Beyond Horizons: Lunar Habitats – Architecture Competition

Submission: January 25th, 2023

Registration: January 25th, 2023

Language: English

Location: Worldwide

Prizes: $2000 USD

Type: Open for All (Fee Waiver Available)

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 at hand is the pressing need for advanced lunar habitats that can sustain human life and enhance it. Lunar residents are confronted with an array of unique challenges, including extreme environmental conditions, radiation exposure, temperature fluctuations, and prolonged isolation.

The objective is to address these complex challenges and offer lunar inhabitants a comfortable, safe, and rewarding living environment that encourages well-being and 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. The habitats should provide not just survival but a high quality of life.

Site

The competition site is set on the lunar surface, a place of extraordinary challenges and limitless possibilities. The lunar environment is unlike any on Earth and presents architects with unique 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 are essential to ensure that the lunar habitats are practical and suitable 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 extreme conditions such as 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 of utmost importance; 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 take into account the constraints of transportation to the Moon and should be modular for ease of assembly.

– The inclusion of innovative technologies and materials suitable for the lunar context is encouraged, with a focus on space exploration and scientific discovery.