A recent push to develop Martian architecture, driven by the vision of independent space exploration companies such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX or Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, is attempting to bring to life something that has, to this point, only been seen in works of science fiction; habitable dwellings and cities on planets other than Earth.
It may still seem a bit preemptive to be talking about designing architecture for a planet like Mars, considering we are still in the preliminary stages of working out how to get humans to the surface of the Red Planet, but a complicated project such as this requires a lot of time to produce successful results. As howwegettonext.com reports, an ideal Martian habitat needs to be sustainable, have zero-energy consumption, include backup systems for its pressurized areas, and balance survival with habitability. The habitats need to make it easy for their occupants to exercise, eat, and sleep while taking into account going outside isn’t as simple as opening a door and stepping through it.
There has been no lack of ideas for Martian architecture, ideas that have employed technology such as 3D printing and inflatable habitats. But the problem with these designs, as Vera Mulyani, who describes herself as the world’s first “Marschitect,” explains, is that they focus first on the habitat and completely ignore the greater overall city that would develop later. Mulyani believes thinking about how the entire city is conceptually designed, and then focusing on the habitat, will lead to a better functioning city.
Mars City Design, a project of which Mulyani is the founder, wants to establish a base of four people on Mars and eventually grow it into a settlement the size of a small city, populated by over 1,000 people.
”It is not enough to just travel to Mars and survive, now we must develop a way in which we can sustainably live and love on Mars. It is essential that we call on a new generation of thinkers and innovators to make this a reality,” Mulyani says on the Mars City Design website.
With registration beginning this October, Mars City Design is holding a design challenge to create architecture for Mars. The main theme for the 2017 challenge is ‘Transportation,’ ranging “from the scale of pedestrian to the scale of cities.” Secondary themes include ‘Humans’ Friends’ (designing robots that imitate animals to help with tasks such as collecting food, building shelters, and mining) and ‘Energy Recycling’ (power supply and waste management).
Currently, space architecture is not a recognized or respected skill by the aerospace industry or the American Institute of Architects, but companies like Mars City Design are challenging that mentality. As the thought of human beings setting foot on another planet begins to seem less and less crazy, developing architecture for planets other than Earth not only seems realistic, but necessary.
For more information on Mars City Design, click here. To read the original article on How We get To Next, click here.
Related Stories
Sponsored | | Sep 30, 2014
What are you doing to win business and improve morale?? VDC Director Kris Lengieza shares ways to do both
Bluebeam's Sasha Reed sits down with Kris Lengieza, Director of Virtual Design and Construction for Stiles Corporation, to learn how he approaches change management. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | Sep 30, 2014
How project managers can manage technology
Not long ago, the role of a construction project manager revolved around working with people: employees, vendors, consultants, designers, subcontractors and owners. Today, project managers primarily manage information. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Sep 30, 2014
With its 'stacked volumes' scheme, 3XN wins bid to design high-rise in Sydney
By dividing the 200-meter building into five separate volumes and placing atria throughout each volume, the spaces become smaller, more intimate social environments, according to the Danish architects.
| Sep 29, 2014
Living Building vs. LEED Platinum: Comparing the first costs and savings
Skanska USA's Steve Clem breaks down the costs and benefits of various ultra-green building standards and practices.
| Sep 29, 2014
10 common deficiencies in aging healthcare facilities
VOA's Douglas King pinpoints the top issues that arise during healthcare facilities assessments, including missing fire/smoke dampers, out-of-place fire alarms, and poorly constructed doorways.
| Sep 29, 2014
Snøhetta releases final plan for terraced central library in Calgary
The competition-winning New Central Library is now in the final design stages, after two years of community engagement on the part of design firms Snøhetta and DIALOG.
| Sep 25, 2014
Jean Nouvel unveils plans for National Art Museum of China
Of the design, Nouvel describes it as inspired by the simplicity of “a single brush stroke.”
Sponsored | | Sep 25, 2014
Your business doesn’t always need to change
By now, the idea that organizations must adapt to maintain both relevance and market share is so ingrained that it’s been reduced to pithy sayings. But is constant adaptation always the best policy? SPONSORED CONTENT
| Sep 25, 2014
Bjarke Ingels headed home for latest project: Aarhus Island
Aarhus Island will be a waterside development in Denmark's second-largest city. The mixed-use development will implement Ingels' signature angled look in its residential towers.
| Sep 24, 2014
Must see: Semi-submerged hotel planned for Qatar's man-made island
Plans for a new hotel in the Persian Gulf are taking Dubai’s Palm Islands concept to a whole new level—underwater, that is.
