Beyond Horizons: Lunar Habitats

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Premise

The premise of this competition challenges participants to envision and design state-of-the-art lunar habitats that will cater to the future residents on the Moon. These lunar habitats should not only support human life but also ensure the well-being and comfort of inhabitants in the challenging environment of outer space. The primary goal is to push the boundaries of architectural design and innovation by creating lunar habitats that incorporate cutting-edge technology and advanced systems to provide lunar inhabitants with not just survival, but an exceptional quality of life.

Issue

The primary issue is the pressing need for advanced lunar habitats that can sustain and enhance human life. Lunar residents face unique challenges, including extreme environmental conditions, radiation exposure, temperature fluctuations, and prolonged isolation. The objective is to address these challenges and offer a comfortable, safe, and rewarding living environment that fosters a sense of home on the Moon.

Objective

The primary objective is to push the boundaries of architectural design by creating lunar habitats that incorporate advanced technology and systems to ensure residents’ safety and well-being, providing not just survival but a high quality of life.

Site

• The competition site is the lunar surface, a place of extraordinary challenges and limitless possibilities. The lunar environment presents unique architectural challenges.
• Lunar habitats should be designed to accommodate lunar residents without exceeding 100 square meters in base size and 5 meters in height. These constraints ensure practicality and suitability for lunar surface deployment.
• The lunar surface offers a distinct architectural canvas that requires innovative solutions to overcome challenges such as low gravity, extreme temperature variations, micrometeoroid impact protection, radiation shielding, and resource scarcity.

Constraints

• Design solutions should be suitable for lunar environments, accounting for low gravity, radiation, and temperature variations.
• Architectural plans and 3D models must be designed for habitats within a range of 100 to 500 square meters to optimize space and resource usage.
• Sustainability is crucial; designs should incorporate closed-loop systems for recycling resources and energy-efficient solutions.
• Habitat designs must prioritize astronaut safety and comfort, ensuring functionality for extended missions.
• Adherence to international space regulations and agreements is mandatory.
• Designs should consider transportation constraints to the Moon and be modular for easy assembly.
• Inclusion of innovative technologies and materials suitable for the lunar context is encouraged, with a focus on space exploration and scientific discovery.

Submission Requirements

• 2 x A1 Sheets explaining the value proposition