Thesis 2020-1

From Capital to Commons A Case of Class Struggle on the Moon

This project is inspired by the centuries long feud between the Capital and Commons.

It presents a new Capital-Commons dynamic and details the emergence of a self-organized society from a rigid, authoritarian Lunar Government.

It is story of how both the Capitalists and the Commoners utilize the harsh lunar environment to exert pressure against each other, resulting in a delicate balance of power between the Plutocratic Government of the Moon and the Lunar Commons.

Scientific and Theoretical Discussions on the current issue of space settlements

Chapter 1 The Establishment of the Lunar Colony

Artemis Lunar City

Commons Commodification

Exploitation & Alienation

Ideological Awakening

2045

2060

2052

2065

“Commons� by Capital

True Commoning

Commons Emergence

Commons Uprising

Site Location

Luna 3 City “Artemis” Apollo 15 Landing Site Apollo 17 Landing Site

Apollo 11 Landing Site Apollo 16 Landing Site

3km

Apollo 15 Site Photos

3km

ARTemIS - 2050

In 2050, the lunar city of Artemis is a prosperous city that produces Helium-3 and space manufactured products for Earth. It is privately owned and enjoys political autonomy.

A true free city.

Spaceship Launchpad

Zylon Cable

Space Elevator Anchor

The lunar space elevator enables large cargoes to be transported to and fro the Earth at a very low cost.

It is invested by the Lunaport Corporation which also controls the spaceport in the city

Control Tower Worker’s Dorm

Helium-3 Storage

Regolith Processor

The Moon is rich in Helium-3 and rare earth minerals. Infinite Energy Co. is the biggest mining corporation that refines Helium-3 from Lunar Soil for nuclear fusion. The price of Helium-3 is currently worth 100x than gold in 2020.

Space Glass Factory

Optical Fibre Factory

The low gravity of the Moon enables the production 100% pure fibre optics and 3D printed organs. Artemis Industries is cofounded by top scientific institutions in the world to research on advanced low-gravity manufacturing.

Regolith Refining Worker’s Dorms Regolith Excavation

The silica and aluminum rich soil of the Moon allows large infrastructure projects using local lunar materials. The Sky Palace Construction Company built Artemis from nothing and continues to dominated the market of space infrastructure construction.

Typical Labour Camp The prosperous faรงade of the city is supported by workers that do the dirty works. A typical mining camp like this can be found at the outskirts of the city where the lunar workers operates the machineries under the instant death environment of the moon.

Helium-3 Storage Water Tank

Regolith Processor

Regolith Heater Central Canteen

Habitats

According to Charles Cockell, the topology of control solidifies power to the few that controls the environmental system as they could easily threaten to shut down the oxygen supply if the workers do not obey their words, and the society will become increasingly authoritarian.

Chapter 2 Capital-created Commons to mitigate dissents

Artemis Lunar City

Commons Commodification

Exploitation & Alienation

Ideological Awakening

2045

2060

2052

2065

“Commons� by Capital

True Commoning

Commons Emergence

Commons Uprising

To resolve the problem, the companies decided to give the workers two choices. Those who wish to reject the capitalistic system can sign their name and live in relative freedom as long as he fulfill the production quota.

Lunar COOp A “Social-Enterprise” that produces space food

Lunar COOp

Radiation Protection Lava Tube Section Elevator Anchor

He3 Fusion Reactor

Natural Underground Lava Tube Constant Temp

-20oC

The fusion reactor that powers the space elevator it is originally installed here to keep away the radiation from the lunar surface for stable operation.

Being protected from the elements, the commons can be constructed very cheaply compared to the surface.

Lunar COOP The reactor was retrofitted to double up as an artificial sun and an environmental system is also installed and together, they provide light, oxygen and water to the surrounding farm and residence.

Radiation Protection

Artificial Sun Ground Connection Constant Temp

-20oC

Oxygen + Water Recycling

Lunar COOP

Radiation Protection

LunarCOOP Residence Constant Temp

-20oC

LunarCOOP Farm

Artificial Sun LunarCoop Residence Oxygen + Water Recycling

Farm Ring

Lunar COOP Farming System

Herbs, Greens, Fruits 98% Less Water Harvest Time = 21 days Tower Aeroponics

Stack Aeroponics

Connection to Ground

Commons residence 200 Commoners per tower x 8 = 1600 Commoners

Lunarcrete Modules In-situ PPVC Printing

Core Units

Aluminum Airlock

Lunarcret e Living Units

Lunarcrete Modules

7m

6.6 m Core Module

7m

5m Habitation Module

Lunarcrete Modules

6.4m

6.4m

6.1m

Core Module

4.4m

Habitation Module

Grow Pattern Regular System

Grow Pattern Customization

Section

Coconstruction

Tower Farms

Stack Farms

Chapter 3 An Illusion of Freedom

Artemis Lunar City

Commons Commodification

Exploitation & Alienation

Ideological Awakening

2045

2060

2052

2065

“Commons� by Capital

True Commoning

Commons Emergence

Commons Uprising

Artemis phase-3 Commodification of Lunar Resources 2060, Artemis became a popular tourist destination. A casino and hotel is constructed for the wealthy tourists and people flocked to see the historic Apollo 11 landing sites.

TO APOLLO 11 TOURIST SITE ARTEMIS HOTEL & CASINO

Artemis 2060

Artemis phase-3 Cultural Exploitation of the Commons The capitalists saw a chance to market the commons as an authentic place to experience lunar living.

They opened the farm ring to the tourists and forced them to convert farming towers to landscape planters and brands their produce as Luna Burger to the tourists.

The commoners realized that as long as the capitalists are in charge, they will always find various ways to exploit their labor or culture. The apparent freedom that they have in the commons is just a sugarcoat, a superstructural illusion created to exert a more subtle form of exploitation over them .

Artemis phase-3 An Architectural Mockeryç The surface-underground design serves as a mockery to the commoner’s position of the base, where their production is exploited by the capitalists on top.

SUPERSTRUCTURE

BASE (FOUNDATION)

However, according to the same theory, the superstructure is in fact heavily influenced by the production of the base economy, this is especially true on the Moon where the only source of fresh food is from the Commons.

Independence Through Self-Production

The Lunar Coop already provides the city with fresh green vegetables and proteins in exchange for energy water and oxygen.

If the commoners can start to create surplus food which they can keep for themselves and have their own supply of oxygen, they will be in a much better position to bargain with the capitalists.

Oxygen Independence

Chapter 4 Freedom in Commoning

Artemis Lunar City

Commons Commodification

Exploitation & Alienation

Ideological Awakening

2045

2060

2052

2065

“Commons� by Capital

True Commoning

Commons Emergence

Commons Uprising

Commons through CPR MODULE TYPOLOGIES

Commons through CPR ALGAE FARMS

Lunarcrete 14m

Algae Storage

10 kg algae for 1 person’s need of oxygen.

60% Protein Fast Harvest Rate (2 days)

Algae Tubes Anodized Aluminum Frame

5m

Growth Pattern ADDITION OF FARMING MODULES

Growth Pattern ADDITION OF FARMING MODULES

SPATIAL Commoning

Dorms

A COMMONS MEGAPROJECT

Shared Space Farms

A Commons Megaproject that involves mutual support, conflict, negotiation, communication and labor to manifest.

The culmination of the Commoning process of a lunar commons that blends production, governance, culture, and personal interests into one integrated system.

Luna Silica Glass Boxes

THE Lunar Vernacular Concrete Modules from Lunarcrete - High Ceiling - Windowless - Modular, Conforms to Grids Glass Greenhouse from Lunar Silica - Free Movement - Large Spaces - Community Events

ANODIZED ALUMINUM TRUSS

GLASS GREENHOUSE DORM MODULES

Light Aluminum structures from Lunar Aluminum - Light Construction - Long Spanning

SHARED SPACES

TALL FARMS

FARM RING

ELEVATOR ANCHOR

ALUMINUM TRUSS

GLASS GREENHOUSE ARTIFICIAL SUN

MOVEABLE CRANE

DORM MODULES

CORE MODULES

SHARED SPACES STACK FARMS ENVIRONMENT CONTROL ALGAE FARMS

FARM RING

Growth Simulations Not all commons would be able to grow into the dynamic towers like this, as it really requires the commoners to cooperate and resolve all kinds of conflicts within themselves.

As the towers grow, some might stagnate after a while and some might not choose to build the greenhouses altogether. The final spatial outcome of the commons lies in the hands of the commoners.

Click Picture to Play Video

THE COMMONS CAPITAL DIVIDE