Futures of Architecture on Earth and in Space: Lessons and Synergies:

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Space Architecture. Habitats for space (and/or human bio-adaptation to existing conditions in space) will have much to contribute to life and the built-environment on Earth. The time has come to think about preparation for development of a logical, systematic, and evolutionary architecture for human expansion into the solar system, with an approach leading ultimately to the human exploration of Mars and a permanent human presence in the solar system. Likewise, it is time for international cooperation to use space to unlock new scientific knowledge and to use space technology to improve the human condition. This requires identifying clear scientific objectives and solving more complex problems than typically what an architect needs to do when designing and planning for a construct on the surface of the Earth. What has drawn humankind into space, and that now provides the impetus for human exploration of the solar system has to do with exploring the unknown and expanding human experience and knowledge of our natural world and the universe around us and finding our origins and future. Currently Space Architecture borrows from mainstream architecture to accomplish the task of ensuring human beings can live and work in space. These include the kinds of design elements one finds in small living apartments/houses, vehicle design, capsule hotels, and more. The practice of involving architects in the space program stemmed from the Space Race, and the push to extend space mission durations and address the needs of astronauts beyond minimum survival needs. Space Architecture is currently represented in several institutions. A starting point for Space Architecture theory is the search for extreme environments in terrestrial settings where humans have lived, and the formation of analogs between these environments and space, that can serve as testbeds to further development of technologies for space applications. Fundamental to Space Architecture is designing for physical and psychological wellness in space. What often is taken for granted on Earth—air, water, food, waste disposal—must be designed for in fastidious detail. The launch constraints have been a major contributor to the formation and physical shapes of Space Architecture. So far, modular architecture design has been used for designs in space, which have direct relationship with the width but also the height of modern launch vehicles limiting the size of rigid components launched into space. This means, in order to build large-scale structures in space, it requires launching multiple modules separately, and then manually assembling them in orbit. Also, due to standardized internal diameter, as well as width of pressurized rooms, the machinery and furniture need to be placed along the circumference of the spaces. A major challenge with modular architecture is finding adequate working and living space. As a solution, flexible furniture (collapsible tables, curtains on rails, deployable beds) can be used to transform interiors for different functions and change the partitioning between private and group space. The constraints—with respect to the mass during launching, as well as attention to energy economics required to support life and thermal mass, require engineers to find suitable and lighter materials with adequate physical properties, as well as integrity to withstand rapid and extreme thermal changes including the effects of radiation and corrosion with respect to the space environment—demand unique composite materials’ alternatives and usage of carbon fiber with its high strength-to-weight ratio for structural elements. Structural considerations for the orbital environment are dramatically different from those of terrestrial buildings, and the biggest challenge to holding a space station together is usually launching and assembling the components intact. The near term future of Space Architecture is likely to be limited to small-scale modular habitats with limited design life span. Aside from the need to solve the technical and logistical issues in design of the space constructs, habitats for space (and/or human bio-adaptation to existing conditions in space) will have much to contribute to life and the built-environment on Earth.