Brief

This site is a blackboard for sketching, drafting, writing and exchanging ideas about the near future of space habitation. It focuses on the emerging orbital settlements - manned or not - and is interested in forecasting their eventual srawl in relation to the global super urbanization. It is clear that the process has started already driven by the technological advancements, and it will be fueled further by the demographic growth and increased burden on the planet. The site welcomes everyone who is interested in imagining the ultimate megabuilding-megacity - The Spacescraper - as a dream or as a nightmare.

Abstract

Spacescraper

The Spacescraper is a forecast for a global structure on the edge between Earth and Space. A structure in orbit that forms the ultimate ‘mega city - mega building’ - an assemblage of independent growth initiatives, fueled by common interest, branching off from shared infrastructure and governed by physical and virtual restraints. It is both a direct descendant of the skyscraper archetype, emerging from the same principles of densification and compaction, and it is its complete antipode, establishing a new architectural language for the conditions of constant motion and weightlessness.
The project represents a step towards broadening the architectural perception of space where the established definitions of tectonics, direction or order are not applicable. It renders the familiar architectural reasoning of climate, exposure, footprint and massing as obsolete, while elevating its social impact to a new magnitude and scale. Pivotal categories as nationality, homeland and origin, as well as personal feelings of privacy, alienation and estrangement will be redefined with the new generations born on the Spacescraper.
Addressing human history as a continuous succession of expansion and colonization, the Spacescraper becomes a new frontier for the unknown within and outside us.
Powered by utilizing the vast energy of solar radiation, the Spacescraper is a new example of ultimate self-sufficiency and sustainability. Set outside the atmosphere in an environment where recycling is not only desirable, but crucial, the Spacescraper has the potential to be the first building with more positive ecological impact than ecological demand, relieving the planet’s surface from the burden of overpopulation and related pollution.
Clearly a theoretical proposal at this moment, the Spacescraper is an absolutely possible, if not imminent solution. Its construction has virtually already started with the launch of the first artificial satellite, and it continues with the rapid utilization and commercialization of orbital space.

1 comment:

Chernia said...

Hi Bore,
Congratulations! This is a killer project. I'll read thru and try to question whatever seems unstable.
As a start: why do you line the spacescraper as the next mankind frontier in light of our evolution and history? Isn't this a rather big jump at least in evolutionary terms?

I believe evolution is driven by survival and manifests itself in species adaptation to the everchanging environment. It seems our jump to a spacescraper living environment will be driven by something else.

I am sure you've never envisioned spacescraper as an Earth( our permenanet environment) alternative? It can support mankind in industrial space exploration but never replace our environment - we adapted for more than 10 mil years to it.

I am warming up...let me drink my coffee:-)