Скачать или смотреть Terminus, Mars – Episode 1: Martian Architecture

Terminus is the proposed name by Elon Musk for the first city on Mars.

Cities on Mars will not look like the cities we have on Earth.

The architecture of future Mars colonies will reflect a harmony between logistical practicality, resilience to extreme conditions, and the aspirational aesthetics of human settlement in an alien world.

Logistical Realities

To get started, every component of a Mars colony must first survive the journey through space. That means lightweight, prefabricated modules will dominate the early stages of settlement and will include expandable designs, like inflatable habitats that can be quickly deployed and shielded with local materials, providing an instant refuge for explorers.

But to reduce reliance on Earth, we’ll need to use what Mars itself provides. This approach is called in-situ resource utilization. Martian regolith—essentially the soil of Mars—will become the foundation of our architecture, molded into structures with cutting-edge 3D printing technologies and giving a burnt red aesthetic to Mars’ architecture.

Techniques and Construction

Robots will play a starring role in building our Martian future. Before humans even set foot on Mars, autonomous machines will prepare the ground, excavate resources, and begin construction of shelters.

Large-scale 3D printers could turn Martian soil into durable, sintered structures, while robotic arms assemble these into domes, tunnels, and walls.

To protect from the constant threat of radiation, many habitats will be buried underground or covered with thick layers of soil. But some designs might feature transparent domes filled with water, offering both shielding and stunning views of the alien sky.

Biological Considerations

Life on Mars will depend on intricate life-support systems. These habitats will recycle every drop of water, every breath of air, and every ounce of waste in closed-loop ecosystems. Plants will be essential—not just for food, but for oxygen and mental well-being.

To thrive in isolation, humans will need architecture designed to support their psychological health. Expect spaces that balance efficiency with comfort: natural light simulation, warm colors, and communal areas to foster connection.

Environmental Challenges

Mars is not for the faint of heart. The planet’s surface is battered by freezing temperatures, harsh dust storms, and radiation. Architecture will need to resist these challenges with cutting-edge solutions.

Insulated structures powered by solar or nuclear energy will keep settlers warm, while airlocks and automated cleaning systems will shield habitats from abrasive dust.

Mars is also geologically active, so buildings must be designed to endure marsquakes with flexible, reinforced foundations.

Aesthetic and Cultural Aspirations

As the colony grows, architecture will reflect humanity’s desire to create meaning. Expect designs to incorporate a distinctly Martian identity, shaped by the alien landscape and its challenges.

There might be grand monuments or artistic installations, symbolic of the unity and ambition that brought humanity to this new world.

The Layout of the Colony

A Martian colony will function as a self-contained city, with every piece serving a critical role. At its heart, a central hub will house life support systems, energy generators, and communication centers. Residential clusters will radiate outward, arranged for both safety and community.

Agricultural greenhouses—essential to life—will dot the landscape, growing food and supporting mental health with pockets of nature in an otherwise barren world. Further out, industrial zones will process resources like water ice and minerals, while remote outposts will serve as launch points for scientific exploration.


The architecture of a Mars colony will be a bold synthesis of necessity and ingenuity, shaped by the harshness of the Red Planet yet inspired by the boundless creativity of human ambition. It will echo the very essence of what it means to build a future in the face of the unknown.

And what the long-term occupation of Mars holds will be entirely up to our imagination.

https://x.com/OliverJRozynski