DESTINATION MOON

The Green Andromeda is a lunar base that puts the comfort of the astronauts, multifunctional use of space and the connection with ‘nature’ in the foreground.

That comfort is achieved using multifunctional modules that provide different possibilities of use. Each module contains a folding bed, multifunctional storage space for personal things, a table with a folding chair and a touch screen computer. Like the modules, the bathrooms are also multifunctional and can rotate according to function.

The pri vate modules can rotate around the center of the base and can be connected to one large module, or be completely separated from each other, depending on the users needs.

The connection with nature is implemented via the greenhouse, which permeates all underground floors. It can be reached from any part of the base, creating air for the entire base. All facilities are always moving independently of each other and continually create new shapes.

Evaluation by Marc M. Cohen

Green Andromeda is a largely agricultural colony that centers upon its plant-growth capability. Unlike the many concepts that separate the plants in greenhouses from the crew, Green Andromeda emphasizes the crew living in the same environment with the pla nts, as they would as farmers on Earth. The architects developed this concept through a storyboard and a very attractive series of hand sketches. The storyboard includes the obligatory Science Fiction plot device of a nuclear annihilation of human life on Earth, so that the Green Andromeda base becomes the only way to preserve the terrestrial and human ecosystem. However, it would be preferable to not require the threat of extinction before there is a good rationale for building a lunar base.

“The first task for the students was to invent their own future scenario for a lunar base. We were astonished, how much the students were aware of planet Earth. Some of them did not believe that human nature will change and therefore developed rather pessimistic scenarios. As a result, many teams put their efforts into developing habitable future living conditions.”

[Instructors]

Never the less, the storyboard and sketches provide considerable insight into the design approach. The sketches in particular show that the architects are thinking in multiple scales from the urban planning scale to the “flower pot” scale. In this way they developed their particular plant growth plus crew living environment concept. The module takes the overall form of a vertical cylinder with a co nvex top end dome and a flat bottom end dome. The cylindrical form unfortunately seems to be somewhat residual –other than the central core; there is no design driver to suggest why it should be cylindrical.

The concept calls for placing the module in a crater, or perhaps excavating a comparable pit if no suitable crater is available. A 12m in diameter inflatable dome covers the module. The module has four levels beneath the dome, although it is not clear the extent to which the inflatable encloses the complete module or whether there is a joint where the structure changes to another material. The upper level has a port for an airlock, and the airlock extends across the crater or pit as a bridge to the rim. The architects provide some steel construction details that are at a much higher level of detail than the rest of the project and somewhat out of place given the need to develop more of what happens on the various levels and in multiple modules. The module includes a center core elevator that provides access to each level. A vertical greenhouse area connects all habitation levels.

Within the crew living environment, the private cabins are pie-slice shaped, movable cells. By moving and joining the private modules, the crewmembers can decide to “co-habitate,” or to “breakup” and separate their private living space. The architects went a little further in considering private living arrangements than the other teams.