Thais Zuchetti

Lunar Lessons: habitat for interplanetary living

Lunar Lessons is the design of a planetary habitat aimed at a knowledge transfer between the Moon and Earth. The idea is to learn from the Moon what does it take to live in an unlivable place, so we could perhaps apply such lessons to an alien Earth in the future. On the other hand, the learnings from Earth are an immediate alternative to the coming space exploration settlements, that often are envisioned and developed to look so clinical, cramped and provide just the bare minimum for astronauts.

Through the process, it became clear the fact that "cramped" and “bare minimum" conditions to its inhabitants are not exclusive characteristics of lunar habitats; The lessons from the Moon are closer to home than what we expect. With this realization, "Lunar Lessons: Habitat for planetary living" is in fact, a project about the people (regardless of which planet they are). Thinking of the people, the Moon base is designed designed from the perspective of wellbeing of the crew, bringing in conceptual architecture techniques from Earth to simulate not only the variety of spaces and atmospheres we are used back in our planet but also the interactions of people and the rituals from home.

Graduation date:: 29 January 2024
Graduation committee: Stephan Verkuijlen (mentor), Bernard Foing, Natalie Dixon
Additional members for the exam: Raul Corrêa-Smith, Rachel Keeton