University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies Legacy Theses 2001 Transcending space: a lunar retreat Fortin, David T. Fortin, D. T. (2001). Transcending space: a lunar retreat (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/17027 http://hdl.handle.net/1880/40867 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca The author of this thesis has granted the University of Calgary a non-exclusive license to reproduce and distribute copies of this thesis to users of the University of Calgary Archives. Copyright remains with the author. 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Please contact the University of Calgary Archives for further information, E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: (403) 220-7271 Website: http://www.ucalgary.ca/archives/ A Master's Degree Project submitted to the Faculty of Environmental Design in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta, April 2001 (c) David T. Fortin 2001 Acknowledgements With sincere thanks to the following people for their contributions not only to this project but also my four years here: -Graham Livesey for first of all accepting to supervise a futuristic project for the moon but more importantly his guidance over the past few years and his insistence to sometimes question 'why not' in a field often subjected to answering 'why'. -Dr. Allan Clarke for accepting to be an external advisor for this project. His insightful comments and open mindedness have revealed to me the true spirit of space exploration. -Dr. Stan Stein for accepting to act as the Dean's appointee for this project and his invaluable insights into the topic during the defence. -Dr. Ted Hall of the Chinese University of Hong Kong for his voluntary time, involvement, and substantive input to this project. -Shimizu Corporation and Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo for providing me with information, contacts, and inspiration. -Marino, Aldona, Shelagh, Bob and John for continuing to have patience with us as we frantically plead for solutions to all our problems exactly when we need them fixed. -Mr.Bill who is an invaluable spirit and friend to our faculty. -My professors over the years who have offered part of themselves and their passion for architecture to encourage me along this path. -My other 'family', my classmates, who have shared with me their brilliance and humour through these four years -Ben and Dave who have supported me and kept me smiling through it all. -The treeplanting community for giving me fresh perspectives on our world every summer of my education, sparking my dreams and providing me with the work ethic and perserverance to realize them. -My friends outside of EVDS - especially Hubes, Phay, Brad, Krisite, and Shannon - who give me strength through balance. -My incredible family - Mom, Dad, Val, Bruce, and Megan for encouraging me to pursue my dreams and offering their unconditional love and support. -Last but certainly not least, I thank my best friend and roommate for the past four years for teaching me things about life that can not be found in any educational institution or textbook. Thank you Grandma, I love you. Abstract Transcending Space: A Lunar Retreat David T. Fortin - April 4, 2001 Prepared in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Architecture in the Faculty of Environmental Design, The University of Calgary Supervisor - Graham Livesey Key Words lunar development - extraterrestrial architecture - theoretical morphology - experimental design - retreat - architectural form - space exploration - space colonization - La Tourette Space development to date has unnecessarily placed a barrier between architectural theory and extraterrestrial design posing a legitimate threat to our understanding of future architecture outside of our atmosphere. This project is a formal exercise attempting to develop an architectural strategy for the seemingly unprecedented challenge of designing future extraterrestrial architecture. Through the design of a retreat on the moon for the year 2060, architecture in space is defined as a profession aspiring towards meaningful future design while responding to an informative past. The methodology of theoretical morphology provides a framework for the prediction of lunar architectural form responding to the parameters of the moon. By using a digital massing model of La Tourette, a monastery designed by Le Corbusier and consecrated in 1960, as the geometric model for the experiment, new architectural forms are suggested. Through the analysis of these forms, an appropriate model is selected for further study to inform the design of the retreat. The site, on the rim of Shackleton Crater at the lunar South Pole, provides a context for the morphed model to respond to such site parameters as a proposed infrastructure, daylight conditions, and the poetic significance of the event. The exploratory nature of the process offers insight into such lunar design elements as circulation, perception of space and structure, and the lunar floor surface. Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 The Role of the Astro-Architect 3.0 Transcending Space 3.1 The Poetics of 'Outer' Space 3.2 La Tourette and the Lunar Challenge 4.0 Developing a Lunar Architecture 4.1 Theoretical Morphology and Architecture 4.2 Morphology and the Experimentalists 4.3 Parametric Design and Morphology 4.4 Morphing the Icon 5.0 Shackleton Crater 5.1 The Mirror, the Cave and the Window 5.2 The Lunar Retreat 6.0 Summary Bibliography Image Credits We grossly overestimate what we can accomplish in the near future and greatly underestimate what we can achieve in the long term. -Sir Arthur C. Clarke chapter 1 I n t ro c i i_j ct i o n As audiences swarmed theatres in 1968 to view 2001: A Space Odyssey, visionaries Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke presented not only an influential contribution to the film industry but also issued anon-going challenge to the world (Image 2). This film, recognized as a true science fiction classic, further ignited the imaginations of people, young and old, towards future human habitation in space (Image 4). Thirty-three years later in Kubrick's year, scientific and technological advancement have partially realized this vision through the establishment of habitation aboard the International Space Station (ISS)(lmage 3). However, many challenges presented in the film have also failed to be recognized. As awestruck moviegoers listened to the Blue Danube Waltz accompany the floating vessel through the vast emptiness of space, a hint at the spiritual experience of space was offered. This was a man-made vessel seemingly embraced by a greater journey - the journey of Mankind from its mother planet. The emotive response to this scene was just a small glimpse of the power of spaceflight in human spirituality and understanding. The first eluded challenge was therefore to recognize and communicate the relentless human spirit propelling exploration within space development. Another challenge, and the basis for this project, was directed specifically to the profession of architecture. In this film and the numerous science-fiction films prior to and since, space is almost exclusively experienced from the vessels the characters inhabit-the architecture. However, these built space environments are presently designed not for characters on gravity bound science-fiction film sets but rather for breathing astronauts and soon for the everyday person. Future building in space is largely unpredictable, however architecture must respond to the challenge presented. Regardless of where its location ortime frame, an architect should be able to design using the tools the profession has developed and with which it has equipped him/her. Instead, recent space development, more specifically proposed lunar architecture, has unnecessarily placed a barrier between architectural theory and the future posing a legitimate threat to the future of architectural understanding outside of our atmosphere. As predicted by Kubrick, Clarke, and the many others before and after, buildings on the moon will exist during this century and most likely in the next thirty years. Whether these buildings will be considered 'architecture' as opposed to 'engineered machines' has yet to be determined and it is time for architectural theory to consider this argument. Architecture has the ability to communicate the spirit of space flight and harmonize the technical within it. By embodying technological progress in an attempt to communicate the immaterial aspects of space exploration, architecture can cross the atmospheric barrier allowing the subjective journey of space to transcend. But how can architecture be designed responsibly for a future we cannot easily predict? The major obstacle in space design to date has been the lack of an architectural strategy for the seemingly unprecedented challenge of extraterrestrial architecture. Visionary and sci-fi architecture rely strictly on the development of alien forms and structure that do not respond to any established order in design.