The mussel basket

Smartland designed the Mussel Basket as a circular system to restore biodiversity in Utrecht's water. In urban areas, banks are often petrified and the water is turbid and nutrient-rich. Triangle mussels, natural water filters, improve water quality. The Mussel Basket is a specially designed structure attached to quay walls or houseboats where the triangle mussel likes to settle.

The circular system starts with the mussels filtering the water. Their excrement forms a nutrient medium for low moorland plants such as cattail and water gentian. This creates more aquatic plants and attracts animals, leading to an increase in biodiversity.

To increase the impact, Smartland offers the Mussel Basket as small, expandable units for houseboat residents. A ‘floating nursery’ will raise mussel baskets, after which they can do their job in the city. By doing so, we not only contribute to a cleaner water system, but also to increasing interest in nature in urban areas.

Location: Utrecht NL

Type: Product design

Status: Realised 2019

Team: Smartland