Museum of Maritime Remains: Civic Horizons

Set in Aberdeen’s industrial harbour, this project dismantles and radically reassembles oil rig infrastructure into a civic maritime museum. Located in the heart of Scotland’s energy coast, it critiques the hypocritical Western practice of ‘recycling’ rigs by externalising ecological and human harm to the Global South, envisioning a future of local reuse, cultural continuity and civic reclamation.

The Museum of Maritime Remains: Civic Horizons is a bold architectural proposal rooted in critical environmental and social reflection. Located in Aberdeen, Scotland, the project engages with three key issues: the often hypocritical ‘recycling’ practices of Western society, the outdated and uninspiring nature of many contemporary museums, and the lack of accessible green civic space in Aberdeen’s industrial urban context.

Drawing inspiration from Scotland’s rich maritime heritage, the project reclaims and reimagines decommissioned oil rig components—structures that continue to contribute to environmental and social harm, particularly in countries across the Global South such as Ghana, Bangladesh and Indonesia. Rather than exporting the problem, the design advocates for local responsibility and adaptive reuse, turning these massive remnants into architectural assets with minimal intervention.

Situated in the neglected port in the heart of Aberdeen, the museum aims to uplift the entire city through architectural transformation and civic activation. At its core, the project uses concrete oil rig floating pontoons—once submerged beneath the North Sea—as structural cores. Two serve as circulation towers, while a third remains hollow and open, offering an immersive spatial experience. 6x6 meter truss systems, upcycled from the original rig framework, are spanned between these cores to create flexible, adaptable volumes in which a range of functions are accommodated: museum galleries, archive rooms, restoration workshops, an auditorium, co-working spaces, and a fish restaurant. These functions are essential within a museum of the 21st century—enabling it to evolve from a passive space of display into an active civic hub for learning, making, and exchange.

Cladding is achieved using repurposed container panels and reclaimed wooden boat planks, which not only define the exterior envelope but also continue inside, bringing warmth and a sense of continuity to the interior spaces. These timber elements contrast with the raw industrial character of steel gratings, exposed pipes, and other salvaged components, which are carefully integrated to refine both exterior and interior detailing. The design culminates in two raised lookout points—constructed from the rig’s original helipad and main operation room—offering panoramic views over Aberdeen’s waterfront and standing as powerful symbols of reuse, reflection, and renewal.

Civic Horizons aims to redefine the museum typology by integrating sustainability, community engagement, and architectural storytelling. It acts not only as a place of learning but also as a civic landmark—an honest response to global environmental and political issues, expressed through a strong local voice!