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Mars Ice Home

Clouds Architecture Office and SEArch conceived an inflatable structure that incorporates in situ resources and uses ice as radiation shielding and as a structural component.

Regenerate space, rediscover the human

At Milan Design Week 2025, domusbreakfast@bocconi explores the connection between urban and relational regeneration, with design as a tool for connection. Among the key participants, Franke highlights the role of the kitchen as a vital space for nurturing relationships and renewing the social fabric

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Clouds AO and SEArch worked with NASA Langley Research Center and a team of experts to develop a concept design and feasibility study for Mars Ice Home, a deployable Mars habitat concept based on an inflatable structure that incorporates in situ resource utilization derived water ice as radiation shielding and as a structural component.

Clouds Architecture Office and SEArch, Mars Ice Home, 2016

It also provides a large, flexible, and cost effective workspace that can be used for many of the key activities that will be critical for the long term success of a human outpost on Mars. Long term stays on the Martian surface require habitats that reduce launch mass and cost while providing an effective working environment with a high level of shielding from galactic cosmic rays for mission crew members.

Translucent ice is the key design element: it allows natural light to permeate the habitat interior keeping occupants connected to diurnal cycles which affect human bio-rhythms; transparent windows allow views out to the surrounding landscape, which is important for mental well-being and crew functionality; ice is an effective radiation shield, the cross section is tapered to provide most ice above since this is the direction with strongest incoming radiation.

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Clouds Architecture Office and SEArch, Mars Ice Home, section

Clouds Architecture Office and SEArch, Mars Ice Home, plan

Clouds Architecture Office and SEArch, Mars Ice Home, plan

Clouds Architecture Office and SEArch, Mars Ice Home, diagram

Mars Ice Home
Design: Clouds Architecture Office (Ostap Rudakevych, Masayuki Sono, Yuko Sono, Jeffrey Montes), NASA (Langley Research Center), SEArch
Year: 2016

PNA International Forum celebrates natural stone

What's the future of authentic natural stone? Find out at the PNA International Forum, an unmissable event set in the magical atmosphere of Venice on June 12th and 13th, 2025. Registration is now open, don't miss out!

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Get the best of Domus straight to your inbox!

Mars Ice Home

Clouds Architecture Office and SEArch conceived an inflatable structure that incorporates in situ resources and uses ice as radiation shielding and as a structural component.

Regenerate space, rediscover the human

PNA International Forum celebrates natural stone

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