Authors: Azar Djamali
Abstract: In his essay "The Future Isn't What It Used To Be," Victor Papanek critiques the prevailing drive to systematise design, arguing that an over-reliance on scientific predictability has led to a critical disconnection from fundamental human sensory responses to natural environmental conditions (Papanek 1995, cited in Margolin and Buchanan 1995). He observes that modern, hermetically sealed interiors—products of post-war development—have subjected inhabitants to a prolonged experiment in artificial living, severing vital connections to atmospheric phenomena like natural light and air. This intellectual foundation establishes an urgent imperative for design: to take conscious responsibility for manufactured environments that support rather than damage human health and performance. Within this critical framework, this paper considers whether robotic arms can serve as tools for thinking, assisting architects in reimagining the architectural design process for extraterrestrial habitats on the Moon and Mars, where creating viable sensory environments constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for survival rather than merely an aesthetic concern. This article envisions a future where architects employ robotic arms as cognitive tools in the design process, transforming creative efforts into an interactive blend of ideas and physical actions. It highlights how these robotic systems can extend human thinking capabilities, enabling architects to visualise and manipulate designs in previously impossible ways. Research synthesized from over 100 papers reveals that robotic arms provide immediate feedback during design processes, allowing architects to explore multiple concepts simultaneously and develop innovative solutions for extraterrestrial habitats. For example, when designing a structure on Mars, architects can use robotic arms to experiment with various materials and configurations, refining ideas in real time. A pertinent real-world example is the "Mars Ice Home" concept designed by the firm SEArch+ (Space Exploration Architecture) for NASA. This project exemplifies the principles of habitability and in-situ resource utilisation, proposing a radiation-shielded, pressurised habitat constructed from Martian water-ice. The architects at SEArch+ prioritised the psychological well-being of inhabitants by designing a layered, light-filtering ice shell to create a connection to the external Martian environment, directly addressing Papanek's critique of sensory-disconnected interiors (SEArch+ 2021). This cognitive collaboration enhances problem-solving capabilities and encourages architects to expand creative boundaries. However, a significant gap remains in understanding how to fully integrate robots as cognitive and creative partners in architecture. Further research is needed to explore human-robot interaction dynamics and optimise these relationships for design processes. By embracing robotic arms as thinking partners, architects can optimise resource utilisation and develop new approaches to architectural challenges, paving the way for advancements in extraterrestrial living.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17129640
