Red Earth

Fig: 1 - Interplanetary missions are being carried out on the regular so that human habitation can take place in these new settings.

SURVIVAL OF THE HUMAN RACE

Human society is making strides in the field of creating new habitats on the moon and mars. It is also in search of planets that are light-years away that could one day possibly take in humans as the planet we are in now is on the verge of failing catastrophically. We are sending people on missions to other planets, to space stations and satellites, to other planets to check their suitability for future human inhabitation. 

While creating a sustainable human habitat on another planet would require an inventory of the resources and geographical assets, it would also require testing to see if humans would be suited to handle conditions that are alien to them. Studies have shown that astronauts who spend over 6 months in space stations that orbit the earth experience drastic changes in their physical and mental health.

To test such and more intricate details as to human survival on another planet, we would have to conduct extensive tests and trials to check its suitability for humans, animals and plants.

Fig: 2 - Mars is a potential candidate for colonisation as the planet has been extensively studied and found capable of supporting human life with technological assistance.

MARS ON EARTH - THE ATACAMA DESERT

When it comes to simulation and test environments, it is better to choose an external environment that suits the intended objective, which would reduce the strain and energy that would be required to create one inside. 

The Atacama Desert is one such location on earth that has bioclimatic conditions that are close to extraterrestrial. It is deemed as one of the most extreme living conditions on earth to live in, with huge temperature fluctuations, high radiation levels and very little to no humidity. The area is known to have sensitive vegetative and wildlife. 

Mars, the closest planet both in terms of distance and living conditions, is an arid, dry and atmosphere less planet. The desert resembles these extreme conditions and studies have shown a variety of microbes living in the wet clay layers below the surface that could prove as an indicator for future rovers to check on mars. 

Providing a full-fledged facility that focuses on these research areas while being close to such conditions would act as a catalyst to this process.

Fig: 3 - Passenger shuttles are ready to take multiple passengers to Mars by the end of this decade and so preparations are underway.

RESEARCH AND SIMULATION FOR PLANETARY HABITATION

Brief: Design a research lab that tests living conditions for an extraterrestrial habitat. 

The facility is not just to research the elemental details of Mars using the conditions in the desert but is also to act as a simulation for how humans would react to live in such a condition, in both controlled and uncontrolled environments. It would study how a human habitat would work in such severe conditions in terms of vegetation and wildlife too.
 
The materials used in construction must also be conscious of their availability or transport to the planet. Water sourcing can be innovated upon. The desert is known to source its water from the fog that comes to the land from its cold ocean waters.  

The design must respond to the (existing) site conditions and challenges. Sustainable strategies must be employed to reduce the negative impact of design on the environment, by improving building performance, reducing waste while ensuring comfort for occupants. The site will become a landmark attracting visitors and tourists from all over.

OBJECTIVES

Ideation - Underlying thoughts behind the research facility fulfilled. The functioning of the conceptual habitat must be explained.

Purpose - How human life is orchestrated inside the habitat and looks into every aspect of extreme lifestyles.

Material + Technology - The material palette must be selected consciously keeping in mind the context, local conditions and safety (with no adverse impacts).

Modular - The solutions must be relatable to outer planet habitats and replicable with comfort and convenience.  

SITE

The site is located in the Atacama Desert, in Chile. The desert is surrounded by the Pacific Coast and the Andes mountains. It is the driest nonpolar desert with the least precipitation and much fog. The region has been known to be an experimentation site for Mars stimulation of expeditions and so on.

The terrain is stony, sand, lava and salt lakes with an arid climate and devoid of vegetation. The site is located 10 km from its closest water source the Loa river that can be used if absolutely necessary, keeping in mind that the project must be built under conditions close to that on Mars. 

Site area - 8324 sqm
Height Restriction - 15 meters
Ground Coverage - 50%
Maximum FAR - 1
Setbacks (as per CAD plan)
Coordinates - Atacama Desert, Chile

AREA PROGRAMME

The facility is to primarily accommodate 100 people as subjects and 50 staff members. The following programmatic outline is the point to begin your design at. You can add more functions and activities in relevance or modify the below design programme.

• Research Centre 65% 

Residency 
Permanent 30-40  individual and shared housing units for scientists, different professionals and onsite staff
10-15 guest rooms for visiting scientists or administration officials

Administration 
Managing/supervisor offices (2), Assistant supervisor/manager (2), Staff offices, Support staff offices, Chief Engineers cabin (2), Head scientists cabin/offices(5-6 people), Assistant scientists (8-10 people), Junior scientists (10-15 people), Conference room, Testing and medical personnel (4-6)
Participants are free to provide administration/office spaces for other scientists/professionals (20 people) they deem fit for the research and simulation centre.  

Laboratories and Research
6-10 Laboratories to study vegetation, wildlife, habitation, weather/temperature control, psychology, physiology and social behaviour of the subjects in the simulation centre,  Discussion rooms, conference/meeting halls, Equipment storage, maintenance and utility rooms

Leisure and Recreation 
Gym/fitness centre, indoor game facilities, Playground/pitch, Auditorium, Cafeteria, Common hall, Gardens, Reading rooms, Lounge, Visitor’s section, Display and exhibition hall. 

Services 
Security and CCTV control rooms, Kitchen, pantry & storage, Medical and healthcare facilities, Technical rooms and services (electrical, mechanical, cooling systems etc) 

• Simulation centre 35% 

Residency 
25-50 mars-prototype housing for test subjects - families (2-4 members) and individuals. 

Testing 
Wildlife testing module, Vegetation testing module, medical testing centres for physiological and psychological health. 

Leisure and Recreation 
Gym/fitness centre, indoor game facilities, playground/pitch, Cafeteria, Gardens, Reading rooms

Services 
Security and CCTV control rooms, Kitchen, pantry & storage, Medical and healthcare facilities, Control rooms and services. 
Any creative additions to increase the efficiency of the habitat may be added within the provided constraints.