Abandoned Oil Rigs Reborn as Bustling Aquatic Villages

With all of the controversy now surrounding off shore oil exploration, we're hoping to see more and more <a href="http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/07/27000_abandoned_oil_and_gas_we.html">oil rigs</a> become obsolete. But what can be done with these massive structures after they are no longer pumping out fuel? This provocative <a href="http://inhabitat.com/oil-rig-eco-resort-by-morris-architects/">proposal</a>, which was one of the finalists for the <a href="http://www.evolo.us/architecture/winners-2011-skyscraper-competition/">2011 eVolo Skyscraper competition</a>, takes an old rig and turns it into renewable energy equipped aquatic villages.

The idea is not new, in fact the disputed worlds <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand">smallest country</a> is an old oil platform.

In the design by Ku Yee Kee, Hor Sue-Wern the reclaimed oil rig is layered in rings of habitation units sharing a center commons and recreation areas.

Beneath the water are circular labs for<a href="http://inhabitat.com/sustainable-marine-research-center-studies-tsunamis/"> marine research</a>.

Stacked units share an incredible view of the vast ocean. 

The designers looked like they were having some fun, inserting a pleasure boat launch cantilevered pool and a huge domed assembly room crowing the rig.

The former oil producing industrial structure is now laden with renewable energy technologies—a shell of solar electric panels on the roof,<a href="http://inhabitat.com/asias-first-tidal-power-plant-coming-to-india/"> tidal energy generators</a>, and a huge wind turbine at top make for a robust level of energy harvesting day and night.

The proposal is an exciting and playful design encouraging us to reconsider our <a href="http://inhabitat.com/massive-ford-assembly-building-restoration-emulates-a-green-renaissance/">abandoned industrial infrastructure</a>.

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