Skyrig: Transforming Oil Rigs into Sustainable Garden Buildings

Retrofitted Oil Rig as Garden Building

Skyrig is a groundbreaking project that replaces existing oil rigs with three high-rise modular structures, providing housing, retail, commercial, and public amenities. This innovative complex offers equitable, reliable, and sustainable living in downtown Lagos while paying homage to the city's oil industry heritage. By utilizing wind, solar, water, and biomass to generate energy, water, and food, the towers create a circular lifestyle with net-zero operational carbon emissions.

The construction of Skyrig involves transforming an oil rig into a sustainable building with a unique garden that extends from below water level up to 40 levels high. This modular construction approach not only reduces construction time but also minimizes waste and lowers carbon emissions. The integration of a garden into the building's design provides a natural oasis in the midst of the urban landscape, enhancing the overall well-being of residents and visitors.

The Skyrig complex features 40 floors, providing 1280 affordable units for work and living, along with 9000m2 of outdoor green space for the community to enjoy. This combination of sustainable design, affordable housing, and communal areas makes Skyrig a transformative project for Lagos, addressing the city's urban sprawl issue and promoting a more sustainable and efficient use of land and resources.

Oil rigs are massive structures with foundations that land at the bottom of the sea, making their conversion or transformation a unique challenge. However, Skyrig demonstrates that with creativity and innovation, these structures can be repurposed in an environmentally-friendly way, offering functional and beautiful spaces that benefit both people and the environment.

Designed by Vicky Chan, Skyrig is a testament to the power of design to address urban challenges and create a more sustainable future. By replacing old oil rigs with high-rise buildings, Lagos can not only reduce urban sprawl but also establish an iconic symbol of sustainability for the city. The incorporation of energy-efficient systems, green roofs, and renewable energy sources further enhances the environmental performance of Skyrig, making it a win-win solution for Lagos' urban development and sustainability goals.

Skyrig, with its unique approach to retrofitting oil rigs into sustainable garden buildings, has garnered recognition in the design community. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2023, which recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Skyrig's integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and contribution to a better world make it a deserving recipient of this prestigious accolade.