Facing overpopulation, resource depletion, and ecosystem collapse, humanity is turning to the final frontier: outer space. Space remains an enigmatic and violent expanse, filled with mysteries and secrets that continue to challenge human understanding. In this vast unknown, the Moon emerges as the closest and safest haven.

Fifty years after the last moon landing, renewed interest has galvanized international efforts to return to the Moon. Through the Artemis program, a crewless mission was launched in November 2022, with plans for humans to walk on the lunar surface by 2025. The Moon is poised to become a pivotal scientific base, likely yielding significant discoveries in the coming decades.

In this context, the Young Architects Competitions (YAC), in collaboration with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Topical Team on Planetary Caves, introduces Moon Station. This competition invites architects to design the first lunar research base, a groundbreaking endeavor rooted in the realities of future space travel. Moon Station seeks visionary designs that encapsulate humanity’s expansion beyond Earth, creating an iconic structure symbolizing the cutting-edge of human exploration.

Participants are challenged to create an architecture that will stand as a historical and legendary landmark, much like the Pillars of Hercules and Apollo 11. This lunar base will offer unique experiences, from viewing silver deserts and never-before-seen skies to walking among silent craters and observing Earth from a distant, black horizon.

YAC and ESA’s Topical Team on Planetary Caves extend their gratitude to all architects who embrace this revolutionary challenge, contributing to the dawn of a multiplanetary human civilization.