Trans-Gravity: The Third Genre in Space Architecture

This paper presents and details the premise for a theoretical research project in space architecture funded by the Austrian Chancellery of Art titled: TRANSCRIPTS OF AN ARCHITECTURAL JOURNEY: MUSINGS TOWARDS A NEW GENRE IN SPACE ARCHITECTURE. The premise is that space architecture, like any other field of architecture, is evolving continuously and needs to be recognized as such. To better understand this evolution, the project classifies it in to three genres: the 1st genre [Voyage d’Esprit] comprises of concepts introduced through science fiction books and films, the 2nd genre [Man-in-a-Can] encompasses the spaceships designed and built by space agencies, and the 3rd genre [Trans-Gravity] is being shaped by professional architects and designers external to the traditional domain of space agencies.

The paper discusses the first two genres and then goes on to contemplate the 3rd genre through case studies. The overall objective of this paper is to: (1) recognize and discuss the characteristics and contributions of the three genres, (2) establish a metaphorical base camp for future space architects, and (3) create new paradigms for the design of future spaceships.