The Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA) is a unique research, design and teaching entity that supports the world’s only MS-Space Architecture program. The organization was founded in 1987 with a permanent $3 million endowment gift provided by the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation. This was the largest foreign gift ever received by the University of Houston.
SICSA’s central mission is to plan and implement programs that will advance peaceful and beneficial uses of space and space technology on Earth and beyond. Many of these activities address extreme terrestrial environments.
As with architecture on Earth, space architecture addresses the total built environment, not just its component elements and systems. This demands a broad understanding of issues and requirements that impact overall planning and design success. Important considerations include: influences of unique conditions of the space environment upon construction processes and material options; physiological, psychological, and sociological impacts of isolation and stress; and human factors design issues associated with human adaptation and performance in weightless and partial-gravity habitats.
SICSA is internationally recognized for its leadership in the field of space architecture. Many SICSA/Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture graduates have embarked upon productive and successful careers in government and corporate aerospace organizations throughout the world. NASA has awarded Certificates of Appreciation to SICSA for significant advanced design achievements and its activities and work products are routinely featured in US and foreign professional publications, popular magazines and radio and television features.
First established in 2003, the M.S. Space Architecture program responds to interests of aerospace engineers, social scientists and other specialists employed at NASA and associated organizations who wish to broaden their career development foundations and opportunities. Most attend the program on a part-time basis while retaining their jobs.
