Lunar Real Estate
All lunar settlements are within atmospherically contained biomes made from aluminium oxynitride - see-through extremely strong aluminium. These biomes prevent the extreme loss of heat (during night) and increase in heat (during day) that occurs on the moon's surface due to the lack of atmosphere, and also ensure that everyone within them can breathe. Most developments take place within these biomes, as they are very expensive to make and maintain. Eventually, lack of space may become a concern, but at this point in time, the amount of land within the biomes available for development far outstrips the demand.
These biomes have multiple layers of redundancy built into them, so that if one part of the design fails, people don't just suddenly die.
Real estate on the moon is split into two categories: exorbitantly expensive new-build properties, and renovated former government complexes. Most of the people who live on the moon because of work live in the latter, but there is a not insignificant market for the former.
Glass is a prominent feature in these homes. Large windows looking out over immaculately landscaped grounds, and skylights in particular are popular. Most houses are constructed using inflatable moulds that are filled with water, and then concrete. Plastic detailing is also common – usually custom designed, and 3D-printed to order.
As wood is very rare on the moon, due to the difficulties with sourcing it on the moon (trees grown on the moon must be specifically genetically engineered to survive in lunar soil and gravity, and wood is an expensive import) wood-imitation materials are popular. These usually take the form of cementitious board cladding that has been textured to look like wood, e.g. Hardie Plank (see below).
As with all public spaces in lunar settlements, gardens are designed around magnetic walkways which people can walk along with the help of special magnetic boots. Any soil in these gardens must be imported, which makes green spaces an expensive luxury. Most gardens feature a very thin layer of top soil, with lunar soil beneath. As such, grass is common, but anything with a deeper root system is rarer, as either much more soil must be imported, or the plant in question must be genetically engineered to survive in lunar soil.
Water features are not common in these gardens, either. Due to the low gravity on the moon, water features are messy. Gardens are kept irrigated by complex water systems beneath the ground – sprinklers are not used.
Expensive homes on the moon often feature pools. Swimming is very popular on the moon, considered by many to be the planetary sport, but water is a finite resource on the moon, and as such it is rare to have a private pool. Pools are held in enclosed spaces to prevent water getting everywhere.
Expensive Houses
Most homes in high price brackets are sold pre-furnished. Some of these go on to become high-end holiday properties, whilst others become permanent or long-term residences for the moon’s richer citizens. The most prevalent architectural style on the moon is mid-century modern – an architectural style from the 60s which features flat-looking houses with low ceilings. This is partially due to the fact that high-ceilings are not an especially good idea in low-gravity environments, and partially due to high-ranking members of Antikythera popularising the style among the moon’s upper class.Affordable Housing
Most people on the moon do not, however, live in mansions. Most of the affordable housing on the moon takes the form of renovated former government buildings from the first wave of moon colonisation. These are usually modular homes made from box-like segments that were shot up into space and snapped together. They were usually prebuilt – with furniture built into the homes or bolted to the floors and walls. Though these homes are most often renovated before they are placed on the market, the quality of the renovation varies. Some are practically untouched; others have been given additional architectural flourishes. Usually, the better the renovation, the higher the price.
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