Architects propose innovative uses for old oil tankers

In a future world without oil, what would happen to the massive, unusable oil tankers? A group of architects has suggested the tankers – some as long as 40-storey buildings – be turned into housing projects, shops, museums or even event venues in the Middle East.

Online publication Fastcoexist cited Dutch designer, Chris Collaris, as saying:  "Wealth, power and cultural enlightenment have come to this region because of its oil history. But that oil history can only be seen on big seas and ports. Why not really embed it visibly in your built culture and society? It would be so powerful and breathtaking to have this mega structure at a long beach working as a real functional building."

Collaris created the conceptual design for ‘The Black Gold’ future tanker project with Ruben Esser, Sander Bakker and Patrick van der Gronde.

He said developers in the Middle East were already pouring money into projects like artificial islands in Dubai and new skyscrapers for Abu Dhabi and attempting to create newly iconic designs. “But what could be more iconic than reusing actual oil infrastructure?” said Collaris.