An inflatable two-storey house designed as a prototype to sustain life on Mars has been revealed at the M Shed Square in Bristol, UK. Designed as a part of an ongoing public art project, the Martian House is a collaborative effort of Hugh Broughton architects, Pearce+ designers, artists Ella Good and Nicki Kent, space scientists, engineers, professors and the public.
The 53sqm structure is powered by solar panels and devised to be lightweight to resist the environmental challenges posed by the red planet, such as cosmic and galactic radiations and extreme temperature variations.
The upper storey comprises an inflatable structure made from pressurized gold-coated foil, which would be filled with regolith (Martian soil). This inflated section would rest on the Martian landscape and consist of living areas and hydroponics to aid relaxation among the inhabitants.
The lower storey containing an environmental control room, two compact bedrooms (pods) and a low-water use toilet would be built underground within existing lava tunnels. The two-person units would further connect to other pods to build a community.
The design is left open-ended and will continue to evolve with volunteer inputs throughout the project, encouraging conversation. Therefore, a space for research and experimentation, the project represents hope, scientific curiosity, collective will and creative imagination.
