The Rig Resort | Morris Architects
Golfo del Messico / Mexico / 2008
6
Si tratta dell’innovativo progetto Oil Rig Platform Resort & Spa che converte in strutture ricettive le piattaforme petrolifere ormai in disuso.
Il Rig Resort attirerebbe appassionati di sport acquatici (sailing, parasailing, moth racing, windsurfing, jetskiing e waterskiing) e darebbe la possibilità di conoscere il lussureggiante habitat sottomarino che ospita coralli rari e oltre 30.000 specie diverse di pesci. Immersioni, pesca sportiva, snorkeling e tour in sottomarino o sommergibile sono solo alcune delle attività rivolte ai turisti più avventurosi. Coloro i quali non fossero interessati all'esperienza dell’oceano potrebbero riposare sulla "spiaggia" di sabbia bianca in copertura, lungo un infinito bordo piscina. Questa destinazione richiamerebbe anche organizzatori di conferenze, imprese in cerca di una meta unica, nonché coppie e famiglie in cerca di un week-end di evasione. Il Rig potrebbe, inoltre, servire come porto di scalo per le principali navi da crociera in rotta verso altre destinazioni del Messico e dei Caraibi.
Distante miglia dalla costa, il Rig Resort funzionerà in modo autonomo tramite l'uso di energie alternative. Gli attuali impianti di perforazione offshore producono energia bruciando petrolio nei generatori termici. Ma la costa del Golfo è caratterizzata da venti costanti e intensi che potrebbero alimentare le turbine eoliche montate sulle piattaforme esistenti. E quando nel Golfo c'è vento, ci sono anche le onde. Potrebbero essere installati dei generatori di energia elettrica dal moto ondoso sia come unità fisse nelle acque più superficiali sia come boe in quelle più profonde. Per il riscaldamento e il raffreddamento, i sistemi geotermici a terra, integrati nelle attuali strutture di sondaggio e trivellazione, potrebbero essere adattati per lavorare in mare, approfittando della sua temperatura costante ai livelli più bassi. Infine, i pannelli solari potrebbero essere apposti sui derrick esistenti in un formato verticale, sul ponte stesso o anche integrati nei tralicci della piscina. Con la combinazione di queste tecnologie, il Rig Resort genererebbe più di potenza del necessario, con sistemi sovrabbondanti e completamente autosufficienti.
La sfida di Morris Architects consiste nel massimizzare l'uso delle infrastrutture esistenti, integrare componenti per attirare il viaggiatore in cerca di avventura e creare un’esperienza unica al mondo.
La ‘reef lobby’ include una reception e una zona lounge, con una splendida vista sul Golfo e un pavimento in cristallo trasparente. Nella hall vi sono continui riferimenti all’acqua che circondano l'ospite e tutta l'estetica del salotto è un’evocazione alla barriera corallina con un tocco contemporaneo.
Gli spazi sono organizzati attorno ad un nucleo di acqua, che consente alla luce di penetrare al centro del Rig. Il nucleo agisce come “zavorra” per stabilizzare il Rig durante le tempeste oceaniche e ridurre l'effetto del mal di mare. Intorno a questo "nucleo d'acqua" vi sono le zone a sedere di fronte a ogni camera per far assistere gli ospiti agli spettacoli serali svolti nella piscina profonda, simili a quelli del Cirque du Soleil di Las Vegas.
La struttura delle camere si rifà al balano di mare, il piccolo crostaceo marino che vive attaccato agli scogli e agli scafi delle navi. Progettata per adattarsi ed essere trasportata sulla piattaforma all'interno di un container standard da carico di 8'x 9' x 25', può assumere diverse configurazioni. Queste camere prefabbricate circondano il perimetro della piattaforma, creando un rapporto simbiotico con il suo cuore. Per massimizzare lo spazio, il divano utilizzato di giorno si espande diventando letto di notte. Questo pezzo d’arredamento mobile scorre sulla vasca a idromassaggio per infilarsi e adattarsi perfettamente alla nicchia della finestra, dando quasi la sensazione di dormire sull’acqua.
Il Rig Resort, oltre a più di 300 camere e suite di lusso, include anche servizi per congressi e conferenze, una grande sala da ballo per matrimoni ed eventi, un fitness center e una spa, un eliporto, negozi di alta classe, intrattenimenti notturni, casinò e un planetario.
There are approximately 4,000 oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico varying in size, depth and mobility that will be decommissioned within the next century. If a deck on one of these rigs is about 20,000 square feet, then there is potentially 80 million square feet of programmable space just off the coast of the United States.
The current method for rig removal is explosion, which costs millions of dollars and destroys massive amounts of aquatic life. What if these rigs were recommissioned as exclusive resort islands? Could the Gulf be America’s “Dubai” and the rig the artificial island on which to build it? This project examines the possibilities of creating a self-sufficient, eco-friendly high-end resort experience in our own backyard - the Gulf of Mexico.
There is no doubt the Rig Resort will attract people seeking adventure. Sailing, parasailing, Moth racing, windsurfing, jetskiing, and waterskiing are only the beginning of what can be offered. Rigs spawn lush habitats that are home to a profusion of rare corals, marine life, and an average of 10,000 to 30,000 fish each, including endangered and overfished species. Scuba, sport fishing, snorkeling, and submaring/submersible tours will appeal to the adventurer and eco-tourist alike. Those not interested in the ocean experience can find respite at the roof-top’s white sand “beach,” which includes an infinity edge pool, shallow sunbathing areas, deep water training facilities and lap pools. And through creative programming, this destination resort will also draw conference organizers, businesses in search of a memorable executive retreat, and couples and families seeking a weekend get-away. The Rig can serve as a cruise ship’s main port of call en route to other destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Miles from shore, the Rig Resort will function autonomously through the use of alternative energy. Existing offshore rigs generate power from the extremely dirty process of burning oil in thermal generators. But the Gulf Coast offers some of the highest and most consistent wind speeds in the entire U.S. Wind turbines could be mounted to existing platforms or derricks, saving the cost of building new towers and taking advantage of these wind speeds, which are strongest at the warmest time of the day. And in the Gulf, when there’s wind, there’s waves. Wave energy generators can be installed either as fixed units in shallower waters or as buoys in deeper waters. These generators use the vertical movement of waves to power turbines and create electricity. For heating and cooling purposes, land-based geothermal systems could be retrofitted to work at sea, taking advantage of constant temperatures at lower sea levels. These systems could be integrated into the existing derrick and drilling infrastructure to become the clean, modern icon for tapping the riches of the deep. And lastly, solar panels can be affixed to existing derricks in a vertical format or on the deck itself or even be integrated into poolside trellises. By combining these technologies, the Rig Resort would generate more than adequate power, with redundant systems and true self-sufficiency.
The design challenge is to maximize use of existing infrastructure, integrate components to attract the discerning luxury traveler and adventure-seeker, and create a destination experience not found anywhere else.
The ‘reef lobby’ includes a check-in/reception area and lounge area, with significant views of the gulf – including vantages through the lobby’s glass floor – as well as the deep water pool and infinity pool beyond. Ambient light illuminates the lobby, allusions to water surround the guest, and the aesthetics of the lounge evoke an ocean reef with a modern flair.
Spaces are organized around a core of water, which allows light to penetrate to the center of the rig. The core of water acts as ballast to stabilize the rig during ocean storms, and reduce the effect of sea-sickness. Further surrounding this “core of water” are seating areas in front of each guest room for evening shows performed in the deep water pool, similar to Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas ‘O’.
The structure of the guest rooms originates from the concept of sea barnacles attached to rocks and ship hulls. Designed to fit and be transported to the Rig Platform within an 8’ X 9’ X 25’ standard cargo container, the unitized room unfolds and extends to the usable configuration. These pre-fabricated rooms line the perimeter of the main platform, creating a symbiotic relationship with the core.
To maximize space, a sofa used by day expands into a bed at night. This mobile piece of furniture slides over the whirlpool tub to fit neatly into the enclosed window niche. One has the experience of nearly sleeping on water. The viewing “port” is animated to extend for surrounding views of the ocean from the guest room, with the ability to retract during foul weather, alluding to the function of sea anemones found in the region.
In a twist on the symbol of oil dependence, the rig begins its life anew as an ecological preserve. Leveraging the power of wind energy, wave energy, and solar energy, the Rig Resort demonstrates alternative fuel sources. It transforms obsolete industrial infrastructure into a vibrant component of the biosphere’s ecosystem. The Rig Resort is self-sufficient, with onsite eco-friendly energy generation, desalinization, sea-water swimming facilities, and complete bio-degradable product use. All materials used housekeeping, food service, and general use come from the sea itself and are safe to return to the sea.
Amenities of the Rig Resort include:
Over 300 guest rooms and luxury suites
World-class conference facility
Grand ballroom for weddings and events
State-of-the-art fitness center and spa
Exquisite dining including a catch-it/grill-it gourmet service
Helipad
High-end shopping
Nightly entertainment
Gaming casino
Stargazer Lounge
Pool and poolside bar
Pro shop and launch for water-based activities
Deep-water training pool for scuba training classes
Dive bell for below-rig under-sea excursions
Boat launch and boat slips for visitors
Il Rig Resort attirerebbe appassionati di sport acquatici (sailing, parasailing, moth racing, windsurfing, jetskiing e waterskiing) e darebbe la possibilità di conoscere il lussureggiante habitat sottomarino che ospita coralli rari e oltre 30.000 specie diverse di pesci. Immersioni, pesca sportiva, snorkeling e tour in sottomarino o sommergibile sono solo alcune delle attività rivolte ai turisti più avventurosi. Coloro i quali non fossero interessati all'esperienza dell’oceano potrebbero riposare sulla "spiaggia" di sabbia bianca in copertura, lungo un infinito bordo piscina. Questa destinazione richiamerebbe anche organizzatori di conferenze, imprese in cerca di una meta unica, nonché coppie e famiglie in cerca di un week-end di evasione. Il Rig potrebbe, inoltre, servire come porto di scalo per le principali navi da crociera in rotta verso altre destinazioni del Messico e dei Caraibi.
Distante miglia dalla costa, il Rig Resort funzionerà in modo autonomo tramite l'uso di energie alternative. Gli attuali impianti di perforazione offshore producono energia bruciando petrolio nei generatori termici. Ma la costa del Golfo è caratterizzata da venti costanti e intensi che potrebbero alimentare le turbine eoliche montate sulle piattaforme esistenti. E quando nel Golfo c'è vento, ci sono anche le onde. Potrebbero essere installati dei generatori di energia elettrica dal moto ondoso sia come unità fisse nelle acque più superficiali sia come boe in quelle più profonde. Per il riscaldamento e il raffreddamento, i sistemi geotermici a terra, integrati nelle attuali strutture di sondaggio e trivellazione, potrebbero essere adattati per lavorare in mare, approfittando della sua temperatura costante ai livelli più bassi. Infine, i pannelli solari potrebbero essere apposti sui derrick esistenti in un formato verticale, sul ponte stesso o anche integrati nei tralicci della piscina. Con la combinazione di queste tecnologie, il Rig Resort genererebbe più di potenza del necessario, con sistemi sovrabbondanti e completamente autosufficienti.
La sfida di Morris Architects consiste nel massimizzare l'uso delle infrastrutture esistenti, integrare componenti per attirare il viaggiatore in cerca di avventura e creare un’esperienza unica al mondo.
La ‘reef lobby’ include una reception e una zona lounge, con una splendida vista sul Golfo e un pavimento in cristallo trasparente. Nella hall vi sono continui riferimenti all’acqua che circondano l'ospite e tutta l'estetica del salotto è un’evocazione alla barriera corallina con un tocco contemporaneo.
Gli spazi sono organizzati attorno ad un nucleo di acqua, che consente alla luce di penetrare al centro del Rig. Il nucleo agisce come “zavorra” per stabilizzare il Rig durante le tempeste oceaniche e ridurre l'effetto del mal di mare. Intorno a questo "nucleo d'acqua" vi sono le zone a sedere di fronte a ogni camera per far assistere gli ospiti agli spettacoli serali svolti nella piscina profonda, simili a quelli del Cirque du Soleil di Las Vegas.
La struttura delle camere si rifà al balano di mare, il piccolo crostaceo marino che vive attaccato agli scogli e agli scafi delle navi. Progettata per adattarsi ed essere trasportata sulla piattaforma all'interno di un container standard da carico di 8'x 9' x 25', può assumere diverse configurazioni. Queste camere prefabbricate circondano il perimetro della piattaforma, creando un rapporto simbiotico con il suo cuore. Per massimizzare lo spazio, il divano utilizzato di giorno si espande diventando letto di notte. Questo pezzo d’arredamento mobile scorre sulla vasca a idromassaggio per infilarsi e adattarsi perfettamente alla nicchia della finestra, dando quasi la sensazione di dormire sull’acqua.
Il Rig Resort, oltre a più di 300 camere e suite di lusso, include anche servizi per congressi e conferenze, una grande sala da ballo per matrimoni ed eventi, un fitness center e una spa, un eliporto, negozi di alta classe, intrattenimenti notturni, casinò e un planetario.
There are approximately 4,000 oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico varying in size, depth and mobility that will be decommissioned within the next century. If a deck on one of these rigs is about 20,000 square feet, then there is potentially 80 million square feet of programmable space just off the coast of the United States.
The current method for rig removal is explosion, which costs millions of dollars and destroys massive amounts of aquatic life. What if these rigs were recommissioned as exclusive resort islands? Could the Gulf be America’s “Dubai” and the rig the artificial island on which to build it? This project examines the possibilities of creating a self-sufficient, eco-friendly high-end resort experience in our own backyard - the Gulf of Mexico.
There is no doubt the Rig Resort will attract people seeking adventure. Sailing, parasailing, Moth racing, windsurfing, jetskiing, and waterskiing are only the beginning of what can be offered. Rigs spawn lush habitats that are home to a profusion of rare corals, marine life, and an average of 10,000 to 30,000 fish each, including endangered and overfished species. Scuba, sport fishing, snorkeling, and submaring/submersible tours will appeal to the adventurer and eco-tourist alike. Those not interested in the ocean experience can find respite at the roof-top’s white sand “beach,” which includes an infinity edge pool, shallow sunbathing areas, deep water training facilities and lap pools. And through creative programming, this destination resort will also draw conference organizers, businesses in search of a memorable executive retreat, and couples and families seeking a weekend get-away. The Rig can serve as a cruise ship’s main port of call en route to other destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Miles from shore, the Rig Resort will function autonomously through the use of alternative energy. Existing offshore rigs generate power from the extremely dirty process of burning oil in thermal generators. But the Gulf Coast offers some of the highest and most consistent wind speeds in the entire U.S. Wind turbines could be mounted to existing platforms or derricks, saving the cost of building new towers and taking advantage of these wind speeds, which are strongest at the warmest time of the day. And in the Gulf, when there’s wind, there’s waves. Wave energy generators can be installed either as fixed units in shallower waters or as buoys in deeper waters. These generators use the vertical movement of waves to power turbines and create electricity. For heating and cooling purposes, land-based geothermal systems could be retrofitted to work at sea, taking advantage of constant temperatures at lower sea levels. These systems could be integrated into the existing derrick and drilling infrastructure to become the clean, modern icon for tapping the riches of the deep. And lastly, solar panels can be affixed to existing derricks in a vertical format or on the deck itself or even be integrated into poolside trellises. By combining these technologies, the Rig Resort would generate more than adequate power, with redundant systems and true self-sufficiency.
The design challenge is to maximize use of existing infrastructure, integrate components to attract the discerning luxury traveler and adventure-seeker, and create a destination experience not found anywhere else.
The ‘reef lobby’ includes a check-in/reception area and lounge area, with significant views of the gulf – including vantages through the lobby’s glass floor – as well as the deep water pool and infinity pool beyond. Ambient light illuminates the lobby, allusions to water surround the guest, and the aesthetics of the lounge evoke an ocean reef with a modern flair.
Spaces are organized around a core of water, which allows light to penetrate to the center of the rig. The core of water acts as ballast to stabilize the rig during ocean storms, and reduce the effect of sea-sickness. Further surrounding this “core of water” are seating areas in front of each guest room for evening shows performed in the deep water pool, similar to Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas ‘O’.
The structure of the guest rooms originates from the concept of sea barnacles attached to rocks and ship hulls. Designed to fit and be transported to the Rig Platform within an 8’ X 9’ X 25’ standard cargo container, the unitized room unfolds and extends to the usable configuration. These pre-fabricated rooms line the perimeter of the main platform, creating a symbiotic relationship with the core.
To maximize space, a sofa used by day expands into a bed at night. This mobile piece of furniture slides over the whirlpool tub to fit neatly into the enclosed window niche. One has the experience of nearly sleeping on water. The viewing “port” is animated to extend for surrounding views of the ocean from the guest room, with the ability to retract during foul weather, alluding to the function of sea anemones found in the region.
In a twist on the symbol of oil dependence, the rig begins its life anew as an ecological preserve. Leveraging the power of wind energy, wave energy, and solar energy, the Rig Resort demonstrates alternative fuel sources. It transforms obsolete industrial infrastructure into a vibrant component of the biosphere’s ecosystem. The Rig Resort is self-sufficient, with onsite eco-friendly energy generation, desalinization, sea-water swimming facilities, and complete bio-degradable product use. All materials used housekeeping, food service, and general use come from the sea itself and are safe to return to the sea.
Amenities of the Rig Resort include:
Over 300 guest rooms and luxury suites
World-class conference facility
Grand ballroom for weddings and events
State-of-the-art fitness center and spa
Exquisite dining including a catch-it/grill-it gourmet service
Helipad
High-end shopping
Nightly entertainment
Gaming casino
Stargazer Lounge
Pool and poolside bar
Pro shop and launch for water-based activities
Deep-water training pool for scuba training classes
Dive bell for below-rig under-sea excursions
Boat launch and boat slips for visitors
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Si tratta dell’innovativo progetto Oil Rig Platform Resort & Spa che converte in strutture ricettive le piattaforme petrolifere ormai in disuso. Il Rig Resort attirerebbe appassionati di sport acquatici (sailing, parasailing, moth racing, windsurfing, jetskiing e waterskiing) e darebbe la possibilità di conoscere il lussureggiante habitat sottomarino che ospita coralli rari e oltre 30.000 specie diverse di pesci. Immersioni, pesca sportiva, snorkeling e tour in sottomarino o sommergibile sono...
- Year 2008
- Status Unrealised proposals
- Type Adaptive reuse of industrial sites / Tourist Facilities
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