CATALOG OF OBSOLETE INDUSTRIAL SITES
With evolving technologies, more complex regulatory and environmental policies and ever-increasing preoccupation with natural resources, architects have designed new lives for obsolete post industrial sites.
In thesis prep, we have researched industrial types that are not used for their original purpose once they reach the end of their intended life cycle.
Later, we produced a catalog of obsolete industrial types to show the new programs deployed at post-industrial sites. The catalog of sites included water towers, gasometers, underground coal tunnels, air raid shelters, former Olympic game venues and more.
Through our research, we observed that most were repurposed for recreation and pleasure purposes and we believe such uses fail to react to contemporary environmental issues and their static, non-flexible designs and programs are also bound to eventually become obsolete.
catalog of obsolete industrial types
GULF OF MEXICO | OIL EXTRACTION
Oil is one of the most valuable resources in the contemporary world and its extraction is very complicated. Offshore extraction is one of the common ways to get to oil and gas deposits. In 2010 the largest marine oil spill in history has occurred in the Gulf of Mexico and more than 4.9 million barrels have been discharged into the Atlantic ocean. Only about 25% of the released oil was collected while about 75% of it remained in the environment.
This disaster had devastating effects on the lives of many living close to the shore and the entire marine life that inhabit the Gulf of Mexico. Marine life continues to die in record numbers with infant dolphins dying at six times the normal rate. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles have been stranded at five times the rate before the spill. The oil spill has heavily decreased the health quality of those living close to the area of the oil discharge, resulting in high asthma rates, miscarriages and other severe health problems.
oil spill in gulf of mexico
asthma rates after the oil spill
deaths of dolphins and sea turtles
oil discharge on the shores
deepwater horizon oil spill in gulf of mexico
photo by los angeles times
photo by aera energy
distribution of the oil wells
in lost hills
distribution of the oil wells
in derby acres
CALIFORNIA | OIL EXTRACTION
By 1930, California was producing nearly one quarter of the world’s oil output, and its population had grown to 1.2 million. In the decades that followed, many wells closed, but even more opened, surrounded by urban and suburban growth.
oil production in kern county / california
OIL EXTRACTION IN THE URBAN FABRIC OF LOS ANGELES
location of the pumpjacks in los angeles
sources: esri + gis
pumpjakcs in the city fabric of los angeles
sources: esri + gis
TIMELINE OF CALIFORNIA'S OIL PRODUCTION
The story of oil production in California began in the late 19th century. As of 2012, California was the nation's third most prolific oil-producing state, behind only Texas and North Dakota.
CALIFORNIA'S OIL INDUSTRY IN DECLINE
Although California used to be one of the biggest oil producers in the US, its oil industry has been in decline.
As a result, the number of obsolete industrial sites will increase and our thesis will act as a prototype for their remediation by addressing climate change and depletion of resources.
Distribution of Oil Wells in Los Angeles / California
+ Active: 4.155 + Plugged: 13.662 + Idle: 2.948
Distribution of Oil Wells in Inglewood Oil Field
+ Active: 696 + Plugged: 694 + Idle: 211
INGLEWOOD OIL FIELD
After investigating various obsolete precedents, we identified a huge urban oil extraction site located in the center of Los Angeles.
Inglewood Oil Field, located in Kenneth Hahn State Park near Culver City has an unusual site in urban Los Angeles. It is entirely open to view and is developed in the traditional manner of individual pumpjacks on drilling pads. There are many homes, schools and recreation parks right adjacent to the oil field.
Today, the oil field’s boundary covers approximately 1,000 acres making it one of the largest contiguous urban oil fields in the US. Discovered in 1924 and in continuous production ever since, it has produced almost 400 million barrels of oil.
There are a total of 1600 wells and 700 of those are still active. But, the field which has been active since 1924 is now reaching the end of its lifetime.
view across the Kenneth Hahn soccer field
idle and capped wells visible from playa trail
view of inglewood oil field from the kenneth hahn recreation park
oil infrastructure next to the fairfax ave
oil infrastructure with the los angeles city fabric in the background
