Studio PAULBAUT Paul Kweton, AIA

CV, CONTACT,

@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title
@title

Oil Rig Resort (Morris Architects)

2008

Award
2008 Grand Prize, International Radical Innovation Competition HD

Considering Oil Rigs

There are approximately 4,000 oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, varying in size, depth and mobility that will be decommissioned within the next century. If a deck on one of these rigs is about 20,000 sqf, then there is potentially 80 million sqf of programmable space just off the coast of the United States. The current method for rig removal is explosion, which costs million of dollars and destroys massive amounts of aquatic life. What if these rigs were re-commissioned as exclusive resort islands? This project examines the possibilities of creating a self-sufficient, eco-friendly high-end hotel experience in the Gulf of Mexico. In a twist on the days of oil dependence, the rig begins its life anew as an ecological preserve. Taking advantage of wind energy, wave energy, and solar energy, the rig eco hotel is demonstrative of alternative fuel sources. The Rig Hotel is self sufficient with onsite eco-friendly energy production, desalinization, sea-water swimming facilities, and complete bio-degradable product use.

Program

500 hotel rooms, conference facility, spa, fitness center, dining, grand ballroom, nightly entertainment, casino, lounge and viewing tower, pool, poolside bar, pro shop, helipad