LenkaPetráková, the lead designer of Zaha Hadid Architects developed an innovative design concept called 8th Continent. It is an award-winning floating station concept to rid the ocean of plastic waste.
We all are aware of how plastic pollution is affecting our lands, waterways, and oceans. LenkaPetráková said, “I realized how destroyed the oceans are and how many species are extinct, how much pollution is there, and that the parts that may have never seen a human being, feel the effects of our activities,”
So, she comes up with an impressive “mini continent” concept that collects waste in the ocean and then breaks it down for recycling. It was recently awarded the 2020 Grand Prix Award for Architecture and Innovation of the Jacques Rougerie foundation.
This mini continent not only removes plastic from the ocean but also has an ocean plastic recycle center. The entire platform is self-sufficient, as it generates its energy using wave energy and solar panels.
Designed for the Pacific Ocean, the structure consists of five main parts:
- The Barrier for collecting waste and harvesting tidal energy
- The Collector for sorting, biodegrading, and storing waste
- The Research and Education Centre for inhabitants to study, and displaying the impacts on our oceans
- The Greenhouses, where plants are grown, and water is desalinated
- The Living Quarters where people live
“The live-giving ocean is suffering, and we need to help restore its balance for our planet’s survival,” said LenkaPetráková. “We cannot achieve it only by technology, but we need an interdisciplinary platform to educate people and change their relationship with the marine environment for the generations to come. “
