Martian architecture

Martian architecture covers the design of buildings for the Martian environment. Its constraints are similar to architecture on Earth, but it has to add the functions of atmospheric pressure and life support to architectural systems. There is also a requirement for radiation protection that is practically non existent on Earth. Gravity is significantly lower, as is wind pressure.

Architectural form will be constrained by the Martian environment

• As the Martian surface is non livable, architecture will usually be seen from the inside, so the esthetic of the exterior of buildings may not be of great importance. However, if the buildings are provided with windows, then external characteristics will be visible and attention to form would be valuable.
• Buildings on Mars need to be pressure vessels, this affects the number of forms available, favoring spheres and cylinders with hemispherical ends.
• The function of radiation protection and the function of pressure resistance may be separate, allowing for more variable shapes for the radiation protection elements of a building.
• The buildings on Mars need to include functions that create an entire habitat. It may be more appropriate to speak of habitats rather than buildings, with buildings existing inside habitats.
• Care must be taken with the foundations. If built on permafrost, the ground must be kept cold.
• If it is discovered that long term living in Martian gravity is bad for human health (likely, but unknown), then centrifuges for Low gravity must be included.

Life safety on Mars

One of the main functions of architecture is to protect humans from environmental threats and to provide a safe living environment

Fire on Mars

• To reduce the risk of fire on Mars, as many elements as possible must be made from incombustible materials. This becomes more difficult when plants are added to the interior environment as there represent potential fire hazards.
• Large recreational areas such as parks with trees, plans and soil are at risk from fire. To reduce the risk, Martian structure are likely to include airlocks that are accessible from any place in the habitat within a certain time of travel, that is significantly lower than the time required for a fire to gain strength. This is true for buildings on Earth as well.
• Occupied space should have at least two exit points. A particularity of habitats on Mars versus the Earth is that on Earth, the exterior of a building is considered as a safe point, while on Mars safe points will have to be within other sections of the habitats, since the Martian surface is not livable.
• Sprinklers may be used to fight fire, and should work in Martian gravity. Lowering air pressure may be another possibility that is not available on Earth but could work on Mars. As air pressure is lowered, the power of the fire is reduced since there is less oxygen available.

Pressure failure on Mars

Another environmental risk that is unique to Mars, compared to the Earth, is the risk of depressurization. This can be handled in a similar way as fire safety, with doors and airlocks that need to be pressure rated as well as fire rated. Travel distances will need to be defined, in order to determine the maximum distance between each airlock.

Life support

• Provisions must be made in Martian architecture for life support. Mechanical spaces, pressure tanks, holding tanks must be redundant and will occupy more space than similar systems on Earth.
• Power supply. Due to the requirements of life support, power supplies are more important than on Earth, as the loss of power rapidly decreases the efficiency of life support systems.

Architectural elements and systems classification systems

• By form : List of architectural concepts.
• By function: Settlement facilities
• By type of constraint: Foundation, Marsquakes, Dust storms, Asteroids, Atmospheric pressure, Low gravity
• By materials used
  • Bricks made completely or partially out of Dust and soil.
  • Plastics Good for radiation protection from light particles, but becomes brittle in Ultraviolet light.
  • Metals, particularly Iron found on Mars. (Iron is very common, and easy to extract from dust & soil.)
  • Water in the form of ice is good radiation protection. Care must be taken so that it does not sublime into the air.
  • Settlers may wish to have at least 2 meters of packed soil for radiation protection. (More for the Storm Shelter.) This also includes deep tunnels thru rock.
  • It has been suggested that molten basalt be used to 3D print Martian habitats.
  • Glass (including Smart Windows) will likely be used to let light into the habitat. Glass designed to filter out Ultraviolet light may be especially valued.

See also: List of Construction Materials.