A nonterrestrial approach to space inhabitation

This paper outlines two linked pedagogical exercises that aim to diversify and enrich the space community. The exercises engage new areas of expertise besides engineering in a collaborative process that aims to develop a framework that allows groups to go beyond previous proposals for space inhabitation. The authors propose both a studio-based collaboration and a larger scale international competition based on the premise that in order to depart from prior solutions, a nonterrestrial approach must be cultivated. A studiobased model is proposed as the architect's under-recognized value is in constructing models that lend meaningful appearance for a wide variety of users. A nonterrestrial approach is sought as previous design and space agency studios and studies have approached the problem of space inhabitation with the assumption that the model simulates a natural, given condition. This has heretofore limited the set of possible solutions. The authors here detail a new approach using a web-based framework that allows a distributed network of participants to self organize along lines of common purpose and participate in producing and adapting a shared ground through a public forum.