Merging Cells

Finalist of Villa on the Moon

+ Finalist

Villa on the Moon

[12929]

Merging Cells

Team

Name: Yuan Li

Instagram: l_yuan_i

Nationality: China

Institution / Company: Columbia University / KPF

Introducing “Merging Cells” an avant-garde approach to extraterrestrial architecture that combines advanced robotic construction with the principles of biological growth. This project employs 3D printing technology to utilize lunar regolith, enabling the construction of residential structures directly on the Moon’s surface. This method not only champions sustainability by reducing waste but also leverages local materials to diminish the environmental impact of off-world colonization.

Inspired by the organic process of cellular merging, this project envisions a flexible residential network that grows and adapts organically. The village is structured on a grid where each habitational ‘cell’ can expand, merge, or transform according to the communal and individual needs of its inhabitants, mimicking the adaptive and resilient characteristics of biological organisms.

Each unit is engineered to ensure it can sustain lunar conditions—protecting its residents from cosmic and solar radiation while maintaining internal atmospheric pressure. “Merging Cells” represents a sustainable, scalable solution for living on the Moon, setting a precedent for future architectural endeavors in space and on Earth.

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