SPECtre – A Living Laboratory for the Future of Space Architecture

Runner-up Entry | Moontrip 2019 Design by Ilko Iliev and Christopher Donatello

In an era where architecture increasingly blurs boundaries between function, form, and future-forward technologies, SPECtre stands as a radical vision of space architecture. More than just a structure, it is a fully immersive system—one that engages research, public outreach, education, and technological innovation in a single, cohesive architectural experience rooted in the wonder and complexity of space exploration. It acts not only as a museum or research hub but also as a public symbol of humanity’s ambitions beyond Earth.

Reimagining the Museum Typology

The SPECtre (Spacecraft Propulsion and Education Center) was envisioned as a publicly-accessible research and exhibition facility in Washington, D.C., aimed at advancing the public's understanding of space travel and science. It redefines the traditional museum by transforming it into a hybrid civic institution that unites exhibition, education, experimentation, and production under one roof. Unlike conventional museums that display static artifacts, SPECtre’s concept of a 'living exhibition' means that visitors witness the evolution of knowledge firsthand—observing the iterative processes of testing, development, and learning. This bold reimagining breaks down the wall between the observer and the observed, inviting the public to become part of the scientific narrative.

Programmatic Integration

SPECtre’s spatial organization is driven by an experiential design logic. It revolves around three primary cores—exhibition, research and development, and education—that spiral and intersect around a shared circulation spine. This spine does more than just connect spaces; it choreographs a layered experience for visitors, providing both panoramic views and close-up encounters with architectural and scientific moments.

To the North lies a vast exhibition gallery for spacecraft and artifacts. The South is reserved for active laboratories and mechanical testing environments. At the center, a belt of classrooms, seminar halls, and public gathering areas create an educational and communal heart. This spatial triad is stitched together by a looping, elevated walkway that encourages visitors to move fluidly between programs, enriching their understanding of the interconnected nature of science and design. Public accessibility and private innovation coexist through precise zoning and sightline control, offering openness without compromising research confidentiality.

Formal Language of Space Exploration

The formal expression of SPECtre emerges from abstract interpretations of physical concepts central to space travel: mass, vector, and gravity. These elements informed a series of gestural sketches that translated into three-dimensional forms. Mass was considered as a volumetric aggregation, vector as a trajectory through space, and gravity as the force manipulating that movement. The resulting architectural language is a direct extension of these ideas, where buildings behave like celestial bodies being pulled, pushed, and sculpted by invisible forces.

The massing culminates in dynamic forms—cantilevering structures, angular planes, and suspended bridges—that simultaneously define interior zones and outdoor terraces. The Anacostia River and Washington Monument provided visual and symbolic anchors, ensuring the building remained rooted in both site and narrative. A network of bridges and elevated walkways adds a vertical dimension to circulation, reinforcing the metaphor of space travel and gravitational shifts. The dichotomy of angular and rectilinear geometries, reflected in the lattice façade and spatial volumes, enhances both the visual identity and passive environmental performance of the building.

Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connectivity

Site integration and environmental responsiveness were key priorities in the SPECtre project. Given its location near the river and its proximity to downtown Washington, the project took a light footprint approach to minimize land disturbance and preserve urban green space. Instead of sprawling horizontally, the massing strategy stacks and lifts the building, creating a layered ground plane enriched with public parks, shaded pathways, and rooftop gardens.

Two major green zones—the North Park and South Park—provide recreational and contemplative spaces that transition seamlessly into the built environment. Terraces atop the auditorium and exhibition wings function as outdoor classrooms, while green roofs regulate temperature and collect rainwater. Bridges over landscaped courtyards allow for uninterrupted circulation and provide framed views toward the city and sky. These green interventions are not only environmental but also experiential, offering tactile, breathable transitions between nature and structure. The blend of landscape and architecture transforms the site into an interactive ecology of science, learning, and leisure.

Learning Through Participation

At the heart of SPECtre is a belief that education should be participatory and dynamic. The design emphasizes learning by doing, bringing the public into direct contact with the processes that shape aerospace technology. A publicly accessible research and development lab is situated within clear view of circulation paths, allowing visitors to observe engineers and scientists at work. Exhibits evolve in real time as physical artifacts are prototyped, tested, and refined onsite.

Educational programming extends beyond observation. Dedicated classroom spaces support youth-focused programs, including afterschool workshops, summer intensives, and mentorships. Under the guidance of industry professionals, students gain exposure to the technical, creative, and collaborative aspects of aerospace science. These programs are intentionally integrated into the building’s ecosystem, making SPECtre a year-round engine of inspiration for aspiring scientists and designers.

Rather than simply being a place to look and learn, SPECtre offers an open invitation to engage and create. It bridges the academic, professional, and public spheres—acting as both a learning incubator and a launchpad for careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM).

A Monument to a Scientific Milestone

SPECtre was conceived as both a functional institution and a commemorative landmark. Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, its design pays homage to humanity’s first steps on the Moon while projecting forward toward future missions. By aligning itself along the axis of Washington, D.C.'s major monuments, it becomes a contemporary extension of the capital’s symbolic landscape.

But while monuments of the past often emphasize permanence and symmetry, SPECtre redefines monumentality as evolution and adaptability. It is an architectural homage not frozen in time but alive with action. Its function continues the legacy it celebrates—inviting new generations to dream bigger, think farther, and contribute to the shared pursuit of space exploration.

Why This Project Matters

SPECtre matters because it offers a new model for how architecture can serve as both infrastructure and inspiration. As climate change, privatized spaceflight, and AI reshape our world, the need for civic spaces that cultivate curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking has never been greater.

This project repositions space architecture not as a niche field, but as a vital public utility—accessible to all, deeply interdisciplinary, and profoundly aspirational. It proves that architecture can do more than respond to need; it can anticipate the future and empower society to meet it.

In that sense, SPECtre is more than a museum or laboratory. It is a mission statement, rendered in steel, glass, and green—launching not just spacecraft, but ideas.