Developing and implementing water-adapted urban solutions (aquacities) and floating structures (aquatecture)
SeaCities Lab capitalises on the ocean's efficiencies to create positive change in the world. This highly interdisciplinary initiative brings together 20 experts from diverse fields, including architecture and design, engineering, urban planning, marine biology, and data science. By harnessing synergies across these disciplines, the SeaCities Lab pioneers innovative solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
The Lab offers comprehensive professional services across all stages of the research process, from foundational studies to applied projects. We support organisations and individuals with a wide array of research activities including: literature reviews, developing research questions and methodologies, generating innovative conceptual ideas, data collection and analysis using digital and physical models, creating physical prototypes, providing rigorous evaluation and feedback, and disseminating research findings effectively. Whether you are embarking on a new research initiative or seeking expert guidance at any stage, our team is here to help you achieve results.
Our Gold Coast campus engineering workshop is equipped with extensive facilities, including structural testing capabilities, a custom-designed wave tank and sand flume, aerodynamic testing equipment, a particle image velocimeter, and a state-of-the-art 3D printing and CNC machining centre. These resources enable us to conduct cutting-edge research and development across various projects.
At the SeaCities Lab, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of research to create sustainable, ocean-based solutions that benefit society and the environment.
Welcome aboard: Explore our research
SeaCities Exhibition: Research Review
This two minute video presents our research projects related to food security, clean energy, environmental protection, and geostrategic development. Want to explore further? Visit the SeaCities Lab online to dive into our innovative research, including detailed project summaries, videos, and publications.
Theme leader Professor Joerg Baumeister
Professor Joerg Baumeister is the founder and director of the SeaCities Lab. He is passionate about advancing water-based urbanism and floating structures, affordable housing in serial construction technology and human-centred design through his research, creative projects, patents, practical implementations, educational initiatives, and published works. Reference partners of his research projects have included the United Nations / UNHCR, World Bank, African Union, European Union, the Australian Research Council, state government departments and local councils.
Our researchers
Dr Edoardo Bertone
Snr Lecturer and Research Fellow, School of Engineering and Built Environment
Dr Jeung-Hwan Doh
Snr Lecturer, School of Engineering and Built Environment
Professor Hong Guan
Professor, School of Engineering and Built Environment
Dr Eleni Kalantidou
Snr Lecturer, Queensland College of Art and Design
Associate Professor Hassan Karampour
Associate Professor and Deputy Head (Research), School of Engineering and Built Environment
Dr Despina Linaraki
Lecturer, School of Engineering and Built Environment
Dr Thang Nguyen
Research Fellow
Dr Oz Sahin
Snr Research Fellow, Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Coastal and Marine Research Centre
Dr Amir Etemad-Shahidi
Snr Lecturer, School of Engineering and Built Environment, Coastal and Marine Research Centre
Professor Hong Zhang
Griffith School of Engineering and Built Environment, Coastal and Marine Research Centre
Our research candidates and assistants
Our doctoral candidates and research assistants are integral to our team, driving award-winning research at SeaCities Lab. Our students, hailing from both Australia and abroad, are supported by a diverse range of scholarships and funding from Griffith University, the Australian Government, industry and international sources.
Lazarus Gyang - Development of a novel floating structure for fish farming from lightweight materials
Elisa Fernandez Ramos - ASSUU: Aquatic Self-Sufficient Urban Unit - Urban Sustainable Infrastructure in Sea Cities
Krishnaveny Risheharan - Floating mangrove wave breakers for coastal protection and production (Case study - Queensland)
Tino Haug - Research assistant (Industrial design)
Atiria Morrison - Research assistant (Architecture)
Martin Ziarmal - Research assistant (Architecture)
Our adjunct members
Our adjunct members and industry fellows link our research group to wider academic and industry networks across Australia and internationally. We are also affiliated with the Blue Economy CRC, which brings together 45 industry, government, and research partners from ten countries.
Dr Daniela Ottmann – Associate Professor - Architecture, Bond University, Gold Coast
Dr Rukuh Setiadi – Associate Professor, Diponegoro University, Indonesia
Dr Ioana Giurgiu – Architect, particle : design, Cluj, Romania
Recent publications
At the Edge of the Sea
Available late 2024
At the Edge of the Sea: The Evolution of Amphibious Concepts highlights innovative amphibious concepts that can be developed for the edge of the sea. Explores interfaces between land/sea and coastal/international waters, and their geostrategic, ecological, urban, productive, indigenous, legal, historical, and artistic dimensions.
Cities+1m
2023
Cities+1m: Urban Development Solutions for Sea-level Rise highlights future city development from terrestrial towards an amphibious and aquatic understanding. Presents topics relevant for a future aquatic urbanism- evolution of a taxonomy; wetland development; seascapes, etc.
SeaOasis
2023
SeaOasis: Floating Aquaculture for Smallholders' Global Food Security highlights a strategy which includes four tactics on how to deal with the risk of sea-level rise and other water hazards. Presents case studies from three cities. Offers opportunities for cities for urban extensions like marine estates, aquatic food production, sea-related industry, and oceanic tourist attractions.
SeaCities: Aquatic Urbanism
2023
Highlights future city development from terrestrial towards an amphibious and aquatic understanding. Presents topics relevant for a future aquatic urbanism- evolution of a taxonomy; wetland development; seascapes, etc.
SeaCities: Urban Tactics for Sea-level Rise
2021
Highlights a strategy which includes four tactics on how to deal with the risk of sea-level rise and other water hazards. Presents case studies from three cities. Offers opportunities for cities for urban extensions like marine estates, aquatic food production, sea-related industry, and oceanic tourist attractions.
SeaCities Lab PhD opportunities
We are constantly looking for highly motivated research assistants and PhD researchers with excellent educational achievements in architecture, environmental science, or engineering. We have supervisors available in areas such as structural engineering, ocean engineering, coastal engineering, water, architecture, system dynamics, and environmental planning. The Institute offers an excellent PhD program offering peer support and SeaCities Lab can provide you with industry contacts and access to data and models. Our graduates gaining positions in leading universities, consultancies, and government agencies.
Please contact the researcher most aligned with your research interests in the first instance. If you are uncertain who might be best placed as a possible supervisor, feel free to contact Professor Jeorg Baumeister directly.