Salvaged Island: An Alternative Architectural Solution to use Aquatic Infrastructure as an Integrated Facility

Architecture in the 21st century has expanded so much that it isn’t confined in just designing and building houses, commercial spaces etc. Even abandoned infrastructures like bridges, factories, dams, rigs are being reused with the help of architectural intervention. In modern times we have seen architects turning abandoned railways to parks, abandoned factories to art exhibitions and many more. So we can see that such expensive structures which were once built with millions of dollars after their use are again put to use which enhances the beauty of architecture.

For this project, Sangu-A an aquatic infrastructure has been put to focus. Sangu-A is the first offshore Gas Rig project in Bangladesh. This gas field was discovered in 1996 in the Bay of Bengal 35km away from the land near Salimpur, Chattogram. In 1998 the offshore Gas Rig was built by Petrobangla with the help of two international companies Cairns ltd and Santos Ltd. Later in 2013 due to lack of Gas production the offshore Gas Rig was decommissioned and abandoned.

An oil platform, offshore platform, or offshore drilling rig is a large structure with facilities for well drilling to explore, extract, store, and process petroleum and natural gas that lies in rock formations beneath the seabed.

Considering the unique geographical location of the existing structure a concept, probable functions and users were first fixed for this adaptive reuse project. The massing has been generated through Wind data simulation as the wind is an important issue in this site and also proper screening is provided in the structure to resist Wind flow, Sunlight and Heat.

Functions:

In the docking zone researchers, visitors and service goods are divided using 3 different vertical circulations. On the upper floors, under the existing platform the admin and service zones of the facility is placed. And from the floors situated over the platform Laboratories, Restaurants, Exhibition Space, Visitor accommodation etc have been placed. There are 4 types of Marine Laboratories here, Marine Physics, Marine Chemistry, Marine Biology and Marine Geology which are all designed with proper sanitation, documentation and leisure zone.

For visitors and Researchers accommodation a total of 48 rooms have been provided. Proper fire safety, helipad etc is also a part of the facility.

Sustainable Energy Generation:

Electricity will be generated from Solar Energy through photovoltaic panels in the façade. Using 150w panels in the south façade almost 15% of the facilities total consumption can be generated.As Wind speed is more than usual electricity will be generated here through Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) in the facades. Almost 18% of the total electricity consumption is generated from Vertical Wind Turbines situated in the North and South façade as Wind in summer comes from south and in winter comes from north.Electricity will also be generated here through the use of Floating Modular Wave Generators generate electricity from the up-down motion of waves. 4-5 generators of 750kW can generate total energy of the facility.

The project shows how a multistoried building can be designed using an existing structure in the sea. The adaptive re-use of the Gas Rig provides new life to an old structure rather than demolishing it and also creates an example of how a building can be run through sustainable energy which also creates new opportunity in research and tourism.