Reef Wall Installation Project

Overview

A full-scale coral reef wall, sculpted, coloured and assembled entirely in the workshop.

Place: Mazatlán, Mexico
Company: Pangea Rocks
Role: Master in Artificial Rock Work
Year: 2022

Project Brief

Aquarium Reef, Mazatlán, Mexico.

Full-scale
Reef wall
2022
Built

The Challenge

Make it read as real

A aquarium reef has to read as natural rock, reef or carved stone up close, and still meet the structure, safety and schedule demands of a live build.

The Solution

Shaped and finished by hand

Scope on this project: coral reef, workshop build and colour. Delivered as Master in Artificial Rock Work with Pangea Rocks.

The Outcome

A finished aquarium reef at Reef Wall Installation, Mazatlán, Mexico.

Key Features

01

Coral Reef

Sculpted coral and reef structures for display aquariums.

02

Workshop Build

Built and finished in the workshop, then shipped for installation.

03

Colour

Colour matched to real reference so the piece reads as natural.

Visual Gallery

10 photos

Process

Typical build sequence for themed rockwork

Design
Forms, levels and colour references agreed from the concept or 3D design before work starts.
Armature
Steel bent and fixed to carry the final shape, with mesh tied over it as the base for the surface.
Shotcrete
Sprayed concrete built up over the mesh in layers to form the rock shell.
Carving
Texture, strata and cracks cut by hand while the surface is still workable.
Paint
Base coats, washes and dry brushing, worked until the surface reads as real.

Methods