My Home is my Spaceship: An Investigation of Extra-Terrestrial Architecture from a Human Perspective

摘要

Today we look back at a series of realized space habitats - as well as the presently orbiting International Space Station. These highly technological habitats have been providing living and working space in a hostile and socially isolated environment for various users over long periods of time and are especially subject to careful planning, building and design. In this context Habitability becomes an important design issue. This paper presents the results of a recently completed study on the interface between people, space and objects in an extra-terrestrial environment. Selected case studies were: the Apollo Spacecraft and Lunar Module, the Space Shuttle Orbiter, and the Space Stations; Salyut, Skylab, Mir, as well as the International Space Station. These case studies were evaluated and summarized according to the activities: Sleep, Hygiene, Food and Work in relation to the characteristics of the built environment. Information was gathered from technical reports, published books, reviews, and lessons learned, as well as from personal interviews with astronauts. The paper (1) introduces the selection criteria and an alternative framework for a design-in-use study, differing from usual analysis in that human activity is assigned a more significant role. The results of the study are further formulated as design directions for each category of human activity. (2) Referring to the statement of an interviewed astronaut: 'Your Home is your Spaceship', this paper showcases the findings, with examples of design directions that deal with the issue of private versus group space.