WASTEWATER - Sustainable Boat Maintenance Through Adaptive Reuse Of Obsolete Wastewater Treatment Plants

The number of recreational boats increases every year. 
With this increase, areas with significant biological natural values may be at risk. To achieve sustainable development, endangered species must be protected, and biological diversity must be preserved. 
The number of recreational boats increases every year. 
With this increase, areas with significant biological natural values may be at risk. To achieve sustainable development, endangered species must be protected, and biological diversity must be preserved. 

A prerequisite for sustainable development is to minimize the release of environmentally hazardous substances. 

Unfortunately, today’s boat industry is not where it should be.  
The industry has transformed from local production and sustainable traditions into a product of the present, where mass production and “low maintenance”  trump old values. The boat has changed from being a tool to becoming an instrument for recreation. 

For many years, biocides, fuel, oil, septic waste, and many other environmentally hazardous substances have been released into the sea. This leads to undesirable conditions for biological diversity in the ocean, especially around coastal harbors. As marinas are located along the shoreline, in some of the most important and fragile spots for marine biology. It is essential that we create sustainable infrastructure to better todays conditions. Marine life has never been more vulnerable than it is now, and the situation requires that we take action. 



I will focus on the Norwegian small boat industry. There are approximately 1 million small boats and 5.4 million people in this country. More specifically, I will focus on the rituals carried out before, during, and after the boating season. There is considerable room for improvement in these phases. Before each summer, maintenance work such as boat polishing, scraping, washing, anti-fouling painting etc. is performed, leading to tons of biocides and environmental pollutants being washed directly into the sea. This work is mainly carried out in harbors or on private property.




In my Diploma, I will focus on transforming one of these obsolete buildings, which is centrally situated in Kristiansand - a city in Norway known for having one of the highest densities of boats per capita.

The program will be a translation of different rapports and analysis on the subject. It will be directly impacted by the lacking functions in todays infrastructure. From there I will be dissecting the building to investigate its construction, and see what needs to be done. 

“To repair that which is broken, the first step is to assess the damage”

Boating has deep cultural values, and research show that boating is exceptionally important for Norwegians’ mental health as a social sanctuary and place for relaxation. 
The goal is to create a hub that enhances the social and cultural aspects, as well as improves the  
collective practical knowledge.

Although the project will be uniquely adapted to this specific site, my hope is for the concept to be replicated. 








 

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Thomas Grødum Grønberg / Thomas.grodum.gronberg@stud.aho.no