Excavating Earth for valuable materials has been a critical process for the advancement of societies since the earliest known civilisations. This human behaviour and occupation has caused huge transformations to the Earth’s geology. These leftover spaces are widely known as the Anthropocene landscape.

Today, Curiosity explores Mars, in search of life and new resources on the Red Planet. With the possibility of colonising unknown worlds our habitation must respond to new extraterrestrial challenges. Martian lava tubes have been identified as possible outposts for manned missions and sites for future living. They offer natural conditions that protect against the harsh Martian environments. Similar geological conditions exist on Earth, formed from the same volcanic processes. Lanzarote is currently used by the European Space Agency for field research and training due to its similarities with Martian geology and mineralogy.

The project investigates the possibility of subterranean human habitation on Mars. It proposes an underground test facility in Lanzarote, to research, simulate and experience subsurface living that may one day support Martian civilisation. Locally extracted minerals are processed and reinstated within the leftover caves to construct spaces of comfort and familiarity, exploring macro- to micro-landscapes, gradating from hard to soft, dark to light.