As the demand for the land within urban areas increases and our global population continues
to expand drastically over the last few decades, we see the rise of skyscrapers within our
urban development and residential suburbia. Such structures maximize floor area to provide
efficient and effective living conditions. Architects and engineers consistently challenge
themselves to come up with innovative techniques in order to utilize the construction site.
But we have yet to explore the vast ocean which covers about 70% of the earth’s surface.
The earth’s ocean is relatively unexplored and is seen by some as an obvious area to
colonize as our population expands. So, naturally then, there are theoretical concepts for entire
underwater communities known as ocean scrapers. So, let’s explore what they are and see
how far we have gotten in making ocean scrapers into a reality!
An ocean scraper is an airtight submerged structure which functions as a floating city
that is built offshore and can operate independently from land. This futuristic self-sufficient
structure will generate its own energy using wave, wind, and solar power. It will also
produce its own food through farming, aquaculture, and hydroponic techniques. Relying on the
natural buoyancy of their structure, ocean scrapers will be free from the constraints
of gravity and therefore in theory be built on a scale which is not possible on land.
Deep Ocean Technology unveils plans for their unique seabed tethering Underwater Discus
Hotel in Dubai. The design concept resembles the USS Enterprise from ‘Star Trek’, consisting
of several discs. One of these discs is submergible down to about 10 meters below water, in order
to allow guests to enjoy the ocean’s beauty from both the above- and below-surface perspectives.
The 11,000 square-foot underwater discs will house 21 rooms. The construction of this proposal
is in effect however the details are kept a secret. But once the project has been completed
it will be a sight to behold!
Ocean Spiral is another conceptual design that floated in 2014 by Shimizu Corporation.
This structure consists of two main elements. The first is a 500-meter-diameter spherical
city, within which a tower accommodates homes and workspaces for up to 5,000 people. The
base station at the end of the spiral would be used to excavate and cultivate natural
resources from the seabed. Furthermore, according to Shimizu Corporation, it may be possible
in the future to convert carbon dioxide into methane. This could provide additional energy
for the city. The company claims it could be ready for human habitation by 2030.
Besides structures tethered to the seabed, there are also proposals for concepts where
structures float and extend downward from the surface such as Sarly Adre bin Sarkum’s
‘water scraper’. The surface of this submerged skyscraper sustains a small forest, while
the lower levels contain spaces for its inhabitants to live and work. The building is kept upright
using a system of ballasts aided by a set of squid-like tentacles that generate kinetic
energy.
One of the most detailed concepts for an ocean scraper known as ‘Aequorea’, was proposed
in 2015 by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut. This futuristic ocean city is a self-sufficient,
non-polluting, and takes the biomimetic form of bioluminescent jellyfish, where almost
everything is located below the surface of the sea. These fictional underwater jellyfish
structures are proposed to be constructed by 3D architectural printers, using algoplast,
and presides off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Aequorea provides sustainable housing
by creating a new water civilization, accommodating up to 20,000 residents within each of its
jellyfish-like structures that extend roughly 1000 meters below sea level.
And there you have it, these are some of the conceptual designs for ocean scrapers that
are soon to become a reality! If you enjoyed this video do leave a like, share, and subscribe
if you haven’t already! Also, let us know your thoughts down below. Until then, we’ll
see you in the next one!