Building a Martian House

Competition 

 

Martian House, which will be installed at Bristol’s M Shed in 2022, was conceived by local artists Ella Good and Nicki Kent and will be brought to life by specialists in the fields of space exploration, extreme environments, and sustainability.

This competition is an exciting opportunity to be part of a cross-industry collaboration that has seen artists, scientists, architects, and engineers coming together to create a full-scale Martian house for the future. 

The finished build will be a fully functional, small accommodation inspired by future scenarios where humans live permanently on other planets. However, we not only want to deliver a functional and well-lit environment but also bring a home feel and personal touch to the Martian house. 

And this is where you come in to help us with the design of a pendant lampshade for the main living space. Located on the first floor, the main living space features a hydroponic living room, a kitchenette, and a floor-to-ceiling window with views over Princes Wharf in Bristol. Utilising 3D printing technology, we are looking for pendant lampshade designs that will consider sustainability, functionality and original aesthetics that will make a Martian house feel like a home. 

 

The competition is open to all members of the public, and participation can be both individual and in teams. The judging panel will select three finalists from submitted entries. Then, the winning lampshade will be 3D printed and installed in the Martian House, showcasing your design to thousands of people visiting the exhibition in 2022. 

Design brief


We are looking for pendant lampshade designs that will consider sustainability, functionality and original aesthetics that will make a Martian house feel like a home. Please consider the following when working on your design:

  • • 3D printable from 99.5% recycled material
  • • Designs can incorporate a colour selected from the following: Light Grey, Grey, Orange, Green, Red and Blue. No more than 1 colour should be selected per design 
  • • A semi-transparent, clear material is available. However, this should be used instead of a coloured material
  • • Maximum lampshade size is 300mm x 300mm x 300mm
  • • The LED Light source provides warm 3000K white light
  • • Beam angle of the LED Light source is 120 degrees
  • • Lampshade to utilise downward light only
  • • Lampshade is to be mountable over the rear of the LED lighting module

How to enter?


  • • All entries are to be submitted no later than 7th February 2022  to communications@whitecroftlight.com 
  • • Files should be submitted as hand sketches on the template provided or alternatively as 3D parts files as either 3D Part/STEP/STL file types 
  • • Submitted files should be no larger than 20MB
  • • Approximate dimensions are to be included in the sketch to indicate size and design intent
  • • Please also submit a short paragraph to explain your thought process and inspiration behind your design (max 250 words)
  • • Three finalists will be selected from entries and the winning lampshade will be 3D printed and installed in the Martian House
  • • Prizes will be awarded to the top three successful entries: £250 1st prize, £150 2nd and £100 3rd prize. Furthermore, Whitecroft Lighting will match the prize with a charitable donation to the winners' charity of choice.

 

Download a competition pack

If you have any questions, please get in touch