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 may 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 withoin 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.

Pressure failure on Mars

Another environmental risk that is unique to Mars, compared to the Earth, is the risk of depressurization. This can be handles in a similar way than fire safety, with doors that need to be pressure rated as well as fire rated.

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

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

Architectural design may be classified 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.

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

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

Architectural design may be classified 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.