Hong Kong, 8 June 2021 ————– Founder and Managing Director of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, architect Thomas Schmidt presented his award-winning Lunar Hotel and Research Base concept at the “Sci-Fi to Reality Hybrid Forum” held at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
The event was organized by The Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Hotel & Tourism Management. The hybrid live / webinar event also featured speakers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong as well as Orion Astropreneur Space Academy (OASA).
A Hotel on the Moon?
Schmidt’s presentation revolved around his concept for a lunar habitat located at the lunar south pole. His concept was preceded by an overview of current space tourism trends, and an overview of the lunar environment. This was followed by identifying fundamental design and development considerations relative to lunar construction.
A Reality Check
Schmidt shared his thoughts about the reality of constructing such a facility on the moon. Topics included design for resiliency, disaster planning, and the provision of essential services — including air, water, power, food, and thermal comfort. He also identified many of the challenges associated with the transport and fabrication of construction materials using in-situ resources. An overview of key legal issues was provided, including the need for forming an international regulatory framework. Schmidt remarked, “we might even see a new ‘Extraplanetary Law’ legal sector emerging in the coming years.”
The Guest Experience
A sample itinerary and potential activities for would-be lunar tourists was also outlined. Schmidt remarked, “in addition to an extensive pre-departure training period, visitors would probably need to allocate at least a month for quarantine, transport, their ‘moonstay,’ the return trip to Earth, and follow-up evaluations.” The presentation concluded with the role today’s hospitality industry might play in the advent of space tourism. Schmidt likened the human resource requirements to the cruise ship industry, where support is needed on both land and at sea. “There would need to be a robust system of human capital both on Earth, and to a lesser extent on the moon,” Schmidt surmised.
The forum concluded with a question and answer session involving both live attendees and online webinar participants.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO RECORDING OF THE PRESENTATION
Editor’s Note: Thomas Schmidt, AIA, NCARB, ANZIA, LEED AP, WELL AP is the founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an award-winning design multi-disciplinary consultancy specializing in creative and sustainable design solutions for the hospitality industry. Schmidt won a NASA award in 2020 for his innovative design of a Venus Rover obstacle avoidance system. He is also author and illustrator of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series which seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures, which was recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) through a 2010 Chapter Citation.