Res Communis
An investigation into the weaponization of architecture in the age of space colonization
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
Southern California Institute of Architecture 2022
Kaustubh Kulkarni
project Academic Reasearch Article instructors Eric Ghenoiu, Marcelyn Gao
article abstract
Life on the International Space Station
To do so, the article will first explore the field of space architecture and associated dark matter. Here, the dark matter is a reference to the challenges beyond the architect’s jurisdiction or table that influence a design or architectural proposal. The relevance, philosophies and challenges of this industry are crucial to the aim of investigating the violence faced by inhabitants
Armed with this knowledge, the article will then conduct case studies focused on the architecture of prominent concepts and proposals that envision human life on Mars. The red planet has long since been considered the first step in humanity’s transcendence into an interplanetary species. The habitats we build there, the society it enables will be the foundations of a truly exciting future. Ergo, I find that it is worth exploring in what ways we might see architecture weaponized, against whom the violence will be levied and the factors that influence it.
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This article will study and draw conclusions concerning the architecture we might see as we begin to colonize our cosmos. The conclusions drawn will focus on understanding and shedding light on cases of metaphysical violence that settlers might face from an architectural standpoint.
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Weaponized architecture is the exploitation of architecture’s ability to impose violence against certain bodies with the motive of controlling, discriminating or alienating.
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Purging this definition of the intentionality implied, would we be able to find instances of weaponized architecture in the spaces we design for our astronauts?
Space was declared a Res Communis upon the signing of the Outer Space Treaty in 1967. With the cold war in full swing, the threat of war moving into the frontier of space became very real. To avoid potential disaster, the Outer Space Treaty called for space to be treated without sovereignty to any nation. It brought into effect a set of international laws and principles regarding space exploration. Most interestingly, the treaty also declared space a Res Communis, the common heritage of all humankind. This idea that space belongs to us all is a truly shining moment in the history of humankind. To appreciate the same, there exists a single region on Earth that may arguably be considered res communis. Antarctica. Therefore, let me re-introduce the term Res Communis. The Latin word is used to refer to a “common thing”. A land that belongs to all. A common thing. Institutes of Justinian codified the relevant Roman law as: “By the law of nature these things are common to mankind - the air, running water, the sea, and consequently the shores of the sea.” In the context of legality, laws that define the landmass that composes Antarctica were based on Res Communis. No individual nation may claim any part of it as their own yet it remains free to explore and any architecture built there wil l not imply ownership regardless of the permanence of the structure. By declaring space a res communis, humanity came together to declare no ownership over the infinite beyond. The Outer Space Treaty was an incredibly positive step for exploration.
In the half a century that has followed the signing of this treaty, we have seen immense progress in the field of space exploration. We have had multiple successful manned and unmanned missions to the moon, launched thousands of satellites, our scientists have been armed with the incredibly powerful Hubble space telescope while the James Webb telescope is already in development. Commercial space tourism is starting to make headway with billionaires breaching the atmosphere and laying the foundations for a possibly thriving albeit exclusive industry. We have had successful unmanned missions to mars and even our first actual image of the greatest cosmic bodies we know, black holes.
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
Res Communis. The common heritage of all humankind.
Possibly, we can look past the hubris of not considering the arguable existence of extra terrestrial life or the desperation to avoid war in space; and instead appreciate the idea of the great beyond belonging to the entirety of human-kind. Fortunately, humanity has always found reason to conquer the stars. Be it the incredible resources out there that might transform our economy, to discover and learn about the universe we were born in or just simply pride. Fortunate because in the half a century that has passed we have also come to realize that our planet cannot sustain humanity indefinitely. If we as a species wish to outlive our home planet we must leave it. Driven by capitalist intentions, academic interest or through survival instinct, we collectively look to the sky as and wonder if someday the generations that follow us will not call themselves earthlings. In many ways, our ascent to an interplanetary lifestyle seems just a matter of time. For this reason, discussing the architecture being conceptualized to support human life on alien worlds is a worthwhile investment. Understanding the challenges, the background influencers and violence that space architects will have to contend with will be vital as we enter the new era. Only upon understanding these factors can we begin to analyze the weaponization that the architecture of the outer world might face and how we as architects can navigate it.
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Introduction
A cost-efficient propulsion system that can aid in exiting the lower earth orbit. The costs of this at present, excuse the pun, are astronomical. Microgravitie s play a huge role in any space program yet their effects on the human body are predominantly negative. Loss of bone and muscle structure is a common occurrence and will require better resolutions through tech, design and innovation. Archaic laws, convoluted management and bureaucracy are a double edged sword as without politics would be no space programs. Yet the politics of space exploration have not always been favorable to the industry.
Technological advancements are not an independent occurrence but a careful amalgamation of factors ranging from political motivations and economics to scientific breakthroughs. Defining and understanding space architecture and its broader ecosystem through history and current events is critical in understanding the role that architects might play in the times to come.
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Space Architecture may be defined as an emerging discipline that tries to marry the technical aspects that define spacecraft systems, the visionary nature of science fiction and the human-centric element of architecture. As the theory and practice of designing buildings or inhabited environments in outer space. Space architecture needs to be treated as a separate field for objectively obvious reasons. For space colonization to be a lucrative field requires the possibility of not just safe but comfortable, humane standards of living. Where the technical teams bring efficacy to the design, the architects are expected to bring humanity. Furthermore, the field requires collaboration at a multi disciplinary level. Legality, management, politics, business, art and life sciences are responsible for a sizable chunk of the successful advancement of space architecture and for the decisions that will one day lead to the first Martian colony.
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
The critical factors or dark matter that will define the development of the field of space architecture include but are not limited to the following.
Finally, we must discuss the identity of the discipline of space architecture itself. As a discipline in its infancy, the field is primarily still about the design of hardware systems. A shift in the methodology of establishing and manipulating spatial design to enrich the lives of the users is yet to be seen. The challenge here stems from the inability of architects to use the contemporary cartesian rationale to solve the design challenges of the field.8 Although, some architects are beginning to look at this challenge as an opportunity. As of the year 2021, the billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX venture is inseparable from humanity’s mission to colonize space. It’s biggest achievements include reusable rockets that return to the earth after orbiting the planet and the first privately funded space flights that reached the ISS. Musk has become infamous for his businesses but one of his favorite topics to discuss is his plan for the colonization of Mars by 2050 with the intention of saving humanity from an unforeseen extinction event. In a relatively recent live interview where Musk discussed his plans for the process of such a daunting, massive undertaking, he shared some insights. Plans to begin terraforming the Martian surface with nukes were abandoned upon the realisation that every warhead on the planet would be needed to accomplish the task. Further discussions lead to a vision of the habitat resembling the wild west at its initial stages of conception. The most crucial part of this discussion though was Musk’s response to the question of governance. To quote, his response was “Let the Martians decide their own fate.” Alongside Musk are other individuals, government bodies and corporations with goals of colonizing space. With a bit of luck and a whole lot of skill and work, humanity could see its first Maritan habitat within the turn of the century.
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Space Architecture, the challenges and dark matter
In an article titled The New Space Race : The Six Challenges of Extra-Terrestrial Architecture, Soledad Sambiasi describes the crucial factors that come into play when designing habitation in the extreme environments of outer space. Water efficiency and the lack of naturally available water sources are a primary concern for the survival of life. A reliable and efficient system of renewable energy and recycling define the key to a successful habitation. Extreme environments with high radiation, low pressures and lower temperaturesmake the design and construction of such habitation extremely challenging. Cost efficiency needs to meet human-centric design to create any successful solutions to the question of how we colonize the cosmos.
Residential design for a single family house. Also designed to to study the reponse of the human body to prolonged space flight. New frontier brochure by NASA, 1959
Business & Management
Policy & Law
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
Southern California Institute of Architecture 2022
Early space station concepts of a laboratories to study the reponse of the human body to prolonged space flight. New frontier brochure by NASA, 1959
Space Architecture
Sci-Fi Art & Architecture Sci-Fi architecture in art domain bridge visions and dreams to the industry through space architecture
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Education
Station designed for servicing and launghing space ships. The station is also designed to house nuclear power New frontier brochure by NASA, 1959
More than 900 feet in diameter this double wheeled space station served as a layover between the Earth and the Moon. 2001 : A space Odessey by Stanley Kubrik
Engineering Education & Outreach
Theory
Theory
Architecture
Astrophysics
Architectural education gains insights into other disciplines through space architecture
Space architecture provides reziable creativity to the space industry
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Practice
The physiological space. Tangible, structured, dimensioned and necessary for survival. This aspect is also possibly the most resolvable issue when we consider the violence a resident of mars might face. Mass produced habitats could be produced to meet all the technical , functional and survival requirements of a habitat with the use of robotics, local material and 3D printing. It is when we begin to investigate the perceptible, sociological and psychological aspects of a habitat that the violence becomes challenging to address.
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Weaponized architecture is defined by Lamber Leopold as the exploitation of architecture’s ability to impose violence against certain bodies with the motive of controlling, discriminating or alienating, usually fueled by political agendas or social constructs. He gives the example of the wall and the door and the violence they exhibit of keeping one locked away from what is within. His article also discusses the more historic and blatant application of weaponized architecture through history such as the Berlin Wall, architectural violence in Israel and Palestine imposed on the refugees as well as present day scenarios like the urban planning in cities that discriminate on the basis of economics or race. In the context of this article, we will need to adapt our view of what weaponized architecture is. Considering all the technical challenges of creating a habitat that can sustain human life on Mars for instance, our ideas of politics become obsolete. So do the ideas of race, economic strata, caste or creed. The weaponization of architecture by humans against humans would not be a consideration until we have possibly a large self sustaining city that thrives on the red planet. Initially, when our first settlers arrive, our primary concern is the violence they will face from the habitat that they are expected to inhabit. The irony of the habitat being both the shell of safety against the harsh environment whilst in some ways becoming a cage for our astronauts is very real.
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
Weaponized architecture in the context of space colonization : Architecture and Psychology
Andreas Vogler and Jesper Jorgenson discuss the psychological impact of the architectural space and environment on the human psyche by stating the relationship as profound. They highlight the balance of privacy and community supported by the spaces that enable or inhibit such interactions. The control of being at home and the psychological value of the doorway and the window. The authors of “Doors to space’’ primarily discuss their ideas in the context of long duration space flight and have categorized four spaces that are key to the psychological well being of a person in an architectural space : The physiological, perceptible, psychological and sociological.
A perceptible space is one that is defined not by the space itself as in the physiological sense but what we make of it as a user or an inhabitant through the use of our senses. Smells, sounds, visual stimuli all influence our perception of a space. The perception could be guided by our experiences, cultural backgrounds or quite simply tastes. Undeniably our comfort in a space is highly regulated by our perception of a space and this becomes even more vital when we take into account the experience an astronaut may undergo. The habitat unlike our homes on earth is all there is for the majority of time for our settlers to experience. The idea of a space being home, decorating and accessorizing are all parts of the human effort to make a space our own; which becomes constrained in most proposals for the architecture of our context. Lethargy or lack of daily stimuli could be psychologically devastating to the user. Across the world we have most cultures accepting the locking away of an individual as a form of high punishment, the analogy takes precedence in creating a space for the astronauts that does not deprive them of a perceptible space that benefits their psychology. This form of sensory deprivation is the first instance of weaponized architecture we find in a Martian habitat. Unlike what we see in Leopold Lambert’s article of intentional weaponization of architecture, we find our astronauts subjected to the violence of technically restrained design that moves away from it’s anthropological roots. Metal surfaces that present an inherent coldness visually, unchanging textures, windowless spaces that cause stagnated senses of light, air and smell are all enablers of the violence imposed on an astronaut by the perceptible architecture they inhabit. The psychological space. Explained by Vogler and Jorgensen as a space that satisfies the psychological criteria of stimulant, safety and identity to allow for self reflection and self projection. To explain the same, the authors use the example of an aircraft and the calculated interior design that allows one to maintain a sense of psychological semblance as they are essentially hurtling through the sky in a pressurized aluminum can. The interior design, the lighting, windows to the outside, flight attendants are all meant to fulfill the psychological needs of a human being for stimuli and safety.
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“Designing a habitat must take into consideration not only the functional aspects but also the mental representation and symbolic anthropological meaning.”
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Teamwork Communication Interpersonal Conflicts
Circadian rythm and sleep
Interpersonal interactions
Stress, decision making & risk taking
Sensation and perception
Recovering from trauma Mission and performance Stress management Risk assessment
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Spatial orientation Time perception Vestibular / sensorimotor Chemoreceptor habituation Hearing and noise Vision
Expedition Cognition: A Review and Prospective of Subterranean Neuroscience With Spaceflight Applications Nicolette B. Mogilever, 2018
To ensure one’s ability to self-reflect and self project requires the architects and engineers of our extraterrestrial residences to go beyond the technical solutions of survival and construction. The challenge here is not just to provide a space that can substitute for home but also to manage the anxiety, stress and psychological impact of living in a world where everything outside the shelter could kill. For any future settlement to be successful, we need to address the psychological violence through the architecture of the habitat.
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
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Sleep disorders influenced by noise and light Communication & fatigue influenced by noise Shift work and safety
The final aspect of the habitat discussed by the authors is the sociological space. One may imagine that the classification of private, public and semi public space would still apply and it would not be inaccurate. Most proposals for such a settlement take into account the requirement of the human being for individual and social experiences through their design. The sociological aspects of a space are grounding elements for this requirement of an individual. The doorway to a private room in a semi public space signifies both to the resident of the room and to other individuals sharing the extended space the sense of belonging. This principle is a subconscious acknowledgement of belonging where one may choose to engage in social activity or retreat for privacy. This ability of a space when ignored can become dangerously weaponized when discussing the mental and psychological health of the residents wreaking havoc on the mindset. Unlike the technical and technological requirements that govern the majority of current designs for space travel or even semi habitats. The distance between Mars and the Earth along with their orbital paths leave a small window of opportunity for travel between the two planets once a year. The time, energy and economic requirements of such a journey are immense and will therefore cause such travel to be limited. Astronauts and settlers will have to live in the habitats created for them for years and ideally decades to further the cause of colonization. Acknowledging and addressing the instances of space on a physiological, perceived, psychological and sociological level is a key architectural criterion in preventing the weaponization of an extraterrestrial habitat against its residents.
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Looking out of a window is visualized as an act of taking control or establishing the safety of the environment by the existence of a barrier from the outside. Although self projection is a lesser addressed criteria in terms of airplanes, when discussing the idea of surviving on an alien planet, it becomes a founding stone for one’s grasp on identity.
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How are architects and engineers working to prevent weaponized architecture in space?
The weaponization of architecture is not a preventable circumstance due to the subjective nature of what one might perceive or feel from a habitat due to factors such as background, emotional state, mindset, sociological causes or the present environment. Although, the disorienting effects of it can be minimized through the rationale applied during the design process by the architects. The psychology of disorientation based on the effects of weaponization is universal. The article by Vogler and Jorgensen argues for a more intricate and anthropocentric approach to the design of basic architectural elements such as doors and windows in a space station or surface habitat by understanding the architectural elements as possible instances of weaponization.
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The Mars Dune Alpha project by NASA is an exciting proposal to discuss. Subcontracted to ICON and designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group, it envisioned a 3D printed habitat for the red planet. The aim of this contract is to simulate a crew’s experience of living on Mars. Through the simulation, the crew’s health both mental and physical will be monitored along with their performance in the environment presented to them. The structure will consist of 3D printed walls composed of refined martian soil, enclosing a layout planned for private and shared zones for living and work. Aesthetically and functionally, the groups have accomplished the task of creating a livable space for four researchers to inhabit.
An external view of the project, lovingly called a Pied-a-terre on the Martian surface
Mars Dune Alpha is equipped with an indoor aquaponic vegetable nursery, a gym, a treatment room, and various areas for lounging and working.
In an article by Zahra Tayeb for the Insider, thestrategies utilized by the architects to moderate the weaponized nature of this extraterrestrial habitat are highlighted. Customizable private rooms, varying ceiling heights, fixed and movable furniture, customizable lighting, temperature and sound control are all meant not only to be functional aspects of the space to enable the daily needs of the users but also to manage the violence of the architecture in the harsh environment. Yet instances of architectural violence that may be incurred by the habitants is quite evident. Even when designed by a prominent and accomplished architecture group like BIG, collaborating with NASA.
Although the project is planned to avoid the monotony of spaces, it seems inevitable due to the construction process. A striking lack of windows is also noticeable in the habitat due to safety concerns regarding radiation. Artificial sound and light can only go so far before having psychological impacts on the users. Despite the fact that this is possibly the most accomplished proposal to date in terms of creating a habitable space in such a harsh environment, we must address certain undeniable moments of involuntary weaponization. Customizable private rooms, varying ceiling heights, fixed and movable furniture, customizable lighting, temperature and sound control are all meant not only to be functional aspects of the space to enable the daily needs of the users but also to manage the violence of the architecture in the harsh environment. Yet instances of architectural violence that may be incurred by the habitants is quite evident. Even when designed by a prominent and accomplished architecture group like BIG, collaborating with NASA. Although the project is planned to avoid the monotony of spaces, it seems inevitable due to the construction process. A striking lack of windows is also noticeable in the habitat due to safety concerns regarding radiation. Artificial sound and light can only go so far before having psychological impacts on the users. Despite the fact that this is possibly the most accomplished proposal to date in terms of creating a habitable space in such a harsh environment, we must address certain undeniable moments of involuntary weaponization.
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
ICON’s vulcan 3D Printing in Progress
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Mars Dune Alpha Project by BIG Architects and NASA The home’s various functions can be programmed to help regulate the crew’s circadian rhythms
He had what he calls an epiphany in space when he was looking at the earth from his vantage point on the moon. Digital Art imagining a Martian penthouse By Chritian Hecker
He felt from every cell in his body that he was connected to everything and everyone. He was ecstatic. He felt we were all made from the same thing. Stardust.
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Mindy Howard on the experience of Dr. Edgar Mitchell, an astronaut of the Apollo 13 mission
Visualisation of Abiboo’s utopian Matian City Nuwa Built into a cliff and designed to house a population of 250,000 people on the surface of Mars
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
The challenges that the architects and engineers will face are immense and they will have to go to great lengths to negotiate the anthropocentric and psychological elements along with the technical, functional and safety factors of a habitable space so far from home. This discussion and the terminology of referring to the architecture as weaponized may seem harsh with respect to the sheer immensity of this challenge due to the connotation of weaponized being intentional. It is not meant to enunciate the intent of the designers but to communicate the possible mindset of the user and their relationship with what will be the bounds of their home. In her TED talk, Mindy Howard highlights a phenomenon called a peak experience that happens to astronauts when they look back upon the Earth from space, otherwise called the overview effect. She highlights the experience of Dr. Edgar Mitchell, one of the astronauts of Apollo 13. “He had what he calls an epiphany in space when he was looking at the earth from his vantage point on the moon. He felt from every cell in his body that he was connected to everything and everyone. He was ecstatic. He felt we were all made from the same thing. Stardust.” This endearing sentiment should define the approach we take as we design the habitats on Mars, Titan and beyond. Despite the technical requirements, the bureaucracy, economic challenges and the infinite trials that await our arrival in space, the missions to be undertaken are meant for humanity. So let’s design for our astronauts as if they are
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Conclusion
Childers, Tim. Elon Musk says we need to live in glass domes before we can terraform Mars.2021, November 2. For Popular Mechanics. Retrieved December 3, 2021, From https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/ a34738932/elon-musk-glass-domes-terraforming-mars/. Fellmeth, Aaron X. and Horwitz, Maurice. Guide to Latin in International Law. 2009. From https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/ acref/9780195369380.001.0001/ cref-9780195369380 Howard, Mindy for TEDx Talks, Train your fear away, like an astronaut | Mindy Howard |TEDxYouth@BSN. November 28 2017, Accessed December 01 2021. From https://youtu.be/iS6DGlUmIkk ICON & BIG Architects For Nasa. Mars Dune Alpha Project, August 2021. From https://www.designboom.com/architecture/icon3d-printed-mars-habitat-nasa-bjarke-ingels-groupbig-08-08-2021/ Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, Building a Marsbase is a Horrible Idea: Let’s do it! 2019. Retrieved 2021. From https://youtu.be/uqKGREZs6-w
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Leopold, Lambert, Weaponized Architecture: Deconstructing the logic of architectural violence, 2013. Retrieved 2021. Loria, K. (2018, June 2). Having sex and reproducing in space comes with serious scientific and ethical problems. we may need to create a new species of human to make it work. Business Insider. Retrieved December 3, 2021, From https://www.businessinsider.com/mars-colonyreproduction-complications-2018-5.
Maiztegui, B. (2021, April 5). Architecture on mars: Projects for life on the red planet. ArchDaily. Retrieved December 3, 2021, From https://www.archdaily.com/959087/architecture-on-mars-projects-for-life-on-the-red-planet. Morrell, George F. If London were on Saturn, The Magnificent Spectacle Presented by the Rings as Seen from Latitude 5. 1910. From, https://artmuseum.princeton.edu/transient-effects/painter-sun/northern-lights-and-worldsbeyond/imagining-un-seeable-early-space-artists—-timeline/timeline-early-space-art
Kaustubh Kulkarni / Res Communis
Barresi, Paul .Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law and Policy. 23 (1): 47.2012. Retrieved 2014. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Res_communuis
Ravenscroft. Tom. Abiboo envisions cliff face city as “Future capital of mars”. 7 April 2021. For Dezeen. Retrieved December 1, 2021. From https://www.dezeen.com/2021/04/07/nuwa-mars-city-cliffside-abiboo/. Ravenscroft. Tom. Watch a fly-through of Mars City designed for quarter of a million people. 2021, April 12. For Dezeen. Retrieved December 3, 2021. From https://www.dezeen.com/2021/04/08/video-mars-city-nuwa-abiboo/. Sambiasi, Soledad. The New Space Race: 6 challenges for extraterrestrial architecture. ArchDaily. 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2021, From https://www.archdaily.com/928955/the-new-space-race-6-challenges-for-extraterrestrialarchitecture. Tayeb, Z. A Texas firm that builds 3D-printed homes is helping to create NASA’s fake martian habitat, where people will spend a year. take a look. 2021, August 15. For Business Insider. Retrieved December 1, 2021. From https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-mars-martian-habitat-icon-3d-printed-spacetexas-2021-8 Vogler, Andreas and Jorgensen,Jesper. Windows to the world - Doors to Space, a reflection on the psychology and anthropology of space architecture, 2004. From https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255589707_Windows_to_the_world_-_Doors_to_ Space_-_a_reflection_on_the_psychology_and_anthropology_of_space_architecture. Wickramatunga, Robert. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. The Outer Space Treaty.N.D. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/ introouterspacetreaty.html. Wong, David Yu-King. Space Architecture - An Overview and its Relationship with the General Architecture Profession, 2003. From http://starlightarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/aiaa-2003-6237.pd
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