A proposal for a lunar habitat is the latest venture by architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM, for short) who is attempting to make its practice even more future-oriented. The project is called 'Moon Village' and is being executed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The concept makes use of inflatable architecture in the shape of pods that can potentially "balloon up to accommodate more inhabitants as the population grows." The lunar habitat is designed to answer a number of uncertainties of settlement. For example, the architectural design of the pods, their topography, properties, and arrangement is intended to offer solutions to issues related to "resiliency, self-sufficiency, and [the] use of the moon's existing resources."
Inflatable Lunar Habitats
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Envisions Possible Housing for the Moon
Trend Themes
1. Inflatable Architecture - Opportunity for creating flexible and expandable structures that can adapt to changing needs and environments.
2. Sustainable Settlements - Potential for designing habitats that use the moon's existing resources and promote self-sufficiency.
3. Collaborative Innovation - Advantage of partnership between architectural firms, space agencies, and research institutions to push the boundaries of extraterrestrial living.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Explore innovative approaches to scalable and adaptable structures for future space settlements.
2. Space Exploration - Develop new technologies and methods for sustainable living on the moon and other celestial bodies.
3. Materials Science - Investigate advanced materials and construction techniques suitable for extraterrestrial habitats and their unique challenges.