past red heat, whose grains sinter and no longer slakeImage: RN Collins studio, code-drawn. Checked against Digitalfire: fired enough, clay no longer slakes; reached as low as red heat (about 1100 F); kit: fired at 1050 C (source lines drawn on the graphic)
Slide 5
Two boxes: published, six design features and a clay body fired at 1050 degrees for the Wadden Sea; not published yet, field results and whether worms settleImage: RN Collins studio, code-drawn. Checked against Entity sheet: no field results reported (source lines drawn on the graphic)
Ring frame
Brazier, Rijksmuseum (BK-1973-182)Frame: Rijksmuseum, PD, croppedMuseum or journal record

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