The 2020 Grand Prix Award for an Ocean Cleaning and Research facility conceptualised by Lenka Petrakova
The understanding of the project idea to not limit itself as a technological interface (only) but also involve communities to engage in dialogues that could impact and transform the present relationships with the marine environment was the primary motive and architectural interface behind the project concept. Therefore, the proposed design of a floating station mainly comprised of five components:
The Barrier: Floats on the water surface and moves waste towards the collector, in order to collect waste and power the turbines, to be able to harvest tidal energy.
Greenhouses: Consisting of plants along with a water desalination facility aims to optimise condensed water collection and resemble large sails to allow wind to navigate the station. Additionally, the greenhouses would be covered in solar panels to ensure sufficient power for the water reservoir’s heating (to allow the function of evaporation and desalination).
Living Quarters: Housing public spaces and support facilities that pass through the building’s centre and connect all parts, geometrically matching the ship’s keel.
The ‘8th Continent’ therefore tries to clean up the ocean while also preserving and restoring the balance in the marine ecosystem by collecting plastic debris from the surface and breaking it down further into recyclable materials. The station not only physically improves the water but creates an interdisciplinary platform, to showcase the troubling side of the marine environment.
(Text by Nikitha Sunil, Contributor at A+D)
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