This invention pertains to materials and methods relating to the biological fixation of one tissue type to another different tissue type, i.e., the fixation of cartilage to bone. A scaffold apparatus for osteochondral tissue engineering is described. The apparatus comprises regions of varying matrices which provide a functional interface between multiple tissue types. Further, a method for preparing the scaffold apparatus is provided. Methods for treating osteochondral tissue injury and cartilage degeneration using the scaffold apparatus are also described. In addition, a method for evaluating cell-mediated and scaffold-related parameters of development and maintenance of multiple tissue zones in vitro is described.