Yacademy's Alumni land at the 75th International Astronautical Congress

Yacademy's Alumni land at the 75th International Astronautical Congress - Marta Rossena, Raffaele Schiavello, Jane Zhuoan Dai, Lea Tabaja

Hello everyone, and thank you for taking part in this interview. You all attended the Architecture for Outer Space course at Yacademy in 2023. How was this experience and how did your approach to architecture and design change after it?

Attending the Architecture for Outer Space course at Yacademy was an incredibly transformative and exhilarating experience. Designing for extraterrestrial environments challenges many assumptions we take for granted on Earth, requiring architects to rethink fundamental principles and develop entirely new skill sets.

Despite the course's intensive timeline, it provided a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges of Space Architecture. We explored topics ranging from environmental considerations like gravity, atmospheric conditions, and planetary geology to broader economic, geopolitical, and sustainability issues. A significant emphasis was placed on human-centered design, ensuring that habitats in space prioritize both functionality and well-being.

The skills and insights we gained culminated in the opportunity to present our work at the International Astronautical Congress—the most prestigious global event in space exploration and research—further solidifying the impact of this experience.

Beyond technical knowledge, the course created a strong international collaboration. Working with peers from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds was invaluable, underlying the global and interdisciplinary nature of space exploration.

This experience reshaped our approach to architecture, emphasizing sustainability, integration with the site (whether on Earth or in space), and designing with humanity at the core. It also encouraged us to embrace bold, innovative ideas and to envision architecture as a tool for exploring uncharted possibilities and creating a positive future for life on and beyond our planet.

You participated in the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in 2024, presenting your design proposal at the **E5 - 35th IAA Symposium on Space and Society**, in **Session 1: Space Architecture: Habitats, Habitability, and Bases**. Can you tell us more about this experience?

Participating as speakers at the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) was an incredible experience and a significant milestone for us. Presenting our lunar base design to an audience of industry experts at the Space Architecture symposium wasn’t just about showcasing our work—it was about engaging in a larger conversation on humanity’s future in space. The congress highlighted something undeniable: we are living through a new renaissance in space exploration. The international interest and collaborative effort to advance scientific research and push boundaries were palpable throughout the event. During our session, we had the opportunity to not only present but also engage in meaningful discussions with other speakers and attendees.

What stood out was the genuine exchange of ideas—it wasn’t just a presentation but a conversation that challenged us to think critically and refine our vision further. The foundation we built through the Yacademy lectures and the development of our lunar base project during the course gave us the confidence to connect with professionals in the field, sharing a common language and mutual passion. This experience not only deepened our knowledge but reinforced our commitment to contributing to sustainable, human-centered architecture in space.

Of course, presenting your project at an international congress must have been a unique and challenging experience. What were your main concerns and the aspects of your design proposal that you wanted to highlight the most?

Presenting our project at such a prestigious international congress was both thrilling and challenging—it was our first experience of this scale, and we wanted to make sure we communicated our ideas effectively.

Our main goal was to refine our proposal for a lunar habitat, emphasizing a design approach that deeply integrates with the unique context of the Moon. Choosing a meaningful site was central to our concept. Instead of imposing architecture on the landscape, we aimed to work with the natural features of the lunar terrain. By adapting to the site’s morphology, we sought to minimize disruption while maximizing harmony and efficiency.

A key highlight of our design is using local resources and innovative construction techniques, such as 3D printing with regolith, to reduce dependency on Earth. This approach is not only sustainable but also critical for conserving energy and ensuring long-term viability in extraterrestrial environments.

Equally important was the human element. We prioritized well-being by carefully considering how architectural forms, materials, natural light, and even vegetation could create a sense of comfort and connection in such an extreme environment.

We like to describe our approach as symbiotic, blending “low-tech” strategies, like utilizing natural formations and local materials, with “high-tech” innovations, such as advanced construction methods and biomaterials. This balance creates a relationship between humans, the environment, and Space itself.

Beyond the Moon, we hope the principles behind our design can inspire more sustainable practices on Earth, offering a forward-thinking model for harmonizing architecture with nature.

What are the main research goals you pursue when designing an architectural project for outer space and how do you approach the design process?

Our primary research goal when designing for Outer Space is to ensure the sustainability of life while adopting a human-centered approach. In the context of Space, sustainability extends beyond environmentally responsible practices; it also includes socio-economic considerations and the long-term viability of the systems and structures we create. The design must not only sustain life but also promote resilience and efficiency over time. 

The process begins by defining the what—in this case, a lunar research base. From there, we focus on identifying the possible site and analyzing its unique characteristics, challenges, and opportunities. This site-specific research lays the groundwork for the how: developing solutions that work with in-situ resources and environmental conditions to meet the project’s goals.

Protecting and enhancing human well-being remains a central priority throughout. Space environments pose extreme challenges—different gravity, harsh radiation, and isolation—influencing how we design spatial configurations and systems. These factors require innovative approaches to ensure both safety and comfort. Creativity often stems from constraints, and we embrace the limitations of Space Architecture as a catalyst for invention. By clearly defining the boundaries within which we work, we can identify opportunities to explore uncharted solutions that push the boundaries of traditional design.

A critical part of our approach addresses the fundamental elements of human well-being: maintaining circadian rhythms, ensuring access to clean air and water, and incorporating natural elements, even in constrained and isolated environments. This human-centered perspective ensures that our designs go beyond survival, fostering a sense of harmony and improving the quality of life in extreme settings.

Ultimately, the lessons we learn in designing for space have profound implications for Earth, inspiring us to create more sustainable, efficient, and human-focused environments in our everyday lives.

International congresses and conferences are also a great opportunity to exchange ideas and meet with other architects, designers, and experts in the field. How do you value connections in the architectural field and especially in such a specific branch as Architecture for Outer Space? 

Attending the IAC opened up a world of opportunities for us. While Space Architecture is still a niche field, the community around it is incredibly open and collaborative, as we discovered during the congress.

We had the chance to engage with a diverse range of professionals—biochemical engineers, astrophysicists, mechanical engineers, designers, architects, and more. Everyone was eager to share knowledge and learn from one another, creating a dynamic environment of interdisciplinary exchange.

This kind of cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential to Space exploration, just as international cooperation is. Space is not a field where any one discipline or nation can succeed alone; it requires a collective effort to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

The connections we made, rooted in curiosity and shared purpose, are invaluable. They not only broaden our understanding of the challenges we face but also spark innovative solutions that will shape the future of architecture—both in space and on Earth.