Ahead of Britain’s first ‘Martian house’ opening its doors to the public, Metro Mayor Dan Norris got a first look of the space-age dwelling .
According to its designers, artistic duo Ella Good and Nicki Kent, the gold inflatable building right next to M Shed has been designed to support an imaginary community on the fourth planet from the sun, including withstanding temperatures as low as -63C and super high radiation levels.
The Bristol-based artists say their Building a Martian House project - which combines art and science - has been designed to make people think about what everyday life would be like if humans settled on the red planet. It aims to inspire people to look after our own planet a little better in the meantime.
Bringing together scientists, architects, engineers, designers and the public, the space house is powered by solar panels and boasts a hydroponic living room - filled with plants - private living space as well as virtual reality and life-support control rooms.
Between now and October, people young and old, are being invited to visit and help finish off the interior. All the essentials are up for debate, from Mars-appropriate clothes to wallpaper and toothbrushes, the focus being on items that are easy to repair and, ideally, multifunctional.
Mayor Norris, who is running an Explore Local campaign, said the project would no doubt inspire local people to think how a 'life on Mars', with low power, zero emissions and zero waste, can teach us all how to live just a little more sustainably here on earth.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “It’s great to see this Martian house land at M Shed, the very first space dwelling to be built in the whole country! This is a really important project - by imagining how we would live on Mars, the Martian House project offers a sharp lens on our lives here on planet Earth, helping focus conversations around how we can live more sustainably. It just goes to show how many amazing things to do we have right here on our doorstep. So whether going on an underwater adventure at Bristol Aquarium or getting a look at a house designed for life on the red planet next to M shed, let’s get out there and rediscover all Bristol, and our amazing region, has to offer”.
The Martian house is free to visit every Wednesday and Friday (from 10am to 1pm), and there is an accompanying programme of talks, panel discussions and workshops. For more information, visit the M Shed website.
