Diatom: The Interactive Oceanic Research And Adventure Hub Within A Repurposed Oil Rig At North Sea | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

ENI plans to retrieve the six Dewett oil platforms and bring them ashore for reuse, recycling, or disposal. This work is expected to take place sometime between 2022 and 2028.

The Diatom Research Farm will repurpose this location as a transformation hub, aligning with the rouse strategy related to decommissioned oil drilling infrastructure. Throughout this transition, a method known as plankton learning will be applied to help neutralize the seawater’s acidity, as the area remains affected by pollution from commercial shipping and ongoing oil and gas transport activities.

Given the increasing ocean acidification driven by rising sea level temperatures, the overexploitation of marine life, and climate-related disruptions that destabilize marine ecosystems, the project aligns with UK marine conservation initiatives. It incorporates an analysis of plankton abundance and activity areas to support the development of a more sustainable marine environment.

UK waters are home to thousands of species of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Changes in these communities across the North Atlantic are influenced both by natural climate fluctuations and anthropogenic ocean warming.

Approximately 14% of the UK’s marine territory has been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), covering 105 sites—80 in inshore waters, 16 offshore, and nine spanning both zones. Additionally, the UK holds one of the highest capacities in Europe for carbon dioxide storage, largely due to the geological advantages of the North Sea, making it a prime candidate for advancing carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) technologies.

Design Process

Diatom pores are generally filled with mucilage, a sticky substance, making these regions of the frustule (the diatom’s outer shell) particularly effective for adhesion when subjected to deformation. As a result, diatoms that attach to surfaces in biofouling environments tend to be more difficult to detach if their frustules contain a greater number or larger size of pores.

Phytoplanktonic diatoms, being denser than the surrounding seawater due to their silica cell walls, would naturally sink. To remain near the ocean surface, they depend on water currents and wind-driven turbulence.

In simulated conditions, diatoms grow on freshwater surfaces. The top side engages in photosynthesis, absorbing carbon dioxide and water, while the bottom surface receives oxygen and sugar, which are distributed via the central chloroplast and nuclear filter.

Based on previous analysis of plankton outer layers—which are composed of multiple pore layers arranged from larger to smaller densities—these structural features play a key role in converting CO₂ into oxygen and sugars. This understanding informs the design of an artificial “diatom tower” that mimics these natural mechanisms.

Final Outcome

Sustainable Ocean Innovation: The master plan drawing showcases the layout and design of six oil rigs repurposed into hubs of marine sustainability, featuring a pioneering diatom flow farming system. This adaptive system operates on a strength-farm concept, expanding and contracting with optimal bloom cycles to maximize diatom cultivation and ocean productivity.

Thermal Bio-Facade Design: Each rig integrates a regenerative thermal bio-facade, informed by detailed sun analysis. Strategically placed high-density windows on the south and east facades optimize natural light, enhancing diatom photosynthesis, increasing oxygen production, and supporting balanced ocean acidity. These facades merge form and function, contributing to marine health while creating a visually stunning aesthetic.

Transformative Farming System: A bird’s-eye view of the site illustrates the dynamic farming system, capable of shifting between open and closed configurations. When closed, the structure protects sensitive organisms; when open, it harnesses sunlight and nutrient-rich waters, encouraging growth and vitality in the marine ecosystem.

The rig’s structure features a state-of-the-art tensile facade, supported by high-tensile steel wires and sail fabric. This system offers self-shading, natural ventilation, and structural flexibility, embodying comfort, efficiency, and innovation.

Interactive Ocean Experience: Inside, visitors can explore the diatom ocean farm, where microscopic organisms purify seawater through a continuous liquid spiral transfer system that circulates water from the ocean depths to the roof. At the ocean bar, guests engage with the wonders of the sea in an immersive, educational environment.

Conclusion: The “Diatom” project represents the perfect fusion of innovation, sustainability, and economic viability, propelling ocean research and restoration into a new era. The project invites designers on a transformative journey that explores new frontiers in oceanic research and adventure.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]