Duravit: Martian House

A recently unveiled public art project in Bristol, UK, might finally allow us to experience life on Mars.

Titled “Martian House,” the project by artists Ella Good and Nicki Kent, in association with Hugh Broughton Architects and Pearce+, and funded by the Edward Marshall Trust, consists of what they believe a genuine prototype of a house on Mars would look like.

The house “will start off as an empty façade and will come to life thanks to alternating interiors that provide opportunities to collectively explore a new, sustainable culture. It is a place where people can research, experiment, and discuss: a blank canvas to try things out and imagine new perspectives for today’s lifestyles,” notes bathroom design and manufacturing company Duravit, who also contributed to the project.

“It will be Britain’s first Martian house, created not exclusively by specialists, but by many different people – from rocket scientists to primary school children. All participants will work together through a co-design process, each sharing their expertise, perspectives, and imagination with one another.”

The company did not only contribute innovative products, such as the SensoWash® Starck f but also the talents of development engineer Franziska Wülker, Head of Research and Development, Duravit AG.

Franziska is the creator of The Martian Toilet (winner of the 2020 NASA Lunar Loo Challenge), which can operate in both a weightless environment and on the moon.

“Mars is a relatively hostile environment for humans. Many activities that we take for granted on Earth are simply impossible on Mars. That’s why it’s so important that everyday items in the home are designed to be as simple and comfortable as possible. That applies especially to the things we don’t like talking about, such as using the toilet. For that reason, we’ve selected a toilet that is not too dissimilar to what we’re already familiar with. We’ve integrated a shower function, which is comfortable and hygienic – plus there’s a lot more water than toilet paper on Mars,” explains Franziska of her innovation.

The Martian House will be open to the public until the end of October 2022.