Mankind's drive to explore and build has evolved from early shelters to aspirations of space colonization, with concepts for extraterrestrial architecture becoming increasingly tangible. Jonathan Morrison, former architecture correspondent for The Times, explores these visionary designs in his book, "How To Build a Space Station."
The book delves into the practicalities and imaginative possibilities of constructing habitats beyond Earth. It examines historical precedents, such as ancient structures aligned with celestial bodies like Stonehenge and the El Caracol Observatory, and draws lessons from human endeavors in extreme environments, including research stations in Antarctica. A brief history of space exploration is also included.
One prominent concept featured is space architect Masa Sono's vision for Mars. Sono proposes a two-year process to harvest water from the Martian surface, which would then be used to construct an "ice palace." He believes the aesthetic beauty of such a structure would significantly contribute to the mental well-being of astronauts stationed there. Morrison identifies sublimity, alongside safety and sustainability, as key criteria for designing in space.
The book addresses the potential use of extraterrestrial resources, such as regolith—the loose gravel and dust on planetary surfaces—as a building material for future habitats. It aims to make the abstract concept of buildings on other planets as vivid as if their foundations were already laid.
Morrison's work also touches upon the current pace of space development, noting NASA's plans to establish a station on the Moon within the next five years and Elon Musk's timeline for landing a man on Mars. The book is presented as a comprehensive and engaging exploration of future extraterrestrial living, blending imaginative concepts with concrete considerations.