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The Repurposed Oil Rigs Supporting Aquatic Communities with Urban Farming

Authors:
Mark Van Wasbeek, Jules Stefelmanns
The Repurposed Oil Rigs Supporting Aquatic Communities with Urban Farming
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Repurposed oil rigs form the foundation for a resilient water-based community, integrating fish farms and urban agriculture to create a sustainable habitat for future residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposed oil rigs serve as structural foundations for the community.
02
Central tower integrates multifunctional spaces for living and working.
03
Fish farms and plastic harvesting stations enhance sustainability.
04
Designed to adapt to rising sea levels and environmental changes.
05
Urban farming towers support local food production and energy generation.

The conceptual idea presents a vision for a post-sustainable urban environment set in the Netherlands in the year 2050. It addresses significant issues caused by climate change, such as rising sea levels and reduced land for agriculture. The concept revolves around a new society called Homo Maritimus, which lives on water. This community integrates residential, ecological, and technological features to create a functional and sustainable habitat.

Urban Structure

A central tower lies at the heart of the design, placed at the junction of two primary waterways. This tower serves various purposes for the water-based community. Its architectural form indicates a move toward sustainable living while acknowledging past environmental impacts. The tower acts as a center for community life, facilitating commercial activities alongside leisure spaces and promoting a lifestyle rooted in cooperation.

Community Integration

The layout encourages a close relationship between the tower and the surrounding environment. The arrangement of spaces within the tower enhances connections among residents, encouraging collaboration and resource sharing. Different zones for commercial, recreational, and residential use form a cohesive urban landscape. This organization makes the most of the available space, contributing to the overall functionality of the community while ensuring comfort for its inhabitants.

Ecological Considerations

Sustainability drives the design approach, with various ecological components included throughout the project. Surrounding the tower, there are fish farms, stations for plastic harvesting, and urban farm towers. These features highlight a commitment to environmental care. The community relies on modern agricultural techniques and renewable energy sourced from sunlight and wind, aiming for self-sufficiency in its daily operations.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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