Martian Migrators seek to discover and understand the beauty within the Martian landscape as well as themselves. They look to their own progress as well as the ever-developing settlement of humans from Earth; going beyond basic physiological needs, psychological growth needs, and progressing towards self-fulfilment.

The settlement will lay foundations across the planet for those that arrive, while passing on the skills, knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of their new home. Its aim is to understand what it means to be a thriving Martian, challenging human thriving alongside architectural and environmental thriving.

Growth should be a basic human need within any development on Mars; survival or scientific intent are not the only essential requirement. Instead, we must look to our well-being, explored through culture and moments of individualism to uphold thriving over time. The answer of how to thrive on Mars lies in how architecture allows these profoundly personal moments to be had, not by dictating, but by freedom of choice adapting through growth.

This is the project’s interpretation of thriving: Forming ‘non-essentials essential’ spaces for living on Mars.