A Poetic Martian Habitat

Miami University

Project idea

The main idea of this project is to create a POETIC habitat on Mars, for the first group of people who will colonize the red planet in the future, and giving them the chance to feel like home by the spaces and activities designed, in an extreme condition like on Mars.

Project description

We all have seen many design proposals for the planet Mars. They all seem very well-engineered. I believe they lack a very important factor for the residents and their experiences; “Identity” and “Poetry”. The identity of people and their relationships, the identity of the place, and its connection with people, the identity of experiences and habits shaped through time and space. Engineers have done great so far in this realm, but I believe in order for the Mars colonists to stay sane, to survive, it’s now time for architects to play their role.
In this project, I have tried to create a Poetic Martian Habitat for the first Mars colonists who have different backgrounds and specialties.
The construction method includes using local materials and combining old building techniques with new technologies to make it functional in the extreme condition of Mars.
The habitat has different zones like Science, Engineering, and Health, but the focus of my design is on the Dwelling zone and the Community zone where all the poetry happens.

Technical information

The very cold climate and dangerous radiation on Mars has been considered by designing thick walls and domes to protect the habitat as well as the insulating material which is needed to cover the whole complex. Natural light will be directed through the light scoops to the inside the habitat which is in underground excavated spaces.
The %40 gravity on Mars will make it easy for the crew to climb the high steps to the EVA (Extravehicular Activity) spaces where they can wear the spacesuit to venture outside for researches and tasks.