Origins of Seacork - Biomaterial Architectural Design Studio in Vancouver, BC

What if our buildings were designed for all life instead of just human life?

Ocean Wise Seforestation graphic Seacork

INSIGHTS

Discover the Regenerative Power of Kelp Farming

Ocean Wise has recently published a report on the benefits of restoring kelp forests in British Columbia for local ecosystems, people and the climate. Read the full report here.

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“Kelp forests grow 30 times faster than trees and capture carbon in large volumes in seaweed tissue, some of which gets trapped in the ocean floor for centuries.

If we find ways to use fast-growing seaweed and work with its natural processes, seaforestation can be a powerful player in fighting climate change.”

- Ocean Wise

Sugar Kelp Farming: A Regenerative Approach

Sugar Kelp is local to the Salish Sea, and it’s farming is often paired with kelp restoration projects as our coastline has lost most of its kelp forests due to human induced activities, such as Sea Otter hunting.

Kelp farming does not replace ecosystems nor does it require any inputs like fertilizers or pesticides.

The kelp creates many layers of habitat for animals, playing a crucial role in the yearly herring spawn that revitalizes the coastal ecosystem every spring.

Sugar Kelp farming nourishes the ecosystem despite eventual harvesting, as it naturally sheds half of its mass into the ocean during its growth cycle.

AN ODE

To the Origins of Seacork

Hover over the illustrations to learn some fun facts.

As you tread towards the rugged shores of the Salish Sea, amid the whispering fucus beds, each step a delicate dance on shells and stone. Immersed in the frigid embrace of the waters, a harbor seal, curious, regards your passage, while above, a great blue heron paints the sky with grace.

Purple sea urchins graze on kelp, sunflower seastars prey on sea urchins, and endangered pinto abalones help maintain the rocky surface, fostering the growth of various kelp species.

Transitioning from the intertidal to the shallow subtidal zone, you encounter towering bull kelp forests, reminiscent of the neighboring coastal rainforests. Descending deeper, a giant pacific octopus is nestled among the bull kelp. Surfacing, you witness a young sea otter enjoying a tasty sea urchin. In the distance, Mount Baker's snowy peak emerges from the fog.

SEACORK STUDIO