Modular Habitats Comprising Rigid and Inflatable Modules

IAC-24-E5-IP-25-x86091, 2024

This proposal refers to the design of a modular space habitat that transforms and adapts according to different mission planning and needs, with a focus on the "human factor" framework and the philosophy of habitability. To this direction, the two terms that drove the architectural development of the habitat were adaptability and transformability. It was clear that a design solution that would embrace and respond to different scenarios, would be the most suitable design choice as many different missions with different unique characteristics and needs arise. Furthermore, the use of transformable spatial systems has the ability to improve the qualitative factors of space and increase, through that, the psychological comfort of people. In addition to architectural variability, this proposal makes extensive use of lighting design and projection mapping as main tools in order to address the multitude of scenarios, but also to reduce the harmful effects of extreme environments in human health and psychology. Lighting scenarios are used to increase productivity and human health, through qualitative and quantitative evaluation. Projection mapping serves as a vital tool in extreme and confined environments, transforming any surface into a canvas for dynamic visuals. This capability not only enhances the immersive experience for viewers but also provides a much-needed escape and stress relief in demanding conditions, therefore promoting mental well-being.

The design workshop is a central part of the academic module on “Industrialized housing” within the MSc in Industrialized and Prefab Architecture, at the Faculty of Architecture, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia (Spain). The workshop constitutes an opportunity for students to get acquainted with several aspects of “4th dimension architecture” applied to housing, particularly on the articulation of levels and domains of control. This feature is made patent by changing the roles of students from designers to users during the workshop. This year, the main objective was to bring a “4th dimension” input to the CEU-UCH proposal for the Solar Decathlon Europe 2012. Students were asked to outline a design strategy that should allow turning the single family module of the competition into a prototype for collective, multistorey, adaptable housing. The paper’s aim is dual: on the one hand it illustrates the background, development and results of the workshops held during the Master...

A small-diameter modular pressure vessel system is devised that can be applied to planetary surface and deep space human exploration missions. As one of the recommendations prepared for the NASA Human Spaceflight Architecture Team (HAT) Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC), a compact modular system can provide a Mars-forward approach to a variety of missions and environments. Small cabins derived from the system can fit into the Space Launch System (SLS) Orion "trunk", or can be mounted with mobility systems to function as pressurized rovers, in-space taxis, ascent stage cabins, or propellant tanks. Larger volumes can be created using inflatable elements for long-duration deep space missions and planetary surface outposts. This paper discusses how a small-diameter modular system can address functional requirements, mass and volume constraints, and operational scenarios.

2009

In space we find an extreem vacuum. Human beings need an atmosphere to survive. This makes inflatables most apt for use in human space flight. Savings in weight and packaging volume are perfect for getting them off ground. With the development of TransHab, NASA made a big step forward in proofing the technology-readiness of using inflatables for human space habitat. Protection of micro-meteorites and radiation proofed to be even better than in the aluminium ISS Module. The shape of TransHab was based on a toroid. The sphere is the natural shape of a flexible skin with an inside pressure and naturally combining maximum volume with minimum surface (insulation/protection etc). It is astonishing why this very efficient shape has not been used more often for space applications. This paper will investigate on a concept level the possibilities of a sphere for use in microgravity and planetary habitats. Possibilities for habitats for 1-2 person, 6 persons and up to sixty and more, all using...

2015

In space we find an extreem vacuum. Human beings need an atmosphere to survive. This makes inflatables most apt for use in human space flight. Savings in weight and packaging volume are perfect for getting them off ground. With the development of TransHab, NASA made a big step forward in proofing the technology-readiness of using inflatables for human space habitat. Protection of micro-meteorites and radiation proofed to be even better than in the aluminium ISS Module. The shape of TransHab was based on a toroid. The sphere is the natural shape of a flexible skin with an inside pressure and naturally combining maximum volume with minimum surface (insulation/protection etc). It is astonishing why this very efficient shape has not been used more often for space applications. This paper will investigate on a concept level the possibilities of a sphere for use in microgravity and planetary habitats. Possibilities for habitats for 1-2 person, 6 persons and up to sixty and more, all using...

2018

The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of temporary buildings created to flexibly respond to the needs and necessities of people involved in natural disasters or in hardship cases. Architecture technology allows an industrialized modular low-cost building system, in case of an emergency – the ease and speed of the assembling process, flexibility, and immediate use – and the conditions of temporality: to create a light, removable, transportable, transformable, reusable and, at the same time, durable and adaptable to the territory’s climate and morphology building. It is a design proposal characterized by the use of passive systems which, by incorporating local resources, and recycled or recyclable materials, can guarantee the sustainability of the entire production process aiming to provide an efficient, quick and low-cost response, without neglecting architectural aspects, housing comfort and environmental impact.

Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2019

This project report is about the modular house design that is a house constructed in a factory but assembled on site. The present day methods for the construction of modular homes prove to be efficient but are found to be of typical design and for one of many reasons the popularity of modular homes has gone down in many places on the planet. The project focuses on the development for the design of modular homes which allows the user to interchange spaces of the house as and when required. This concept allows the user to invest valuable resources like time and money to the flexibly to the capacity and needs of the user.

Temporary housing has emerged as a practical solution to a plethora of contemporary circumstances, including, though not limited to, emergency housing, worker housing, and largescale events housing. Interim housing is also a possible solution to future housing on lunar and Martian expeditions. Unfortunately, achieving the short-term nature of temporary housing is less than straightforward. One design pitfall leads to scanty housing that does not meet occupants' functional requirements, while another leads to overdesigned, permanent homes that may evolve into unsightly unstructured settlements. Thus, current design practices may not fully meet the diverse range of stakeholder requirements adequately. This paper addresses the central issue of temporary housing as a non-functional requirement on the housing system's lifecycle properties of modularity, reconfigurability, extensibility, and reusability. The large flexible system proposed in Axiomatic Design and the modularity found in product platforms impact the proposed conceptual design from the beginning of the design process. Design interdependence is systematically addressed to avoid needless coupling and maximize cohesion within the modules. The large flexible system knowledge base framework and the Independence Axiom serve to achieve the central goal of temporary housing. The first illuminates the high-level functional requirements (FRs) of a temporary house as well as the common module unit that serves as a product platform with standard interfaces. Next, to ensure the functional requirements for each unit are met, a design matrix (DM) is made for each module highlighting the respective FRs and design parameters (DPs).

Winter Simulation Conference, 2008

Modular construction has the advantage of producing structures quickly and efficiently, while not requiring the resources to build a structure to be co-located with the construction site. Large modules can be produced in qual- ity controlled environments, and then shipped to the con- struction site and assembled with minimal labor require- ments. An additional advantage is that once the modules