Mars Science City – Space Architecture Design Studio 2020

HB2 | MARS SCIENCE CITY
DESIGN STUDIO
APPROACH
WORK FROM HOME
materials of inflatable and deployable structures, which
can be efficiently packed and deployed to a greater volume
on site. The students also explored habitat typologies and
their specific characteristic of modularity, flexibility and
expansion concepts. In dependence of the mission scenario
additional transport vehicles for increased mobility and
long range exploration is required on site. Other necessary
infrastructure includes facilities for gaining and storing
energy, robotics and industrial manufacturing, in-situproducution
with on-site materials, and much more.
The Mars Science City design studio took place from March
to June 2020 at the Vienna University of Technology. During
this time, 12 projects were developed and elaborated by the
students.
As usual, the studio started at the beginning of March with
input lectures. Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger introduced
the studio topic and summarized important aspects of
going to and building on Mars. Norbert Frischauf gave an
overall input on Mars features and required technologies,
and Olivier Lamborelle talked about the work on the
International Space Station and future training facilities.
Following the input lectures, we discussed issues interested
for the students and they chose a research topic to prepare
for the design of a Mars habitation project.
The topics included basic information on Mars
characteristics, specific environmental challenges, science
opportunities and past, current and future planned missions.
Furthermore specific know-how on required technologies
for habitation design; thermal control systems, power
supply and energy stowage, shielding, maintenance and
supply, … to name a few.
Of great importance for a remote and extreme
environmental habitat on Mars are crew- and life support
systems, in-situ-resource utilisation and the implementation
of technical greenhouses for food production and
recycling. Different construction methods were analysed
and examined. Research included geometric studies, and
Overall the goal is to secure a safe and sustainable work
and living environment. For the human habitation design
challenges related to human activities include food
production, storage and recycling, hygiene and waste
collection. Social constraints and challenges include
intensive social interaction and isolation, personal space
and territorial issues. Each student team researched and
prepared their presentations on selected themes. However,
shortly before the next meeting, the course was switched
to distance learning due to Covid-19.
It was challenging, and all of us had to adapt to this new
situation. The topic of the studio was changed in that
together with the students we decided to work on a more
detailed concept for a city ON Mars.
The approach of the studio was to first translate their
their vision, of what they would like to see in a future city
on Earth, into a futuristic architectural concept. After
presentation and joint discussions, students were asked to
think of how this vision could start.
What would be needed now, in order to realize this
distant dream?
This ‚twist of thinking‘ was very challenging for the
students.
During the whole semester we could only meet online,
and students were spread around the world. Some of the
students got up early in the morning to join the sessions.
We met regularly and all meetings were open to all. Similarly
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