Bizarre Design Project Plans Housing New Buildings Inside Refurbished Oil Tankers

An ambitious group of designers have suggested that old oil tankers could be used as an alternative to constructing new buildings.

The ‘Black Gold Project’ was devised as a way of recycling the giant vessels at the same time as adding more character to the architecture of oil-rich Arab states.

The four-man design project was created by Chris Collaris, Ruben Esser, Sander Bakker and Patrick van der Gronde.

The team argue that despite the boom in the region thanks to oil, many modern Arab State buildings including high rises, universities, hotels and museums lack character.

Chris Collaris, who lives in Utrecht, Holland, said: ‘We think the people on our planet should really think about the re-use of these big structures when they are discarded - it's a far better idea than getting scrapped.

[A bridge to leave you tongue-tied: Architects to build 150m 'knot-inspired' walkway which pedestrians can cross at different heights]
[PICTURES: Paris to have inflatable trampoline bridge across Seine?]

‘What triggered our interest was the oil tanker's enormous size, extremely clear design and the controversial story of the demolition or scrapping behind each.
 
‘At first, every aspect of such a big vessel is intimidating and overwhelming - but we thought, why not embrace it and work with it?
 
‘There is barely any chance of working with a bigger former structure than this.’