I M ∧ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS
Coastal Research Habitat
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01 / OVERVIEW

Coastal Research Habitat

An off-grid marine biology field station elevated on timber stilts along coastal mangrove wetlands.

TYPEMarine Research Lab & Micro-Dwellings
SITE AREA6.5 Acres
LOCATIONTamil Nadu Coast, India
STATUSCompleted Prototype
02CONCEPT & DESIGN STORY

Light-touch tectonic architecture.

Lightweight prefabricated mass-timber pavilions float above the high-tide line, linked by raised boardwalks.

01

Dune Preservation

Non-invasive screw pile foundations.

02

Aerodynamic Shells

Curved rooflines deflecting high-velocity coastal winds.

03SITE + CONTEXT

Topographical & Climate Analysis

Direct beachfront interface surrounded by casuarina groves and tidal lagoons.

CLIMATE ZONECoastal Saline Tropical
SOLAR ORIENTATIONEast-West aerodynamic canopy
WIND CORRIDORBay of Bengal Monsoon winds
Site Topography
04PLANS & MASTERPLAN

Interactive Master Plan

Click on the interactive markers to inspect key spatial nodes and architectural clusters.

1 ZONING PINS
Master Plan Blueprint
NODE 01 / 01850 m²

Wet Lab Pavilion

Saline water filtration and coral incubation tanks.

Select Another Zone
05SECTIONS + ELEVATIONS

Tidal Elevation & Cross Breeze

Pavilions raised 2.4 meters above highest astronomical tide level.

Architectural Section
06DIAGRAMS & MASSING

Off-Grid Energy & Water Flow

STAGE 01

01 Solar Catchment

STAGE 02

02 Desalination Micro-Unit

STAGE 03

03 Phytoremediation Wetland

07VISUALISATIONS & EXPERIENCES
Visualisation
08BIM / 3D STRUCTURE
EXPLODED 3D PROJECT VIEW

BIM Tectonic Layer Decomposition

SELF-SUSTAINING COMMUNITY (CONCEPT)
Explore Building Layers
Exploded 3D
Active Layer: Structure

Structure

A hybrid structural system optimized for efficiency, flexibility, and low embodied carbon concrete + mass timber.

09SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE SIMULATION

Designing with climate.

See the difference architectural solar shading and courtyard ventilation make in real time.

Without Shading
Without Shading • Higher Heat Gain | 38°C
With Shading
With Shading • Optimized Comfort | 26°C
HEAT GAIN REDUCTION
-32% Heat Gain
NATURAL VENTILATION
+45% Induced Airflow
DAYLIGHT COMFORT
+28% Glare-Free Light
10TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
PRIMARY STRUCTUREPost-Tensioned Flat Slabs & Cast In-Situ Low-Carbon Concrete
FACADE TECTONICSPerforated Terracotta Jaalis & Thermally Broken Double Glazing
WATER SECURITYCentral 3.2-Acre Retention Biosponge & Wetland Filtration
11MEASURABLE IMPACT
30 Scientists & FellowsCAPACITY
100% Net ZeroENERGY OFFSET
Aquaponic NurseryAGRO-FORESTRY
100% RecycledWATER TREATED
12CREDITS & PROJECT TEAM

Project Commission Credits

LEAD ARCHITECTMohammed Aasif
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERINGIMA Coastal Engineering
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTEcology Research Wing
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTUREIMA Studio