Intensifying Food and Housing at Sea

Abstract

This chapter portrays emergent need in the context of climate change and rising global population, and proposes as counterpoints to megacities, resilient offshore and nearshore solutions to food production and supply, energy and wastewater management. Jack-ups, semi-submersibles and barges are repurposed into specialized vessels. Of key interest is a typology of a high-density housing on jack-up or semi-submersible to meet the rising population in capacities that surpass cities on modular floating rafts. The spatial quality of the architectural conversions capitalized on the use of derrick and deck structure, moonpool and pontoons to create spaces for communal gathering and for recreation. Infrastructure became architecture. The density and living quality of these propositions is explored through their range of communal recreation spaces. Theses are benchmarked with those of landed housing blocks in Singapore and landmark international examples.