Space Design for New Human Beings

New European Bauhaus Festival Exhibition

The image is a detailed digital illustration imagining a future human settlement on the lunar surface or a desert planet, blending scientific realism with science fiction aesthetics. In the foreground, three astronauts in bulky white spacesuits move across a dark, uneven terrain resembling regolith. The base consists of several grey habitat modules with metallic and gold finishes, interconnected. A large transparent geodesic dome stands out, housing vertical structures illuminated in green, suggesting a hydroponic greenhouse for food and oxygen production. The background is an absolute black that emphasizes the lack of atmosphere and the colony's isolation in deep space, conveying a sense of exploration and technological survival.

Design for Space exemplifies sustainability and inclusion even beyond Earth and embodies the principles of the New European Bauhaus. The exhibition curated by Professors Annalisa Dominoni and Benedetto Quaquaro presents the research and projects developed within the Department of Design and the Space4InspirAction course, 6th edition 2022, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), to enhance the applications of microalgae on the lunar surface and increase the performance of parastronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The first "New European Bauhaus Festival," which took place June 9-12, 2022 simultaneously in all European Union countries, awarded prizes to future-oriented projects, including the "Space Design for New Human Beings" exhibition in which the strategic role of design for the design and development of new habitability concepts for orbiting stations and moon bases clearly emerges.
In this sense, professors Annalisa and Benedetto argue that, today and in the near future, Space will have an increasingly decisive and impactful influence on people's everyday lives, behaviors and performance and, consequently, on the transformative capacity of private companies to generate innovation and new sustainable and inclusive business models, thanks to the contribution of design.

«"Go to Space" is the new aspirational dream today»

Among the various themes welcomed during The New European Bauhaus Festival, Space Design for News Human Beings turned its gaze toward microalgae cultivation on the Moon and motor disability in microgravity, disruptive themes oriented toward increasing values of sustainability and inclusion in Space as well.

For greater awareness and deeper understanding of the topic, the design was supported by two technical sponsors such as the Tolo Green company, a producer of microalgae, and the Hackability research laboratory, which combines the world of making with the needs of people with disabilities. The European Space Agency (ESA), which has collaborated with Space4InspirAction since its inception in 2017, also supported the projects by providing scientific and technological know-how.

«Design is visionary, design is innovation, and it acts as a mediator, a "bridge" between science and beauty, speaking different languages, such as engineering, technology, but also culture, art, and economics, keeping people's needs at the center»
The image is a powerful surrealist composition blending design, science, and art, imagining human adaptation to an extreme microgravity environment. A nude female figure floats in a deep black void, in an elegant and supine pose that evokes suspension and weightlessness. One of her legs is wrapped in a complex, elastic structure, resembling a woven ribbon, of a bright cyan white. This design object seems to be a prototype for improving mobility or stability in orbit. The background is partially occupied by the Cupola of the International Space Station (ISS), with its windows looking out onto a spectacular view of Earth and the starry sky. Dramatic lighting from behind the Cupola, and blue reflections on the figure, emphasize the futuristic atmosphere and the figure's isolation in the cosmos.

The proposed goal is to increase the well-being of Living Space and extreme environments by looking beyond functionality, toward principles such as sustainability and inclusion, and designing sensitive and sustainable environments.
In this regard today, it is necessary to consider that, not only professional astronauts, but also tourists will go to Space, and they will need a high level of comfort, because people want to live "the dream": the role of design is also to shape this dream by designing extraordinary and unique experiences.

«The quality of the experience of living in Space is crucial and must be designed: if astronauts feel better, in a comfortable and even beautiful environment, it directly affects their mood and the way they deal with challenges, improves performance in carrying out various activities, and consequently increases the success of the entire mission»

Microalgae on the Moon

The goal of the first project theme is to propose innovative solutions for the cultivation, growth, extraction, preparation, processing, consumption, and preservation of microalgae in the extreme environment that is the Moon, with no atmosphere, conditioned by harmful solar radiation, and with a gravity reduced to 1/6th that of Earth, affecting the behavior of humans, plants, and fluid substances. One solution can be found in the production of spirulina, a blue algae that converts carbon dioxide into oxygen and can be used as protein food, food suitable for extreme environments such as Space.
"Our satellite will initially be inhabited by crews of four people who will need to produce, autonomously from Earth, high-protein, sustainable food."

The home environment on the Moon is modeled after the Moon Village, a project by the American architecture firm SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), while the 11 concepts of 3D-printable structures, equipment and tools to be used inside the lunar base were designed by the Space4InspirAction team headed by Professors Annalisa Dominoni and Benedetto Quaquaro and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and are aimed at wellness, crew co-design, participation and sustainability.

The image is a three-dimensional render illustrating a futuristic vision of a space colony, focusing on sustainability and modular architecture in extraterrestrial environments. On a grey lunar landscape dotted with craters, several architectural structures stand beneath a deep black sky. In the foreground, a geodesic dome with a complex honeycomb pattern emerges, glowing with an intense green light inside, indicating a biosphere or a greenhouse for cultivation. In the background, positioned on a ridge, are three vertical habitat modules with a tapered and fluted shape, equipped with small hexagonal windows and antennas with glowing red tips. The scene, characterized by sharp shadows and bold contrasts, represents a space design concept where technology integrates with the need to recreate natural habitats in extreme conditions.

Great attention has also been paid to analysis of the confined environment (which in the absence of natural stimuli affects astronauts' psychophysiology, as well as proxemic and spatial relationships) and reduced gravity, which can be transformed from limit to advantage, imagining opportunities that would not be possible on Earth.
The projects address two scenarios: the lunar base, the main one, but also "the analogue," in space jargon a habitat made on Earth that mimics a lunar or Martian environment and serves as a test, in which many aspects of missions can be tested. An example of a lunar analogue is currently under construction at the European Astronaut Center (EAC) in Cologne, Germany.

Some of the projects presented focus on creating new gestures that are generated spontaneously in a confined environment and in gravity reduced to one-sixth as the Moon is: an example is a kit to start the cultivation of spirulina algae inside the lunar base, which trains astronauts in the operations of extracting, growing and consuming microalgae; but also, changing scale, inflatable habitats made of breathable material that serve as "equipped green gyms" where fitness activities can be proposed, always taking advantage of reduced gravity and the opportunity to reinvent actions, movements and gestures, supported by dedicated and specially designed tools for jumping and climbing on the Moon.

The image features a detailed render of an advanced technological device, characterized by a bio-futuristic aesthetic and a modular structure. The device is composed of a series of green hexagonal cells, whose inner surface reveals an organic and porous texture reminiscent of cellular structures or plant tissues. These modules are embedded in a dark, symmetrical metallic frame, equipped with digital interfaces on both sides. On the right, a circular screen displays technical data and glowing icons, including a status indicator and a hexagonal grid, suggesting an environmental or biotechnological monitoring system. The soft lighting and metallic reflections give the object a sophisticated look, ideally placing it in a context of cutting-edge scientific research or space exploration.
The image is a photorealistic render illustrating a concept of wellness and fitness within a futuristic habitat, likely located in a space colony or a hi-tech residence. At the center of the scene, a young man is depicted running on an invisible treadmill or one integrated into the floor of a minimalist domestic environment. Beside him, three robotic devices with a soft, anthropomorphic design stand out: they feature a translucent body emitting a green and yellow light, topped with flesh-colored padded elements. One of these robots shows a glowing interface with a smiling face, suggesting a role as a companion or a virtual personal trainer. The surrounding furniture, with tidy beds and essential shelving, reinforces the idea of a functional and technologically advanced living space where physical activity and interaction with artificial intelligence are an integral part of the daily routine.

Other projects, however, use liquid spirulina to create relaxation environments inside the lunar base-that could also be transferred to Earth-as exclusive, futuristic spas: chaise lounges that can be closed like cocoons, depending on the need for privacy, and that use the power of light not only for color therapy, but also to grow spirulina algae and be able to drink it; convivial spaces that encourage moments of entertainment surrounded by greenery thanks to structures that contain microalgae and are inspired by "technological forests." and, again, fountains with fluid forms that produce cascades of green liquid, from which it is possible to drink a beverage rich in nutrients, such as protein and minerals, made from microalgae, and that give an unprecedented spectacle, considering that with 1/6 gravity, liquids become denser and descend more slowly.

The image displays a digital render exploring the interaction between organic forms and futuristic architecture in a space-themed context. At the center of the scene stands a white sculptural structure with fluid, sweeping lines. An intense green viscous substance appears to be dripping or clinging to it, featuring a translucent texture reminiscent of biological fluid or an algal culture in microgravity. The background consists of a sterile, modular environment where grey walls repeatedly display the text "SPACE4INSPIRATION", suggesting a research lab or an art installation aboard a space station. The composition plays on the contrast between the geometric rigor of the setting and the unpredictability of organic matter.

All of the projects are linked by a "green" thread that invites the inhabitants of the Moon to experience an almost symbiotic relationship with microalgae to become aware of the importance of nature in a confined and hostile environment, such as the collection of jewelry and wearables that contain algae and substances for their sustenance and that, thanks to the wearer's movement during the day, can stay alive.

Disability in Microgravity

The second theme aims to respond to the first call launched in 2022 by the European Space Agency (ESA) for "parastronauts " through new prosthetic objects, both for astronauts and for individuals with motor disabilities, in order to amplify performance aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Considering prosthetics real "extensions" of motor capabilities, which in microgravity undergo strong alterations compromising stability and movement, it is possible to support the crew by counteracting the negative effects of the lack of gravity. This concept is intended to bring astronauts and parastronauts closer together on the assumption that in Space, in microgravity, we are all somewhat disabled and less performing, and we need tools to support us in performing various activities.

ESA, in selecting who to admit into orbit, accepts only certain types of disabilities such as being less than 130 centimeters in stature or missing a foot or leg below the knee joint. To date, design for Space becomes a challenge that helps overcome currently unthinkable barriers and allows testing the boundaries of science and technology to find innovative ways to approach space travel.

However, the International Space Station (ISS) was not designed for humans with such problems. Therefore, it is necessary to design tools and devices to overcome such difficulties with innovative solutions and ideas that can serve to improve the comfort and performance even of astronauts who do not have disabilities.

The image is a digital composition blending advanced industrial design and space exploration, focusing on the theme of physical support in extreme environments. Framed through the iconic circular window of the International Space Station (ISS) Cupola, a lower limb prosthesis floats in the void. The prosthesis features a highly technological design: a black hexagonal lattice structure (generative design) at the top and an integrated technical shoe with a flesh-colored porous texture at the bottom, joined by a sleek dark mechanical hinge. In the background, the Earth's curvature with its white clouds and deep blue oceans provides a spectacular contrast to the station's dark, technical interior. The image suggests a futuristic vision where assistive technology is specifically designed for mobility and life in orbit.

One of the problems faced on the ISS is that of moving from one point to another on the Station: the absence of weight does not allow for free movement except by levering a hand or foot on something, and in order to remain stationary, for example when working on the computer, it is necessary to anchor oneself.
A difficulty for everyone, which would be even more serious for a disabled astronaut, but which can be solved by innovative solutions such as, for example, an extendable arm, connected to the body with adjustable velcro straps, to attach to an anchor point, which is useful for astronauts and parastronauts and can also be used during extravehicular activities; alternatively, a two-rope system to be stretched through the interior of the ISS, which allows one to position oneself in a specific spot to work, locking oneself with a velcro belt.
Or again, to move around in microgravity without the need to give oneself a push on a fixed surface, the use of a handlebar equipped with a central fan that pushes in the desired direction, the handles of which close for one-handed use, may be useful.

The image is a powerful surrealist composition blending advanced industrial design and space exploration, focusing on the theme of interaction and connection in extreme environments. Framed through the iconic circular window of the International Space Station (ISS) Cupola, two hands reach out toward each other, evoking the classic iconography of creation. On the left, a stretched hand reaches toward the boundary of a complex, linear mechanical structure of a bright cyan white, extending horizontally across the scene. On the right, a second hand holds and manipulates a deep black, circular, glowing device, resembling a futuristic joystick or a control interface with an inner ring of light. In the background, the Earth's curvature with deep blue oceans and the black of deep space provide a spectacular contrast to the station's dark, technical interior. The image suggests a futuristic vision where assistive technology is specifically designed for mobility, life, and collaboration in orbit, exploring human adaptation to an extreme microgravity environment.
The image is a surreal digital composition exploring the theme of logistics and object design in microgravity conditions, set inside the International Space Station (ISS). In the foreground on the right, a hand wears a tactile device or a flexible control interface, characterized by a series of small blue spheres arranged in a grid on a white band. In the center of the scene, several white and blue components with fluid, rounded designs float in the air, appearing to have just emerged from an open metallic container internally lit by a bright white light. The background, intentionally dark and slightly blurred, shows the technical and densely wired environment of the space station's interior. The scene conveys a sense of technological wonder and order within chaos, suggesting an advanced system for managing and using personalized tools in space.

We must consider that astronauts living in space in the future will undergo physical mutations: legs will become thinner and feet will become more prehensile. That's why many designs are inspired by the natural world, such as a kit that takes inspiration from octopuses, lizards and monkeys and includes tools for hands, feet and toes to move around and accomplish on-board activities with greater ease and dexterity.

Also drawn from the natural world, from octopuses and also from the legs of geckos, is a "prosthetic sculpture " designed for parastronauts with a partially amputated limb. Kraken has a design reminiscent of precisely the way octopuses' tentacles grip their surroundings and is made of a soft, flexible 3D-printable material that, in the absence of weight, will not have to bear great loads: a small sphere at the end of the prosthesis allows it, as it deforms, to securely attach itself to the handles of the ISS to which it remains adhered by exploiting the same principle as geckos' legs.

«The biggest challenge for us in this project was to imagine a scenario in which it is not necessary to replicate the shape of a leg in an environment that responds to laws different from those of Earth. We preferred very soft prosthetic elements that do not resemble robotic arms, but follow gestures in space in relation to objects and movements, taking advantage of microgravity»
The image presents a fascinating artistic and technological vision, focusing on the theme of accessibility and design applied to space exploration. At the center of the composition, a lower limb prosthesis of a bright cyan white floats elegantly in the void of microgravity. The design of the prosthesis is extremely modern, characterized by an organic and fluid woven structure that wraps around the leg, culminating in a stylized and slender foot. The background is dominated by the cupola of the International Space Station (ISS), whose large windows offer a breathtaking view of the Earth's curvature, with tones of oceanic blue and white cloud formations. The combination of the purity of the prosthetic form and the vastness of the cosmos suggests a future in which assistive technology allows humans to overcome their physical limits even in the most extreme environments.

For more on this topic, see Space Design for New Human Beings.

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