Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF2019), themed "TOMORROW", looks towards addressing these by presenting "Building Beyond: Designing Spaceships, Habitats, Lunar, and Martian Bases", a programme that will explore the potential of space as an environment for future human habitation.

Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM)'s KLAF2019 Explores the Potential of Space as Our Next Home

When imagining locations where extra-terrestrial life could potentially dwell, few places inspire the imagination of scientists and researchers like one of Earth's closest neighbours, Mars. For years, Man has looked to Mars and envisioned it as a home for other beings, humans included.

Today, with the steady deterioration of Earth's environment and ecosystem, could life on Mars or in space be a pressing possibility?

Scientists, researchers and space associations are looking into space as a saving grace for mankind's future survival. In the 21st century, we have seen various threats to Earth's environment which will continue to escalate, leading our planet to destruction. We have seen problems escalating from invasive species, fatal diseases, extreme pollution, and drastic global warming. The basic human need for shelter has also been negatively affected as we face restricting space on earth, creating a high cost of housing across the globe.

Against this backdrop, the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF2019), themed "TOMORROW", looks towards addressing these by presenting "Building Beyond: Designing Spaceships, Habitats, Lunar, and Martian Bases", a programme that will explore the potential of space as an environment for future human habitation.

Presenting this topic is Dr Barbara Imhof, a world-renowned Space Architect from the LIQUIFER Systems Group. She will explore how these space settlements or colonies will look like and discuss the possibility, viability and sustainability of their construction.

Imhof's initiative for architectural possibility in space is literally sci-fi screenplay or novel plots come to life as a scientist and entrepreneurs race to make space migration possible for future human survival. In addition, she will present concept studies for lunar and Martian bases as well as building prototypes set within future scenarios for living on earth and in space. Research and development projects of LIQUIFER Systems Group serve to showcase and highlight topics of living self-sufficiently and with limited resources. "Building Beyond: Designing Spaceships, Habitats, Lunar and Martian Bases" will be held at The Paper, APW, A2D2, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur on 31st May 2019 at 7.45PM. Admission is free, however, seats are limited and require reservation through the KLAF app.

KLAF — organised by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) — is the main event of the architectural calendar in Malaysia. This year, the core events run from 21 June to 7 July. There are four key topics — Shelter, Future Food, Architecture + Art and DATUM:KL + ARCHIDEX.

For more information on KLAF2019, visit their website or Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep updated with the latest news with the official KLAF app, available on the App Store and Google Play.