no stranger to an unconventional project, XTU architects presents their latest fantastical proposal titled ‘x_lands’. the concept looks at life after oil, and in particular, what to do with all the offshore platforms that have been built in the last century to drill for the earth’s natural resources.
all images courtesy of XTU architects
mankind’s appetite for these fossil fuels has had a tremendous impact on the natural environment. as the age of oil comes to an end and countries look at utilizing renewable and greener energy sources, XTU architects proposes to tackle the symbols of the oil companies: the offshore platform.
with their immense scale, oil rig structures have an interesting potential for adaption. this project imagines the industrial monoliths transformed into poetic, habitable and exotic projects, or in other words ‘x_lands’.
imagined as bubbles or containers of housing, each proposal adds lush greenery to the industrial structures, bringing a much-needed human and natural touch to the rigs. envisioned as a ‘sustainable path for tomorrow’, the project by XTU architects aims to mark a change of paradigms.
project info:
project name: x_lands
project type: concept
architect: XTU architects
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edited by: lynne myers | designboom
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more commentsBeautiful prisons!
this reminds me of the gorillaz’ plastic beach album art!
Ditto to most of the comments here…This is simply folly and nonsense!
A CAD daydream by those that know nothing of this world and have (obviously?) too much time on their hands to speculate about such ventures…
Artistically and imagination wise…very interesting…
All of the impracticalities and harsh realities aside, these are wonderful fantasies and beautiful designs. I don’t think I’d ever care to live on a terra-formed oil rig such as these, but I’d jump at the (unlikely) chance of spending a holiday on one.
A similar idea was done back in japan Expo 75, designed by Kiyonori Kikutake. http://www.rougerie.com/eng/project/160. Did not last long, too expensive to maintain. No one will buy property there. Basic infrastructure alone will be very costly.