Think Outside the ‘CAN’: Novel Architectural Concepts for Space Exploration
- Paper number
IAC-05-D3.2.08
- Author
Ms. Susmita Mohanty, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
- Coauthor
Dr. Maria Nyström, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
- Year
2005
- Abstract
This paper is based on a premise for a recent theoretical research project in space architecture funded by the Austrian Chancellery of Art titled: “TRANSCRIPTS OF AN ARCHITECTURAL JOURNEY: MUSINGS TOWARDS A NEW GENRE IN SPACE ARCHITECTURE”. The premise is that space architecture, like any other field of architecture, is evolving continuously and needs to be recognized as such. To better understand this evolution, the project classified aerospace architecture in to three genres: the 1st genre [Voyage d\'Esprit] comprises of concepts introduced through science fiction books and films, the 2nd genre [Man-in-a-Can] encompasses the spaceships designed and built by space agencies, and the 3rd genre [Trans-Gravity] is in its early stages and is being shaped by professional architects and designers external to the traditional domain of space agencies. This paper will present novel architectural concepts from the 3rd genre [Trans-Gravity] as case studies. The case studies will include, among others, concepts from the European Lunar Base Design Workshop [The Netherlands], Future Shelter Project [Austria], and Tate in Space [United Kingdom]. These concepts will highlight a new way of thinking, a desire to break free from the pop-can architectural paradigm that has been the primary driver of the 2nd genre designs since the 1960s. The 3rd genre [Trans-Gravity] concepts derive from bold, innovative and unorthodox thinking, the quest for a new design grammar, and a perceived need for user-oriented architectures inspired by the culture of convergence of diverse technologies and disciplines.
- Abstract document