Seven young architects and designers from Poland working on space architecture have won a golden mention in an international competition to design the first lunar research station. Their concept is a four-unit station with a two-layer envelope, providing an efficient and safe system for living in lava caves. Get to know the details of the project by Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn and Maciej Rębisz.
The challenge of the competition organized by the Young Architects Competition (YAC) platform in cooperation with the European Space Agency Topical Team on Planetary Caves was to design a lunar base / research station. The organizers were looking for futuristic solutions and iconic architecture capable of coping with the harsh conditions of space.
The station is divided into several units
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
Architecture on the Moon
Micrometeorite impacts and extreme temperatures make the lunar surface an inhospitable environment, extremely challenging for possible infrastructure. Nevertheless, numerous studies and observations suggest that the Moon may be home to extensive underground structures of volcanic origin, known on Earth as lava caves. This network of galleries shaped like huge corridors with impressive diameters of up to 100 meters is connected to the surface through a series of wells. In these places, frequent landslides create natural ramps that provide easy access to the galleries below. It was in one such cave—Lacus Mortis—that the organizers proposed the location of the future research station.
The area around the station is connected by a network of roads
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
The competition assumed the possibility of conducting architectural interventions both on the surface of the Moon and in its interior, without any particular restrictions. The suggestion was to use local resources to produce structural elements in accordance with NASA's paradigm called In Situ Resources Utilization (ISRU). This is possible by using, for example, a mixture of regolith (weathered rock) and water to produce a lunar cement called Lunarcrete for 3D printing structures. There was also mention of using sunlight to synthesize regolith and produce bricks, for example. The regulations also included the use of prefabricated components that can be transported from Earth, but it was stressed that the current cost of transporting one kilogram of cargo is about $152,000.
Laboratory unit and with housing for workers
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
Each proposed building was to be adequately isolated from the surrounding space and be radiation-proof, and entry to the buildings should only be possible through airlocks. If the designers wanted to use glazing, they had to include appropriate obscurations. During the design work, of course, it was necessary to keep in mind that gravity on the Moon, is only 16% of Earth's gravity. The station's architecture should be planned in stages and expandable.
During the installation phase, the module inflates the shell to form a protective barrier
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
golden mention for a team from Poland!
The projects submitted from all over the world were shaded by a jury consisting of:Nicola Scaranaro (Foster+PArtners), René Waclavicek (Liquifer System Group), Xavier De Kestelier (HASSELL), Francesco Sauro (ESA Topical Team on Planetary Caves), Daniel Inocente (Blue Orgin), Julian Ocam Salazar (BIG), Melodie Yashar (ICON), Georgi Petrov (SOM), Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger (Vienna University of Technology). Three main prizes were awarded—the First Prize went to Silvio De Mio. Two golden mentions among which was the Lunae Abyssi project by the team consisting of: Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz. Other prizes included three honorable mentions and a list of finalists. You can see all the projects on the contest website.
Inspired by the retrofuturistic aesthetic that once filled the pages of science fiction novels and movie screens, our project continues the fascination with space exploration [...]. In this retrofuturistic lunar station, a new chapter of space exploration and scientific endeavor begins, one that encourages us to boldly reach for the sky while paying homage to the dreams of bygone eras," tell the authors of the Lunae Abyssi project.
moon base hidden in a cave
The moon base designed by the Poles according to the competition guidelines is located inside the Lacus Mortis lava cave. The area around the entrance to the cave is surrounded by infrastructure, which includes two 3D-printed airstrips equipped with fuel storage facilities, modular reactors and a complex network of roads connecting ISRU processing refineries with the entrance to the complex. The base consists of four self-sufficient units. Each of these units can be built from a prefabricated aluminum module imported from Earth and a two-layer inflatable outer layer. Each unit, although operating independently, contributes to the functioning of the entire habitat.
module from the observatory
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
At the entrance to the tunnel, the architects designed an observatory from which residents and tourists can view the lunar landscape. The other three units are located more than 200 meters inside the tunnel, which protects them from ionizing radiation, micrometeorites, extreme thermal conditions and static lunar regolith charges.
The second module houses research laboratories and hydroponic crops. Another serves as guest quarters, offering a variety of amenities for visitors. The last unit contains medical facilities, crew quarters and mission control rooms.
Recreational module with live plants
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
advanced technology and construction stages
To make it safe to stay in the station, the architects created a protective coating at one bar pressure. In the interiors of the units there are modular floor tiles hiding the power systems, and the walls are made according to the function and concerning radiation shielding.
Our structure combines durability and adaptability, shaping the future of space habitation, the authors argue.
The station's central module acts as a management center, supplying the necessary life support systems to subsequent units and keeping the environment pressurized. During the installation phase, the central module inflates the outer shell to a pressure of 0.5 bar, creating a protective barrier and a comfortable space made possible by lightweight suits.
Station interiors are inspired by retrofuturism
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
On the other hand, a large technical airlock makes it possible to transport modular elements to the outer shell, allowing the construction of modules and internal systems. This can create a recreational module for both crew and guests—with greenery and terraces allowing them to spend time outside without the need to wear heavy EVA suits.
interior of the living module
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
transportation and energy
For moving around the station, as well as transportation, the architects proposed a modular lander—a versatile spacecraft—and a modular rover designed for two people. The rover facilitates lunar exploration, and thanks to its crane function, it can efficiently maneuver and precisely place modules, facilitating the construction and expansion of the lunar station.
Lunar station surroundings, rover
© Paula Drozdowska, Wiktoria Dziaduła, Wojciech Fikus, Agata Mintus, Leszek Orzechowski, Jakub Pietryszyn, Maciej Rębisz
The energy needed to operate on the Moon is provided by compact nuclear reactors located outside the Lacus Mortis cave.
They are a reliable pillar of the lunar station, providing an uninterrupted power supply that is not subject to the daily rhythm on the Moon. These advanced reactors use nuclear power to generate a stable and constant source of energy, enabling continuous operation of critical systems and life support within the lunar station, regardless of the time of day or lunar lighting conditions, the authors of the awarded project explain.
