Architects show how disused oil rigs could be turned into floating green cities

Architects show how disused oil rigs could be turned into floating green cities featuring wind turbines, gardens and even waterfalls

  • Paris-based XTU designed incredible concept cities which tower above disused oil rigs for a future without oil
  • Mock-ups of the offshore metropolises show people living in bubble-like houses stacked on top of each other
  • One idea sees five oil rigs joined up together, with a narrow bridge linking the small, heavily-forested islands
  • Some of the images even feature small waterfalls which cascade through the buildings and into the sea below
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As much of the world faces social isolation due to the deadly coronavirus, an architectural firm may have envisaged the ultimate quarantine spot.

Paris-based XTU have designed incredible concept cities which tower above disused oil rigs in a future without the need for the fuel.

Mock-ups of the offshore metropolises show people would live in bubble-like houses stacked on top of each other, while surrounded by vegetation and wind turbines.

Mock-ups of the offshore metropolises show people would live in bubble-like houses stacked on top of each other (pictured), while surrounded by vegetation and wind turbines

Some of the cities even feature small waterfalls (pictured) which cascade down from an unknown source, through the buildings and into the sea

Some of the cities even feature small waterfalls (pictured) which cascade down from an unknown source, through the buildings and into the sea

This concept features a more traditional-looking accommodation block, with apartments looking out over the surrounding ocean

This concept features a more traditional-looking accommodation block, with apartments looking out over the surrounding ocean

One idea sees five oil rigs joined up together, with a narrow bridge linking the heavily-forested islands that have accommodation below the soil.

Some of the cities even feature small waterfalls which cascade down from an unknown source, through the buildings and into the sea.

The project, titled x_lands, imagines the offshore rigs transformed into habitable platforms for a world after the oil age.

XTU said: ‘We felt it is time to think after the oil age. For millions of years, nature has stored beneath the earth’s surface, including CO2 in the form of petroleum. For more than 100 years, humans have been extracting this resource for their needs.

A short, narrow bridge would join these two small islands that sit on the remains of oil rigs platforms, with forests and windmills also featuring

A short, narrow bridge would join these two small islands that sit on the remains of oil rigs platforms, with forests and windmills also featuring

One idea sees five oil rigs joined up together, with a narrow bridge linking the heavily-forested islands that have accommodation below the soil

One idea sees five oil rigs joined up together, with a narrow bridge linking the heavily-forested islands that have accommodation below the soil

‘By this action they put back into the atmosphere this toxic gas violently blocking the natural process that made the planet exceptionally habitable, so far unique in the universe.’

They continued: ‘We propose to tackle the symbols of these oil companies; the offshore platforms seem to us a good example.

‘Because they have an interesting capacity for mutation, from hard and industrial projects they are transformed into poetic, habitable and exotic projects.

‘It’s a sustainable and a pleasant path for tomorrow. They mark the change of paradigms.’

Oil rigs offer large surfaces to build a city on, with many being larger than two football pitches put together. There are about 120 sites in the UK, with 250 operating wells that pump out up to 25,000 barrels of oil a day.

This concept has hill areas on either side of the platform, while cranes poke out of the rig and in one of the valleys. A large drone appears to be hovering near the site

This concept has hill areas on either side of the platform, while cranes poke out of the rig and in one of the valleys. A large drone appears to be hovering near the site

For those hoping for stunning sea views from their platform, this concept may disappoint. Vegetation appears to envelope the apartments on this rig, offering limited vision of the ocean

For those hoping for stunning sea views from their platform, this concept may disappoint. Vegetation appears to envelope the apartments on this rig, offering limited vision of the ocean

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk