Martian architecture

Martian architecture covers the design of buildings for the Martian environment. It's 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.

• 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 form 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.

Architectural elements and systems can be classified in a number of ways:

• By form : List of architectural concepts, List of construction materials
• By function: Settlement facilities
• By type of constraint: Foundation, Marsquakes, Dust storms, Asteroids, Atmospheric pressure, Low gravity