1st Edition
Biological Design Beyond Earth Mycelium-Regolith Habitats for Space Exploration
List of figures
List of tables
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Research Context and Motivation
Methodology
1. Living on Mars
1 | 1 Martian Environment
1 | 2 Space Architecture
1 | 3 Habitats on Mars
1 | 4 Conclusions
2. Life as Technology, Mycelium as a Medium
2 | 1 Biomaterials and Biotechnologies
2 | 2 Mycelium
2 | 3 Mycelium in Space
2 | 4 Conclusions
3. Bio-Fabrication Technology for Martian Habitats
3 | 1 Integrating Biological and Architectural Processes
3 | 2 Material to Components (1st Order Assembly)
3 | 3 Components to Structure (2nd Order Assembly)
3 | 4 Conclusions
4. Mycelium-Regolith Composites
4 | 1 Experimental Framework
4 | 2 Exploration of the Design Space
4 | 3 Composites Fabrication
4 | 4 Conclusions
5. System Design
5 | 1 Adaptation to Architectural and Biological Requirements
5 | 2 Adaptation to Environmental Conditions
5 | 3 Design Framework
5 | 4 Conclusions
Discussion and Conclusions
Contribution
Limitations and Future Research Directions
Broader Context
Final Thoughts
Index
Biography
Monika Brandić Lipińska is a space architect and researcher. Her work explores how architectural design, in-situ resource utilisation, and living materials can shape resilient habitats that support human well-being in extreme environments and how insights from space can inform more sustainable approaches to building on Earth, emphasising resourcefulness, respect for ecological limits, and connection to place and people. She completed her PhD at the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment at Newcastle University, in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center, and holds a MSc in Architecture from Lund University, an MSc in Space Studies from the International Space University and a BSc in Architecture from Wrocław University of Science and Technology. With experience across Poland, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, she brings an international perspective to research, design, and teaching. She is the co-founder of the Bio-Futures for Transplanetary Habitats platform, which explores biosocial and biotechnological relations in extreme and space environments.
