This article was taken from the July 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Finding your current location a problem? The Autopia project might be the answer -<span class="s2">- it explains how to build your own island territory.
The idea came to architect Wolf Hilbertz while he was researching ways to repair coral; he found that he could make calcium carbonate, coral's basic material, accumulate on a submerged metal mesh if he applied a low-voltage current, small enough to be supplied by solar panels.
With marine biologist Thomas Goreau, Hilbertz successfully applied the system to reefs, then to building a new artificial, sustainable island. So if you've a few spare million for set-up costs, here's how to grow your own Autopia.
Select a high spot in international waters
Find a sea mount that's not too far below the surface -- the Saya de Malha bank, near the Seychelles, was an ideal location for a research centre (it took five years to add enough material).
Stay in international waters, outside the exclusive economic zone that a country can claim up to 370 kilometres from its coast.
Install the mineral accumulators
The underlying seed framework can be constructed from basic metal mesh, reinforcing bar or chicken wire. More metal means faster accumulation -- but it also requires more electricity. The framework will need to be connected to a low-voltage supply, drawn from floating solar panels or wind turbines.
Turn your island into a business
To support yourself, you could fish or grow calcium carbonate panels and blocks from the sea to sell as carbon-neutral building materials. Biorock, (biorock.net) the company Hilbertz and Goreau established in 1997 to promote the island-building process, continues to run workshops on the restoration of coral reefs.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
