She has signed an MOU with Melbourne 3D-printing company Luyten , together with Associate Professor M . Hank Haeusler , UNSW ’ s Director of Computational Design , to research 3D-printing building components using site-specific materials from remote NSW – UNSW ’ s Fowlers Gap Research Station in western NSW – to the Moon and Mars . The project will identify the most feasible accommodation – the optimal material processes and design – for humans on other planets , using remote Australia as its test site . Computer scripts can remotely direct the 3D-printing of complex architectural structures .
In addition to aiding attempts to colonise the Moon and Mars , these processes will prove invaluable for addressing housing issues in remote Indigenous and fly-in-fly-out communities , for living in extreme climates , and working in disaster zones , such as earthquake-prone areas .
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We ’ re looking at vernacular architecture – such as mudbrick and adobe houses – as inspiration . Then 3D-printing building components using local materials , such as clay , soil , even regolith , a material found on the Moon . This will effectively transform the way we build , reducing our carbon footprint through the reduced need for freight , concrete and other harmful materials ,” says Kate Dunn .
Climate , energy and cities
Our collaboration
Kate Dunn is collaborating on the project , funded by Luyten and UNSW Arts , Design & Architecture , with :
> Associate Professor M . Hank Haeusler from UNSW ’ s School of Built Environment
> UNSW research assistant and former master ’ s student
Charlotte Firth > UNSW master ’ s student Alex Tohidi > Luyten > And UNSW ’ s Advanced Digital Fabrication undergraduate students .
UNSW ADA students and researchers collecting soil and clay samples for testing from Fowler ’ s Gap . Photo : Kate Dunn .
Creating Impact @ UNSW Arts , Design & Architecture 75 .