On 24-25 April 2025, Moscow will host the workshop ‘Space Auditor: Testing in Orbit’ - a platform where young architects and designers will be able to test their ideas for extraterrestrial missions. As part of the International Congress of Young Architects ICM ARCH 2025, participants from different countries will design stations, modules and even lunar settlements under the guidance of astronauts, scientists and space industry experts.
Why it matters. Space architecture ceases to be science fiction - it is already a professional field where not only engineering, but also psychology, ergonomics, and design play a key role. Valeria Barashkova, Sales and Marketing Director of Aerospace Capital, will tell us how to combine aesthetics and functionality in weightlessness.
Valeria is a practitioner with experience in spacecraft design: from gold pushers for UAE satellites to the updated blue-and-white Soyuz-2 that made the cover of Aviation Week. In the interview, she reveals why space needs architects, what Earth technologies will survive on the Moon, and how a workshop helps to ‘pump up’ the profession of the future.
- How do you assess the prospects for space architecture? Is it an established speciality?
- This field is actively developing. Already now we need specialists who understand the specifics of designing for space: radiation, microgravity, confined spaces. Workshops such as ‘Space Auditor’ are the first step towards training.
- What are the key challenges facing space architecture?
- The main thing is to adapt projects to extreme conditions: temperature differences, radiation, isolation. And here we cannot do without innovative materials and life support systems.
- What skills, apart from technical ones, are important to work in this field?
- It is crucial to understand the psychology of people. In a confined space, even the colour of the walls or the shape of a module affects the emotional state.
- What experience of yours will be useful for the workshop participants?
- For example, working on the design of the Soyuz-2 rocket. We took inspiration from Gagarin's historic Vostok and repainted it in blue and white colours - the result was on the cover of Aviation Week. And for customers from the UAE, we added gold pushers to the graphite containers - this is now our corporate identity.
- What are some of the non-obvious factors to consider when designing?
- Physical activity in weightlessness is not just a fad. Without exercise, astronauts lose muscle mass, and a boring environment provokes stress. Architecture should encourage movement and be pleasing to the eye.
- Innovation vs. feasibility: how to find the balance?
- Safety and functionality are a priority. The simpler the design, the more reliable. But this does not exclude experimentation: for example, 3D printing from lunar regolith is a promising direction.
- What Earth technologies will survive in space?
- Modular construction, solar panels, water recycling systems. Even design approaches: I admire Zaha Hadid - her futuristic style can inspire projects for orbital stations.
- What advice do you have for young architects?
- Explore and try! Last year, the president emphasised the importance of industrial design for technology. Beauty and functionality are also export potential.
- What trends will define space architecture in 10-20 years?
- Lunar bases, orbital stations, ship design for long-range missions. I am sure that the workshop participants will offer breakthrough ideas in these directions.
- How do such events influence the industry?
- They bring together space and architecture, and give birth to collaborations.
They also prove that even ‘earthly’ techniques can be a breakthrough in
designing for orbit.
- The main takeaway for participants?
- The space industry is open to architects. There are passionate people working here who are ready to change the future. Your task is not to be afraid to propose bold solutions!
Do you want to create a design for the Moon or rethink the design of rocket?
Join the ‘Space Auditor’ workshop and test your ideas in space conditions!
Why it matters. Space architecture ceases to be science fiction - it is already a professional field where not only engineering, but also psychology, ergonomics, and design play a key role. Valeria Barashkova, Sales and Marketing Director of Aerospace Capital, will tell us how to combine aesthetics and functionality in weightlessness.
Valeria is a practitioner with experience in spacecraft design: from gold pushers for UAE satellites to the updated blue-and-white Soyuz-2 that made the cover of Aviation Week. In the interview, she reveals why space needs architects, what Earth technologies will survive on the Moon, and how a workshop helps to ‘pump up’ the profession of the future.
- How do you assess the prospects for space architecture? Is it an established speciality?
- This field is actively developing. Already now we need specialists who understand the specifics of designing for space: radiation, microgravity, confined spaces. Workshops such as ‘Space Auditor’ are the first step towards training.
- What are the key challenges facing space architecture?
- The main thing is to adapt projects to extreme conditions: temperature differences, radiation, isolation. And here we cannot do without innovative materials and life support systems.
- What skills, apart from technical ones, are important to work in this field?
- It is crucial to understand the psychology of people. In a confined space, even the colour of the walls or the shape of a module affects the emotional state.
- What experience of yours will be useful for the workshop participants?
- For example, working on the design of the Soyuz-2 rocket. We took inspiration from Gagarin's historic Vostok and repainted it in blue and white colours - the result was on the cover of Aviation Week. And for customers from the UAE, we added gold pushers to the graphite containers - this is now our corporate identity.
- What are some of the non-obvious factors to consider when designing?
- Physical activity in weightlessness is not just a fad. Without exercise, astronauts lose muscle mass, and a boring environment provokes stress. Architecture should encourage movement and be pleasing to the eye.
- Innovation vs. feasibility: how to find the balance?
- Safety and functionality are a priority. The simpler the design, the more reliable. But this does not exclude experimentation: for example, 3D printing from lunar regolith is a promising direction.
- What Earth technologies will survive in space?
- Modular construction, solar panels, water recycling systems. Even design approaches: I admire Zaha Hadid - her futuristic style can inspire projects for orbital stations.
- What advice do you have for young architects?
- Explore and try! Last year, the president emphasised the importance of industrial design for technology. Beauty and functionality are also export potential.
- What trends will define space architecture in 10-20 years?
- Lunar bases, orbital stations, ship design for long-range missions. I am sure that the workshop participants will offer breakthrough ideas in these directions.
- How do such events influence the industry?
- They bring together space and architecture, and give birth to collaborations.
They also prove that even ‘earthly’ techniques can be a breakthrough in
designing for orbit.
- The main takeaway for participants?
- The space industry is open to architects. There are passionate people working here who are ready to change the future. Your task is not to be afraid to propose bold solutions!
Do you want to create a design for the Moon or rethink the design of rocket?
Join the ‘Space Auditor’ workshop and test your ideas in space conditions!