Southern Construction Framework contractors unite to create home ready for life on Mars

18th August 2022

‘Amazing’ Southern Construction Framework contractors unite to create home ready for life on Mars

Pioneering ‘Martian House’ art project gets lift-off thanks to £170,000 worth of support in ‘unprecedented’ collaboration from eight leading contractors

Southern Construction Framework (SCF), a leading construction procurement framework delivered by the public sector for the public sector, has risen to the challenge of preparing for life on Mars.

The organisation and its network of suppliers have been hailed as “amazing” after rallying behind plans to build a full-scale ‘Martian’ house, a two-storey gold inflatable house in the heart of Bristol, designed to showcase the possibilities for human life on Mars.

As part of a group of construction companies led by SCF Construct, BAM, Galliford Try, ISG, Kier, Morgan Sindall, SCF Construct, Sir Robert McAlpine, Wates Construction and Willmott Dixon have generously donated time, expertise and resources worth an estimated £170,000 to bring the art project to life.

The companies sprang into action in support of the five-year project spearheaded by artists Ella Good and Nicki Kent after they asked SCF to help them turn their vision into reality.

SCF contractors have contributed with the build and materials for the Martian House project which is based at the M Shed Square in Bristol, as part of an ongoing public art project, Building a Martian House.

In a move that underlines its commitment to promote collaboration, the SCF response has been led by Emma Bull, SCF Senior Framework Manager.

The project has so far brought together space scientists, architects, engineers, designers and the public to explore how we live today and stimulate visions for new ways of living here on Earth and on Mars.

The artists behind Martian House have been full of praise for the invaluable backing from Southern Construction Framework and its construction industry partners.

A team led by world experts in extreme architecture, Hugh Broughton Architects,

working in partnership with design studio Pearce+, developed the design. They created a lightweight prototype building which could be easily transported to Mars whilst withstanding its inhospitable conditions.

The team worked alongside scientific and engineering experts Professor Lucy Berthoud, Dr Bob Myhill and Professor James Norman from University of Bristol.

The house is now open and there will be a three-month programme of workshops, talks and events for all ages including a live panel discussion with the design team.

Find out more here – About – Building A Martian House