Artificial reefs come in many shapes and sizes, but an industrial designer from Melbourne, Australia, is bringing fresh ideas to help restore damaged or destroyed coral reefs. Alex Goad began working on a Lego-like modular structure (MARS) during his final year at Monash University in 2013, taking about eight months to develop the final prototype. After a year in Port Phillip Bay, one of the structures is proving to be quite successful.

“We documented juvenile shellfish colonization, mature Tasmanian blennies and shrimp hiding in the specially designed protective space, and a myriad of baby fish species using the structure as a nursery,” says Goad. “A thick layer of seaweed, sponges and sea squirts are all growing among the structure as it quickly disappears under the marine growth.”

The project aims to create a cost-effective and easy way to help restore reefs worldwide — with small assembly pieces, the installations can be deployed by small boats, without the use of heavy-duty equipment.

Through Reef Design Lab, Goad says, he and his team are continuing to pursue “every available opportunity,” and have been talking to organizations and universities worldwide. Though they are still testing and refining the product, Goad hopes to have it ready by the end of 2015.

“I hope to see local divers implementing such products into areas affected by typhoons and other damage,” says Goad. “With the [recent] increase of severe weather cycles, it’s going to become more and more important to restore reef systems.”