THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED: GREENHOUSES AND THEIR HUMANIZING SYNERGIES

Kurzfassung

Co-authors Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger (architect and habitability researcher Vienna), Carrie Paterson (artist-researcher, Los Angeles), and Daniel Schubert (DLR-German Space Agency) consider the role of plants in long-term space missions historically since 1971 (Salyut 1) and propose design requirements for greenhouses and constructed environments given a range of plant-human relationships. Greenhouses in space will require advanced technical systems of automatic watering, soil-less cultivation, artificial lighting, and computerized observation of plants. In addition, functions discussed for plants in space habitats include physical/health requirements and human psychology, social cohesion, as well as the complex sensorial benefits of plants for humans. The authors cite recent research conducted by the German Space Agency (DLR) into the use of greenhouses in extreme environments to reveal the relative importance among of greenhouses for people living in isolated locations, and where greenhouses might factor into several strata of human health. In a recent design-in-use study of astronauts’ experiences in space habitats discussed in Architecture for Astronauts (Springer Press 2011) it was found that besides the basic advantages for life support there are clearly additional ‘side effects’ for habitability and physical wellbeing. Other researchers have also documented that astronauts’ experiences away from Earth extend beyond the scientific to include a strong spiritual, poetic and existential component, (1) though this has not been widely publicized by space programs and considered only minimally in programmatic requirements for space architecture. The authors have composed several key theses regarding the need to promote planthuman relationships in space, including areas where synergy and symbiosis occur. The justification is taken from A.) scientific research and astronauts’ experiences as detailed in Architecture for Astronauts, B.) current findings by space programs about habitability issues, and C.) Paterson’s investigation into the philosophical bases of horticulture within the thousands-of-years old traditions of penjing and bonsai. In terms of the latter, philosophical considerations will be introduced and discussed with references to philosopher of science Gaston Bachelard’s examination of the poetic imagination. Together the authors demonstrate the necessity and technology requirements to include plants, greenhouses and environmental design for the purpose of humanizing the experience of space travel, preventing psychological crises, improving efficiency of life-support systems, promoting health and well-being of astronauts, and creating supportive environments for communities in space.