From Capital to Commons A Case of Class Struggle on the Moon
This project is inspired by the centuries long feud between the Capital and Commons. It presents a new Capital-Commons dynamic and details the emergence of a self-organized society from a rigid, authoritarian Lunar Government.
It is story of how both the Capitalists and the Commoners utilize the harsh lunar environment to exert pressure against each other, resulting in a delicate balance of power between the Plutocratic Government of the Moon and the Lunar Commons.
Scientific and Theoretical Discussions on the current issue of space settlements
Chapter 1 The Establishment of the Lunar Colony
Artemis Lunar City
Commons Commodification
Exploitation & Alienation
Ideological Awakening
2045
2060
2052
2065
“Commons� by Capital
True Commoning
Commons Emergence
Commons Uprising
Site Location
Luna 3 City “Artemis” Apollo 15 Landing Site Apollo 17 Landing Site
Apollo 11 Landing Site Apollo 16 Landing Site
3km
Apollo 15 Site Photos
3km
ARTemIS - 2050
In 2050, the lunar city of Artemis is a prosperous city that produces Helium-3 and space manufactured products for Earth. It is privately owned and enjoys political autonomy. A true free city.
Spaceship Launchpad
Zylon Cable
Space Elevator Anchor
The lunar space elevator enables large cargoes to be transported to and fro the Earth at a very low cost. It is invested by the Lunaport Corporation which also controls the spaceport in the city
Control Tower Worker’s Dorm
Helium-3 Storage
Regolith Processor
The Moon is rich in Helium-3 and rare earth minerals. Infinite Energy Co. is the biggest mining corporation that refines Helium-3 from Lunar Soil for nuclear fusion. The price of Helium-3 is currently worth 100x than gold in 2020.
Space Glass Factory
Optical Fibre Factory
The low gravity of the Moon enables the production 100% pure fibre optics and 3D printed organs. Artemis Industries is cofounded by top scientific institutions in the world to research on advanced low-gravity manufacturing.
Regolith Refining Worker’s Dorms Regolith Excavation
The silica and aluminum rich soil of the Moon allows large infrastructure projects using local lunar materials. The Sky Palace Construction Company built Artemis from nothing and continues to dominated the market of space infrastructure construction.
Typical Labour Camp The prosperous faรงade of the city is supported by workers that do the dirty works. A typical mining camp like this can be found at the outskirts of the city where the lunar workers operates the machineries under the instant death environment of the moon. Helium-3 Storage Water Tank
Regolith Processor
Regolith Heater Central Canteen
Habitats
According to Charles Cockell, the topology of control solidifies power to the few that controls the environmental system as they could easily threaten to shut down the oxygen supply if the workers do not obey their words, and the society will become increasingly authoritarian.
Chapter 2 Capital-created Commons to mitigate dissents
Artemis Lunar City
Commons Commodification
Exploitation & Alienation
Ideological Awakening
2045
2060
2052
2065
“Commons� by Capital
True Commoning
Commons Emergence
Commons Uprising
To resolve the problem, the companies decided to give the workers two choices. Those who wish to reject the capitalistic system can sign their name and live in relative freedom as long as he fulfill the production quota.
Lunar COOp A “Social-Enterprise” that produces space food
Lunar COOp
Radiation Protection Lava Tube Section Elevator Anchor
He3 Fusion Reactor
Natural Underground Lava Tube Constant Temp
-20oC
The fusion reactor that powers the space elevator it is originally installed here to keep away the radiation from the lunar surface for stable operation. Being protected from the elements, the commons can be constructed very cheaply compared to the surface.
Lunar COOP The reactor was retrofitted to double up as an artificial sun and an environmental system is also installed and together, they provide light, oxygen and water to the surrounding farm and residence. Radiation Protection
Artificial Sun Ground Connection Constant Temp
-20oC
Oxygen + Water Recycling
Lunar COOP
Radiation Protection
LunarCOOP Residence Constant Temp
-20oC
LunarCOOP Farm
Artificial Sun LunarCoop Residence Oxygen + Water Recycling
Farm Ring
Lunar COOP Farming System
Herbs, Greens, Fruits 98% Less Water Harvest Time = 21 days Tower Aeroponics
Stack Aeroponics
Connection to Ground
Commons residence 200 Commoners per tower x 8 = 1600 Commoners
Lunarcrete Modules In-situ PPVC Printing
Core Units
Aluminum Airlock
Lunarcret e Living Units
Lunarcrete Modules
7m
6.6 m Core Module
7m
5m Habitation Module
Lunarcrete Modules
6.4m
6.4m
6.1m
Core Module
4.4m
Habitation Module
Grow Pattern Regular System
Grow Pattern Customization
Section
Coconstruction
Tower Farms
Stack Farms
Chapter 3 An Illusion of Freedom
Artemis Lunar City
Commons Commodification
Exploitation & Alienation
Ideological Awakening
2045
2060
2052
2065
“Commons� by Capital
True Commoning
Commons Emergence
Commons Uprising
Artemis phase-3 Commodification of Lunar Resources 2060, Artemis became a popular tourist destination. A casino and hotel is constructed for the wealthy tourists and people flocked to see the historic Apollo 11 landing sites.
TO APOLLO 11 TOURIST SITE ARTEMIS HOTEL & CASINO
Artemis 2060
Artemis phase-3 Cultural Exploitation of the Commons The capitalists saw a chance to market the commons as an authentic place to experience lunar living. They opened the farm ring to the tourists and forced them to convert farming towers to landscape planters and brands their produce as Luna Burger to the tourists.
The commoners realized that as long as the capitalists are in charge, they will always find various ways to exploit their labor or culture. The apparent freedom that they have in the commons is just a sugarcoat, a superstructural illusion created to exert a more subtle form of exploitation over them .
Artemis phase-3 An Architectural Mockeryç The surface-underground design serves as a mockery to the commoner’s position of the base, where their production is exploited by the capitalists on top.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
BASE (FOUNDATION)
However, according to the same theory, the superstructure is in fact heavily influenced by the production of the base economy, this is especially true on the Moon where the only source of fresh food is from the Commons.
Independence Through Self-Production
The Lunar Coop already provides the city with fresh green vegetables and proteins in exchange for energy water and oxygen. If the commoners can start to create surplus food which they can keep for themselves and have their own supply of oxygen, they will be in a much better position to bargain with the capitalists.
Oxygen Independence
Chapter 4 Freedom in Commoning
Artemis Lunar City
Commons Commodification
Exploitation & Alienation
Ideological Awakening
2045
2060
2052
2065
“Commons� by Capital
True Commoning
Commons Emergence
Commons Uprising
Commons through CPR MODULE TYPOLOGIES
Commons through CPR ALGAE FARMS
Lunarcrete 14m
Algae Storage
10 kg algae for 1 person’s need of oxygen. 60% Protein Fast Harvest Rate (2 days)
Algae Tubes Anodized Aluminum Frame
5m
Growth Pattern ADDITION OF FARMING MODULES
Growth Pattern ADDITION OF FARMING MODULES
SPATIAL Commoning
Dorms
A COMMONS MEGAPROJECT
Shared Space Farms
A Commons Megaproject that involves mutual support, conflict, negotiation, communication and labor to manifest. The culmination of the Commoning process of a lunar commons that blends production, governance, culture, and personal interests into one integrated system. Luna Silica Glass Boxes
THE Lunar Vernacular Concrete Modules from Lunarcrete - High Ceiling - Windowless - Modular, Conforms to Grids Glass Greenhouse from Lunar Silica - Free Movement - Large Spaces - Community Events
ANODIZED ALUMINUM TRUSS
GLASS GREENHOUSE DORM MODULES
Light Aluminum structures from Lunar Aluminum - Light Construction - Long Spanning
SHARED SPACES
TALL FARMS
FARM RING
ELEVATOR ANCHOR
ALUMINUM TRUSS
GLASS GREENHOUSE ARTIFICIAL SUN
MOVEABLE CRANE
DORM MODULES
CORE MODULES
SHARED SPACES STACK FARMS ENVIRONMENT CONTROL ALGAE FARMS
FARM RING
Growth Simulations Not all commons would be able to grow into the dynamic towers like this, as it really requires the commoners to cooperate and resolve all kinds of conflicts within themselves. As the towers grow, some might stagnate after a while and some might not choose to build the greenhouses altogether. The final spatial outcome of the commons lies in the hands of the commoners.
Click Picture to Play Video
THE COMMONS CAPITAL DIVIDE