“Reefs of Resistance” is a community-led intervention that reclaims threatened maritime territory in the South China Sea through ecological restoration and Indigenous strategies. In response to the militarization and environmental destruction of Subi Reef, this project proposes the regeneration of coral ecosystems using 3D-printed clay reefs aligned with natural tidal flows. These living structures not only restore marine biodiversity but also act as soft barriers against intrusion. Complementing this is a floating infrastructure network—built from bamboo and anchored by traditional rock bags—that supports fishing, trade, coral monitoring, and cultural practices. This mobile, self-sustaining community asserts presence through everyday acts of care, transforming contested waters into spaces of resilience. Soft defence mechanisms such as sonar-disrupting bubble curtains and ceremonial gongs offer non-violent protection. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and ecological justice, the project reimagines sovereignty not through force, but through a living, enduring connection to place.
