The Paris Architectural Bureau XTU has developed the concept of stable settlements for deserts. Their project is called Flohara, and it was created for the Venetian Biennale to show what useful residential real estate can be built in the Sahara. However, such dwellings are suitable for any other desert climate, where sand is predominant material.
The Flohar project shows how French architects see possible settlements in deserts. The main idea is the construction of what is at hand, that is, sand. XTU proposes to use light, easily transported inflatable bubbles as the basis of structures. These bubbles can be created anywhere and delivered to the place, or they can be produced locally near the construction point.
The bubbles are installed properly, and then they are “framed” with sand. In fact, sand, water and hydrogel are mixed with the bacteria SPOROSARCINA PASTEURII. This bacterium makes the sand harden. The prepared mixture spray the bubble. For some time the structure is left to dry under the sun.
All this is only on XTU paper only. They offer their idea of developing cities in the desert, explaining their concept virtually. Interestingly, they do not mention solar panels in the project, but they talk about the systems of deep wells with which it will be possible to get water for growing vegetables.