From: snidely.too@gmail.com   
      
   Snidely asserted that:   
   > Alain Fournier suggested that ...   
   >> Elon Musk wants to colonize Mars soon. I am wondering what would be a good   
   >> design for a Martian colony. I am assuming the following:   
   >> 1. Colonists will want to have private quarters (where others can’t go   
   >> without consent).   
   >> 2. Colonists will want to be able to evacuate their habitat rapidly (in   
   >> case of fire for instance). And do so from two opposite ends of their   
   >> habitat. Here rapidly probably means without putting on a spacesuit, unless   
   >> one can design a spacesuit you can slip into in about 2 seconds.   
   >> 3. Point 2, applies even if there is a party in the private quarters of a   
   >> colonist (therefore, you can’t just have a shelter sufficient for the   
   >> number of inhabitants of a given habitat).   
   >> 4. Colonist will want to be able to go see other colonist or go to work   
   >> without having to put on spacesuits.   
   >>   
   >>   
   >> My solution, and I am not sure it really is a good one, is to make habitats   
   >> in pairs. Have two habitats in a big tube, and a passageway between the two   
   >> habitats. The tube as a whole is pressurized, so you don’t need an airlock   
   >> to get out of a habitat. You would have airlocks at the end of each tube.   
   >> So once everyone is evacuated from the tube, you can depressurize to put   
   >> out a fire. You also need to have sufficient ventilation capabilities in   
   >> the passageway. If there is a fire in one habitat, there is likely to be   
   >> some smoke going into the passageway. You don’t want to have to   
   >> depressurize to get rid of smoke every time someone burns his toasts.   
   >>   
   >> Workspaces (offices, labs, machine shops etc) would be similarly paired in   
   >> tubes, albeit possibly much bigger tubes.   
   >>   
   >> You can link the habitat tubes by the ends and sometimes on hubs. It would   
   >> be important to have a few hubs, not just a big loop with all the habitats   
   >> in a circle. Having crisscrossing “streets” allow you to go anywhere   
   even   
   >> if you have a section that is closed because of a fire, smoke or what not.   
   >>   
   >> What do you think? How would you design a colony?   
   >>   
   >>   
   >> Alain Fournier   
   >   
   > I expect that the first buildings will be very basic, like ISS modules.  The   
   > 2nd generation (of buildings) will probably build around the 1st, perhaps   
   > connected by a hub.  During both of these phases, most facilities will be   
   > communal, with perhaps "private" sleeping closets, but maybe also barracks   
   > style bunking.  But of course, these will be the advance team and not the   
   > Mayflower passengers.   
   >   
   > It won't be before the 3rd generation that "apartments" will be built, and   
   > that will probably be as a row of suites on a common hallway; perhaps a   
   > hallway in front or in back.   
      
   where "or" means "and"   
      
   > "Houses" will probably be a long way off.   
      
   I don't see "houses" before in situ building materials are in use,   
   which will probably require a significant support crew even if   
   fabrication is primarily with robotic equipment.   
      
   Your concern about suitless evacuation will probably involve   
   pressurized garages for excursion vehicles.   
      
   /dps   
      
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