Where seawalls protect and ecosystems thrive
A new kind of seawall is coming to Fort Lauderdale. Engineered to filter water, support marine life, and inspire a cleaner future, the Living Seawall at The Church by the Sea redefines what coastal infrastructure can be.
Watch the story behind the Living Seawall
The Living Seawall at The Church by the Sea
The Living Seawall at The Church by the Sea is transforming 860 feet of aging infrastructure into the world’s first fully integrated vertical reef seawall. Built in partnership with KindDesigns, this 3D-printed seawall will help clean over 1 million gallons of water a day once colonized by oysters —showing what’s possible when faith, science, and community work together.
Project impact by the numbers
860 linear feet
of reef-enhancing seawall
5,160 square feet
of sculpted marine habitat
1M+ gallons of water
filtered daily through oyster colonization
Target completion
February 2027
First of its kind
fully integrated vertical reef in an urban canal system
Stay informed as the project takes shape
Church receives permit for a living seawall
South Florida’s industry & innovation news for the week of July 17 A dock-style walkway at The Church by the Sea will allow visitors to view the living seawall from the water side. The church is the recipient of Fort Lauderdale’s first permit under its new Living Seawall Permit Fee Assistance Program. Cadence Landscape Design…
With $1.6 million in donations, this Fort Lauderdale church is going green — for God
The Miami Herald spotlights how Church by the Sea is helping pioneer the largest privately funded living seawall project in Florida.
Construction begins next month for the Living Seawall
One year after launching publicly, the project is entering its most exciting phase yet.
Sponsor a seawall that purifies and protects.
Your gift helps restore marine life, clean Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, and create a replicable model for climate resilience. Whether you give $100 or $1,500, every contribution helps build a cleaner, smarter future.