How To Build A Space Station: The Story of Architecture in Space

Jonathan Morrison, architecture correspondent for The Times, takes us on an exhilarating journey through time and space to explore how we make new habitats for ourselves beyond our home planet.

Morrison traces the evolution of space architecture from its theoretical and fictional origins in literature and cinema to its real-world applications. He delves into the development of near-Earth space stations—from the first Soviet orbital structures to Skylab, the ISS, and China’s Tiangong—unveiling how these innovations have shaped our understanding of space design.

The book will feature insights from architects, scientists, engineers, and space tourism pioneers, as well as astronauts who can offer first-hand accounts of what life in space is truly like. Morrison also examines how architecture designed for extreme environments on Earth, such as Antarctic bases and deep-sea research stations, informs our approach to making off-world habitats. Looking forward, he explores how lunar and Martian architecture will incorporate ground-breaking design concepts, new materials, and sustainable life support systems and discusses the burgeoning space tourism industry. Orbital hotels and luxury space cruises lie just over our horizon.

Finally, with Vitruvius’ ancient triad of principles for good architecture (strength, utility, beauty) in mind, this book will propose new ones, in answer to the fundamental question: how can we not only survive, but truly thrive in the vast expanses of space?