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Compact Habitat for Interstellar Living with Modular SKYWALKERS

Authors:
Hao Wu, Yuqiu Wang, Dimeng Bao
Compact Habitat for Interstellar Living with Modular SKYWALKERS

Project in-detail

Built around a central hub known as the Cradle, this habitat utilizes modular SKYWALKERS to support extended human living in diverse extraterrestrial environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Central hub, the Cradle, serves as a starting point for interstellar travel.
02
Modular SKYWALKERS support extended living in varied extraterrestrial conditions.
03
Design integrates efficient resource management for water and oxygen supply.
04
Compact living spaces focus on sustainability and adaptability for new environments.
05
Concept includes a 5CM mind ball to store personal memories.

The design envisions human habitation in environments beyond Earth, focusing on a launching site called the "Cradle." Set in a barren landscape, the Cradle serves as both a community center and a starting point for journeys into space. The concept emphasizes sustainability and the efficient use of resources, offering a framework that adapts to new living conditions as humanity ventures beyond its home planet.

Central Functionality

The Cradle acts as an essential hub for preparing and launching expeditions into space. It welcomes individuals eager to embrace a new way of life, providing essentials for prolonged travel. By equipping SKYWALKERS with necessary supplies, the design highlights the importance of self-sufficiency. Individuals must be prepared for the varied conditions they will face beyond Earth.

Spatial Efficiency

Spatial efficiency is a core aspect of the design, encouraging compact living spaces that make the best use of available resources. The design considers a range of geographical conditions, such as oceans, plateaus, polar regions, and deserts. This adaptability is crucial for future habitats. The multifaceted approach meets the demands of survival and exploration on different planets, ensuring that inhabitants can thrive in diverse environments.

Community and Connection

The Cradle is more than just a physical structure. It represents the emotional and functional heart of the community it serves. As a gathering place, it allows individuals to reconnect after their journeys. The idea of SKYWALKERS evolving from physical dwellings into a compact "5CM mind ball" that holds personal memories speaks to the relationship between human experience and exploration. This connection remains vital, emphasizing the importance of relationships in a changing world.

Resource Considerations

The design emphasizes the importance of securing essential resources for sustaining life in unfamiliar environments. Focus is placed on vital elements like water, oxygen, and electricity. This commitment to sustainability addresses the realities of living in new settings. It ensures that the inhabitants can maintain a high quality of life while engaging with their surroundings, reinforcing a practical approach to interstellar living.

Integrated into a vision that connects past experiences with future possibilities, the Cradle stands as a symbol of human progress in exploring life among the stars.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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