Comments on: Reclaiming Oil Rigs as Oceanic Eco-Resorts

By: cswiggie

cswiggie — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:28:26 +0000

well we might as well learn to embrace living/resorting on the ocean, so that we’re ready for ‘waterworld’ when it comes

By: ckarliss

ckarliss — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:37:27 +0000

As I read Steffen’s entry and the proposal of a hotel in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico I found that the idea of casually sailing past this “eco-hotel” is almost more interesting than actually occupying it. However, the idea of habituating and reusing an abandoned oil-rig is stimulating and promotes discussion similar to BLDGBLOG’s post on “Infrastructure Domesticity.” If we turn oil rigs, items that have previously been labeled icons of waste and dirty energy, into beneficial objects that promote healthy living, the project has the potential to successfully create a new image for oil rigs. Moreover, this may be a catalyst for future projects that will attempt to turn oil mines and other forms of “dirty” energy into housing or clean energy producers. This type of innovation will be absolutely critical for our future. Certainly, the eco-hotel combines different technologies in exhilarating and inventive ways. For example, the “large vertical axis wind turbines” prove to be an original concept that enhances alternative energy concepts. As mentioned in the article, offshore turbines are more promising than onshore; thus, the hotel should study offshore wind farms such as the one being proposed off of Cape Cod, because this possibility could provide enough energy necessary for the transportation of necessary materials that are involved in constructing or running a luxury resort in the middle of an ocean. Of course, her idea is conceptual in its nature, and perhaps seems ultimately unrealistic given the deteriorating state of the economy. Currently, construction has come to a halt and such an expensive project may not be possible for copious amounts of time. Furthermore, the Gulf Cost has recently been utterly ravished by monstrous hurricanes, such as Hurricane Katrina and Rita. These hurricanes conjure images of complete devastation that dramatically contrast to the promotion of the eco-hotel as luxurious and beautiful. However if during these storms the entire hotel could convert to take full advantage of the huge amount of energy present, this transformation could become a very interesting idea in how the hotel reacts in mild and extreme weather.

By: shubh

shubh — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:57:37 +0000

It is indeed an example of dedicated collective efforts and advancement of technology. What else could be alternate best use of oil rigs? It will certainly give new experience to the visitors. Congratulation to Morris Architects for this achievement.
Advisor travel.justluxe

By: zombiejellyfish

zombiejellyfish — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:31:17 +0000

OMG! Instead of doing a ‘murder mystery’ weekend getaway you use this rig as the lair of a Bond villain with an espionage weekend!

Totally awesome.

By: kenji

kenji — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:02:44 +0000

Looking at this concept the first thing that comes to mind is ‘cabin fever’. This is far too compact to be comfortable as a resort; ie no beaches, small cabins like a cruise ship, no ‘view’ other than miles of empty ocean. Keep in mind that oil rigs are generally placed in remote and not so ideal locations. I wouldn’t pay to stay at a place like this, nevermind that I would probably need to own a boat to get there.

Additionally, supplying a resort uses massive resources and all but maybe some fresh veggies/herbs grown on site would need to be transported out there, all by boat. Sorry but that does not spell green to me. Calling this an ‘eco-resort’ is a joke.

I’m all for adaptive reuse but this is not the right thing to do with old oil rigs. I’m for turning oil rigs into tidal and wind powerplants.

By: John E. Fidler

John E. Fidler — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:10:19 +0000

You have just re-fined my OLD idea that I still have sculptures of from High School in 1970! So, that must mean others see the beautiful potential. Great! I’d include veg. gardens (cascading) the with a large de-salination operation.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:25:52 +0000

Funny to see the James Bond poster on the wall – I was just thinking how it looked like a bond-villain’s lair.

By: earthsmile

earthsmile — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:28:14 +0000

Add a subterranean element as well. Have part of the structure be underwater so that marine life can be viewed. Also, offer mini-submarine trips as well. Incorporate satellite barges that are floating greenhouses for food., and another satellite barge for a NanoSolar power plant. Also… double the size of the rooms. A single shipping container is not going to work, even as it gets extended.

By: limyc

limyc — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:45:52 +0000

you could even grow veggies on one of its decks and this would reduce the carbon footprint.

By: limyc

limyc — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:44:53 +0000

you even have a veggie garden on board and this would reduce the carbon footprint.

By: fritter

fritter — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:47:54 +0000

This is very cool, they need to couple it with the designs for shipping containers as moveable apartments, Then the units would be interchangeable. Employees could easily move between resorts, and those in the city that want a longer stay could move their units from the city.

By: elepski

elepski — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:21:57 +0000

Quite cool… i think this could also be a good way of starting private wind/tidal energy farms too.. ether by converting platforms directly or as a secondary effect of the resort.

By: The CruisingTalk Coffeeshop - Page 2403 - Cruising Talk

The CruisingTalk Coffeeshop - Page 2403 - Cruising Talk — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:48:08 +0000

[...] this is an interesting idea…. Inhabitat � Reclaiming Oil Rigs as Oceanic Eco-Resorts Using old oil rigs as hotel/conference centers and cruise ship stopovers….very unique and uses [...]