Reclaiming The Plastic Vortex: Oceanic Stewardship & Inhabitation

Congratulations to Jordan D’Ascenzo, recipient of the RBC Water Scholarship.

When it comes to the largest habitat on earth, the ocean, we have devastated its resources, leaving only toxic debris in our wake. How can the development of an ocean-based architecture be used as the platform for the successful remediation of the millions of tons of plastic debris that are in the oceans? This research will investigate the requirements of planning and building a self-sustaining water-based recycling structure, but also offer a deeper understanding of how to overcome the challenges of building in such a harsh environment. This thesis will explore the known extent of plastic debris currently in the North Pacific Ocean (with great emphasis on Great Pacific Garbage Patch), the successes and shortcomings of existing large man-made marine vessels, and culminating in a theoretical prototype design for a functional hub of oceanic stewardship and inhabitation. The key impacts of my research will be to not only provide a possible solution to the growing plastic problem present in the Pacific, but to also provide a prototype for the development of future ocean arcology based designs.