project07:A4

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A4

Workshop

Abstract

In anticipation of humanity’s return to the moon and the broader pursuit of space colonisation, extra-terrestrial architecture is becoming increasingly relevant. Lunar habitat design faces significant hurdles, mainly prohibitive transportation costs, extreme environmental hazards (such as vacuum exposure, extreme temperature fluctuations, radiation and abrasive dust), as well as the significant psychological toll of long-term isolation in high stress environments. This thesis project addresses these challenges by synthesising structural resilience with inhabitant well-being.

This research explores how biophilic design principles can be integrated with In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) additive manufacturing in the design of a habitat on the Lunar South Pole, with the aim of improving astronaut mental health and well-being. The habitat’s structure and composition acts as a shield against the harsh environment, while ISRU through Selective Laser Melting (SLM) reduces the reliance on terrestrial resources.

The habitat’s morphology is generated through computational L-systems, producing an organically branching spatial hierarchy that facilitates efficient circulation, life-support integration, and compartmentalisation for safety. This system is enclosed within metaball volumes that are optimised using Karamba3D to manage internal atmospheric pressure while providing a dynamic and organic interior landscape. Internally, the design maximises Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) through circadian lighting, acoustic comfort, thermal regulation and the integration of plant life in the life support systems to resemble the Earth’s environment.

By synthesising biophilic design principles with additive manufacturing, this project proposes a human-centric approach to lunar habitats that prioritises astronaut well-being while carefully incorporating the technical requirements to deal with the site.