Prototypical Martian Home - What Would Your Home Look Like?

Scott G. Beach · 2003-12-04 13:17:44

I have drawn a vertical cross-section of how one of the neighborhood domes in a prototype Martian settlement might be constructed. That drawing can be accessed by clicking the link on the second footnote on the web page at http://www.geocities.com/scott956282743/euthenia.htm

I began drafting a Martian exploration and settlement plan by providing a political and financial foundation. That foundation is in my essay about The Problem of Owning Mars (see http://www.geocities.com/scott956282743 ). My essay includes a Constitution of the Provisional Government of Mars. The Provisional Government can give settlers the authority to establish municipal governments, which can in turn enact laws that allow settlers to own to land, homes, and businesses on Mars.

The Constitution provides for a Mars Development Bank. Acting in accordance with the Constitution, the Bank will organize an international consortium to explore and settle Mars. This would include building prototype Martian stations and settlements.

I recently drafted a site plan and operating outline for a prototype Martian settlement. I refer to that prototype by the name The City of Euthenia. (Euthenia was the Greek goddess of prosperity and plenty. Her image is found on the coins of ancient Mediterranean civilizations.) The city plan includes 100 neighborhood domes, which will each house about 100 people, yielding a total population of about 10,000.

Now that I have drawn a cross-section of a neighborhood dome I can address how the people in a neighborhood might relate to each other. How might Martian families be organized? This organization could be manifested in the architecture of the ?Residential? area of a neighborhood. What would the home of a prototypical Martian family look like? If you were going to design a home on the Residential level of a neighborhood dome, what features would you include in that design?

clark · 2003-12-04 13:30:52

Okay, here is the idea I have been toying with for some time, and I think I am prepared for the eventual onslaught of criticisim...

I don't know about your proposed population density, but this is my suggestion:

Seperate residential living areas based on "single-bachelor/bachelorette" and "family" orientation. Family residence's will be larger, and accomadate more 'family living space'. The bachelor units are smaller, and there is greater emphasis on communal space between al the residents.

Family=more personal privacy, single=more social interaction. There are multiple reasons for all of this, I won't list them, but it works to keep people sane, and prevent lonely-shooter types.

By seperating these areas, you essentially have a family friendly area, with extra saftey precautions becuase children are present- the presence of children has a limiting effect placed on adults who are not their parents. It removes social behaviors (to some degree) that parents might object to (and non-parents won't have to object to the children's behavior). Saftey can be a little bit more relaxed in the 'singles' area.

Since some have come up with some numbers that show population growth may need to be encouraged, the requirement that all married couples are granted liscence to live in the larger family units (first ones go to the ones having kids though!) will act as an incentive for people to develop relationships, and settle down. Think of it like creating a 'downtown' and a suburbs kind of deal.

Of course general areas should exsist where everyone can interact and what not, but the living situation would best be handled in this manner. Like minded individuals grouped by 'lifestyle', which is reduced to the most basic component- family, and non-family.

Bill White · 2003-12-04 14:12:01

By seperating these areas, you essentially have a family friendly area, with extra saftey precautions becuase children are present- the presence of children has a limiting effect placed on adults who are not their parents. It removes social behaviors (to some degree) that parents might object to (and non-parents won't have to object to the children's behavior). Saftey can be a little bit more relaxed in the 'singles' area.

Being a parent and having once been single I agree with this idea. Seperate doesn't have to mean NO interaction, just a little more limited, like smoking/no smoking areas and extra "baby-proofing" on the airlocks.

No darling, not THAT button! WHOOOOSH!

Bill White · 2003-12-04 14:32:46

How might Martian families be organized?

However the families themselves choose.

I would not venture to impose my prejudices however I am willing to predict the result will be Dad/Mom/Kids with grandparents and aunts/uncles etc. . . Unrelated adults will probably become the functional equivalent of aunts and uncles.

Since no other system has ever really taken firm and lasting root, I feel my prediction is safe.

clark · 2003-12-04 14:39:30

Thanks for the agreement Bill!

i was wondering though if you see any 'holes', or possible problems that may arise from an arrangement like this. I've run through some different scenario's, but nothing yet that is a deal breaker. But I'm not convinced yet that there isn't something rather obvious that might cause this to crumble... any other factors that need to be taken into account?

The one I keep coming back to though is the changing face of the traditional nuclear family. Homosexuality and the family unit could be a problem in this situation, since all manner of family types would in essence be housed together- some may object to certain 'family' lifestyles that don't conform to their own personal point of view.

I would also suggest extra radiation shielding, and just about everything 'extra' for the family areas to provide the maximum saftey for the children growing up there. I would also suggest that these areas be open to single-parent families as well, since part of this is a space issue, as well as social reinforcement of parenting behavior (what better setting than a place full of parents to learn different ways of being a parent?)

Bill White · 2003-12-04 14:48:59

i was wondering though if you see any 'holes', or possible problems that may arise from an arrangement like this. I've run through some different scenario's, but nothing yet that is a deal breaker. But I'm not convinced yet that there isn't something rather obvious that might cause this to crumble... any other factors that need to be taken into account?

Select people motivated by pragmatism and united in the common purpose of the settlement rather than an ideological commitment to one or another "lifestyle"

If people "choose" a kibbutz style, I am okay with that, if people choose a Walton family farm style (Say "good night" John-boy) I am okay with that, some large Catholic extended families accept gay members quite readily provided the gays are willing not to flaunt things too provocatively.

The call to be more pragmatic and less ideological cuts many different ways.

Thus, designing Marsian "lifestyles" on Earth seems rather beside the point, IMHO. Sensible people will act sensibly, no?

clark · 2003-12-04 14:52:55

Sensible people will act sensibly, no?

:laugh: NO! :laugh:

At least if you listen to the news...

If people "choose" a kibbutz style, I am okay with that, if people choose a Walton family farm style (Say "good night" John-boy) I am okay with that, some large Catholic extended families accept gay members quite readily provided the gays are willing not to flaunt things too provocatively.

What of some other historical religious practices.... perhaps polygamy?

At what level should decisions like this be made? Local little neighborhoods, or the Hab, et. al.?

dicktice · 2003-12-04 17:37:01

I rather liked those canyon-balconied living spaces in the latest "Time Machine" film (hated the film, otherwise).

Ian Flint · 2003-12-05 10:13:57

I like your idea of separating singles and families, clark. I think you may not be considering the growth of the colony, though. It seems you assume there will only be one dome. I suggest separate lifestyles equals separate domes. You could have singles domes, family domes, straight domes, gay domes, religious domes of all types, even (heaven forbid) black or white domes. You wouldn't have to force this separation either (and you shouldn't force integration either). People tend to separate themselves into these groups naturally. I would just build a lot of living space with a lot of separation and leave the rest up to the people.

clark · 2003-12-08 10:25:13

Thanks Ian.

I'm not against people building a community of like minded individuals. I am against a community that does not allow people to live in their community becuase they happen to not act as the group would wish. A bit of a contradiction, but the alternative is the ghettoization of Mars, as we have seen on Earth.

It leads to a lot of social conflict that will end up getting a lot of people good and killed.

If we build a dome for 'gay', and one for 'straight', what do we do if we can't fill either one? What if the white dome is half empty, and the black dome is full, and the black dome needs more living space?

It's a social problem that ultimelty undermines any 'utopia'. Don't play the game of social god. You can't win.

Seperating families and singles is based on saftey concerns, and freedom of movement for adults. Children in a space setting is dangerous- parents with children in a space setting can be even more dangerous becuase they provide the sensible reason to reduce personal liberty and privacy.

If there is a saftey issue, there is legitimate reasons for society to make some rules. When there isn't, there is just abuse.

A.J.Armitage · 2003-12-08 14:45:57

Wow... clark talks sense.

clark · 2003-12-08 14:48:30

Wow... so does A.J. :laugh:

Martinkh · 2004-01-21 19:05:41

To start with, I imagine first, military style, followed by kibbutz. When private industry and regular immigration starts, as building technology improves housing options will pick up.

I would imagine the smart way to do it is pick a ridge or even a partial crater on the side of a ridge, then bore a hole in and start cave networks. The walls can be shored up and sealed with plastic. This way, instead of bringing houses along or starting wholesale mfg, you can bring a boring machine and buttloads of the appropriate plastic resin, and of course doors and airlocks and the various pieces of hardware and mechanicals for ventilation and wiring/lights all that.

BTW here is a cool link for good ol earth [http://www.earthshelter.com]www.earthshelter.com

Martinkh · 2004-01-21 19:11:08

...I suggest separate lifestyles equals separate domes. You could have singles domes, family domes, straight domes, gay domes, religious domes of all types, even (heaven forbid) black or white domes...

First off, people should not be selected for PC criteria. If black and white scientists an engineers go, the racial differences will mean nothing. If you start importing affermative action types, then we just transported racial conflict. While the govt is paying the tab, we should be hauling homosexuals up either. Most are way too unstable, look at suicide rates. Also, health issues exist among male homosexuals that a new colony cannot afford. I am not just talking aids either.

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