ABOUT THE STUDIO

We are a multidisciplinary design company developing marine habitat infrastructure for a range of research and commercial applications. We provide products and services to architects, builders, governments and research institutions to help investigate ways we can repair and maintain ecological diversity in the marine and coastal environment. A large part of our work is dedicated to supporting and collaborating with marine researchers in multiple areas including coastal protection, eco engineering of marine infrastructure and coral farming.

Our in house design and fabrication capabilities allow us to constantly research and experiment with the latest 3D printing and casting technologies to bring new manufacturing ideas to life. We believe that collaborations between designer, scientist and community are essential to improving our relationship between the built and natural environment.

Reef Design Lab acknowledge and pay respects to the Elders and Traditional Owners of the land on which our studio stands.

The RDL Team

We are a Melbourne-based team of designers, architects, engineers and fabricators who share a love for the marine environment and are dedicated to the art of making.

As well as our in-house team, RDL has ongoing research partnerships with marine ecologists, university researchers and close relationships with specialist contractors to help us deliver industry-leading solutions to our clients.

Opportunities

We are always interested in hearing from exceptional people.

If you have experience in digital design, fabrication or project management with a background in industrial design, architecture or something similar and share our passion for the marine environment - please get in touch.

Please send your folio & CV to studio@reefdesignlab.com

Alex Goad

FOUNDING DIRECTOR

Alex is an industrial designer and founder of Reef Design Lab. He is passionate about using design as a tool for marine restoration and for communicating research to the wider public. His work combines digital fabrication with traditional techniques to create economically viable habitat solutions that respond to pressing environmental challenges. Alex leads the studio’s collaborative approach to research and product development, working closely with scientists, engineers and industry partners.

With over 13 years’ experience delivering complex international artificial reef and eco-engineering projects, Alex leads end-to-end delivery from concept design through to fabrication, construction and installation. He combines strong project leadership with hands-on technical oversight to deliver scalable, cutting-edge habitat restoration solutions.

Alex’s work has been exhibited internationally and acquired in the permanent collection of museums including New York’s MoMA, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Helsinki Design Museum. In 2024 he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Monash University.

Email: alex@reefdesignlab.com

Contact Alex through LinkedIn here.

Zac Vassallo

INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

Zac brings experience in construction, project management and design education to his role. Scuba certified, he combines his love for the ocean with a passion for environmental conservation. Developing sustainable designs that are optimised for fabrication and support the marine ecosystem is central to his practice.

Email: zac@reefdesignlab.com

Contact Zac through LinkedIn here.