There's enough trash floating around the the world's seas to make a metropolis––and that's precisely what one architect is proposing with this underwater city. Comprising a material called algopast, the project would be made possible by combining plastic trash with harvested algae through a renewing process of 3D printing.
The 'Oceanscrapers,' as designer Vincent Callebaut calls them, would suspend in the deep blue, down to 1,000 meters beneath the surface. The unique, organic forms are inspired by the anatomy of jellyfish––creatures that also gave the name of 'Aequorea' to this underwater city.
While the elaborate and fantastical renderings of the fictional submarine structures might look out-of-this-world, it's important to look to these as innovative, green and magical examples of how mankind can improve future infrastructure.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Ocean Trash Architecture
- The use of plastic trash and algae through 3D printing in creating underwater structures opens possibilities for sustainable and eco-friendly architecture.
- Eco-friendly 3D Printing
- The development of algopast material and the use of 3D printing technology contribute to the creation of sustainable structures.
- Underwater Metropolis
- The idea of a city built underwater reimagines how future infrastructure can be built and contributes to a sustainable future.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Architecture
- The use of algopast material and 3D printing may pave the way for innovative and sustainable building designs.
- Environmental Management
- Turning ocean trash into sustainable structures could help mitigate the effects of plastic pollution in the ocean.
- Marine Engineering
- The underwater city concept requires expertise in marine engineering and offers opportunities for innovation in underwater structures.
