The Gulf of Mexico is widely known to be one of the most off-shore oil platform infested areas in the world. The thousands of oil platforms scattered throughout the gulf are operational so long as oil
is available to be extracted, but what happens when the oil finally runs out? The project proposed utilizes salvaged offshore platform components and materials that are collected as scrap when the oil platform is to be demolished or abandoned, once oil is no longer available to be drawn.
As a floating structure, the research centre is able to be towed to a location where an oil spill has once occurred. without disturbing the sensitive environments that surround it, providing researchers with a facility that allows them to fully study the area and the impact of the spill on the shores, animals, and plants in chosen areas. The centre is able to fully sustain itself, providing occupants with clean water and a stable human comfort zone through the use of passive and vernacular design.
The main structure of the floating facility, a nature conservation and research centre, consists of eight derrick towers tilted to the side and attached to one another at the ends. In addition, other salvaged components are used to complete the structure including the helipad structure used to support the water purification system, the oil tanks used as floaters, the living quarters’ stairs and the steel beams of the original oil rig to create the steel frames used for floors, ceilings, and roofs.
Recipient of the SSEF Excellence Award in Steel Design from the Steel Structures Education Foundation





