Page

Buildings are the infrastructure of your Martian colony. Each serves a specific purpose, from resource extraction to colonist housing.

Building Categories

Buildings are organized into functional categories:

• Infrastructure: Power, water, and connectivity
• Production: Resource extraction and manufacturing
• Life Support: Oxygen, water distribution, and food
• Domes & Housing: Colonist homes and dome structures
• Services: Healthcare, entertainment, and comfort
• Research & Science: Technology advancement
• Storage: Resource depots and tanks

Infrastructure Buildings

Power Generation

Stirling Generator

Reliable constant power source. Burns no fuel, requires no workers.

Pros:

• Works 24/7 regardless of weather
• Cheap to build
• No fuel consumption

Cons:

• Moderate power output
• Requires periodic maintenance

Strategy: Build 2-3 as backup power for critical systems.

Wind Turbine

Variable power based on wind strength. Martian winds make these highly effective.

Pros:

• Free energy, no fuel
• Better output than Earth equivalents (thin atmosphere)
• Long maintenance interval

Cons:

• Variable output (dust storms can shut down)
• Tall structures (place away from domes)

Strategy: Build 4-6 as primary power source. Overcapacity compensates for variability.

Solar Panel

Generates power during daylight hours only.

Pros:

• Decent power output when sunny
• Moderate cost

Cons:

• Zero output at night (Martian day = 24.6 hours)
• Dust storms shut down production
• Requires cleaning (drones)

Strategy: Use with batteries for night power. Less reliable than Stirling/Wind.

Connectivity

Power Cable

Connects power generators to consumers. Buildings must be connected to function.

Tips:

• Plan power grid before building
• Use shortest routes to save concrete
• Redundant paths prevent single-point failures

Pipe

Distributes water from extractors/tanks to domes and buildings.

Tips:

• Connect water extractors to domes
• Place water tanks at network hubs
• Repair leaks immediately (wastes water)

Production Buildings

Concrete Extractor

Extracts sulfur-based concrete from deposits. Essential first building.

Placement:

• Must be placed on concrete deposits (yellow hexagons)
• Up to 3 extractors per deposit
• Deposits are infinite but production slows as depleted

Management:

• Build Waste Rock Dump nearby (production stops when full)
• Ensure drone coverage for resource transport
• Research Extractor AI for automated operation

Strategy: Build 2-3 extractors immediately after landing.

Metal Extractor

Extracts metals from underground deposits.

Placement:

• Requires scanning to reveal metal deposits
• Deeper deposits yield more but deplete faster
• Geologists increase production by 20%

Upgrades:

• Deep Metal Extraction: +50% production
• Extractor AI: Removes worker requirement

Strategy: Build 1-2 initially, expand as colony grows.

Water Extractor

Extracts water from underground ice deposits. Critical for colonist survival.

Production:

• 10 units/Sol base production
• Geologists provide 20% bonus
• Deposits deplete over time (very slowly)

Colony needs:

• 1 extractor supports 30-50 colonists (depends on tech)
• Build near domes for efficient piping
• Always have backup extractor

Tech upgrades:

• Water Extractor Amplification: Doubles production
• Water Reclamation: Halves colonist consumption

Rare Metal Extractor

Extracts valuable rare metals for export or electronics production.

Economy:

• Primary income source for colony
• Export 1 unit = $30M funding
• Also needed for electronics (1 per unit)

Placement:

• Requires deep scanning to reveal deposits
• Deposit quality varies (scan info shows grade)
• Limited deposits per map

Strategy: Build 2-3 extractors, export surplus rare metals for funding.

Life Support Buildings

MOXIE (Oxygen Production)

Generates breathable oxygen from Martian CO2 atmosphere. Essential for all domes.

Function:

• Pipes oxygen into connected domes
• Works automatically (no workers)
• Must be connected via pipes to dome

Capacity:

• 1 MOXIE supports 1 basic dome
• Larger domes need 2-3 MOXIEs
• Always build backup units

Failure = colonist death: Oxygen loss kills colonists in ~1 Sol.

Farm

Produces food crops to feed colonists.

Requirements:

• Must be inside a dome
• Requires soil preparation (one-time, takes 5-10 Sols)
• Needs 10 Botanist workers
• Consumes 1-2 water/Sol

Production:

• Feeds 20-25 colonists
• Takes ~5 Sols to first harvest
• Continuous production thereafter

Crops:

• Research unlocks different crop types
• Some crops provide comfort bonuses
• Yields increase with technology

Strategy: Build when population reaches 15-20. Train non-specialists into Botanists at University.

Hydroponic Farm

Advanced farm with higher yields. No soil preparation needed.

Advantages:

• 40% higher production than regular farm
• No soil preparation delay
• Can be built earlier in dome lifecycle

Disadvantages:

• Higher water consumption
• More expensive to build
• Still needs 10 trained workers

Strategy: Build after researching hydroponics tech. Better for water-rich maps.

Domes & Housing

Basic Dome

Standard starter dome. Sufficient for early colony.

Characteristics:

• Medium-sized interior space
• Fits 2-3 apartments + services
• Cheapest dome option

Layout suggestions:

• 2 Living Complexes (12 colonists each)
• 1 Farm or Hydroponic Farm
• 1 Grocer
• 1 Diner or other service building
• 1 Infirmary

Micro Dome

Smallest dome. Used for specialized purposes.

Uses:

• Research outpost (Research Lab only)
• Factory hub (Polymer Factory, Machine Parts)
• Tourist attraction
• Scout dome for new areas

Not recommended for: Main residential domes (too small)

Medium Dome

Larger dome for growing colonies.

Capacity:

• 4-6 apartments
• 2 farms
• Multiple service buildings
• Specialized facilities (university, hospital)

Strategy: Transition to medium domes around Sol 50-100 as population grows.

Living Complex

Basic housing structure. Most common residence.

Features:

• Houses 12 colonists
• Provides basic comfort (30)
• Compact footprint (1 hex)

Strategy:

• Build 2 per basic dome
• Add more as population grows
• Upgrade to apartments later for better comfort

Service Buildings

Grocer

Distributes food to colonists. Essential in every residential dome.

Function:

• Colonists visit to receive daily food ration
• Stores 20 food units
• Automatic drone resupply from depots

Strategy: 1 Grocer per 20-30 colonists.

Diner

Social gathering place. Satisfies “Dining” and “Social” interests.

Benefits:

• Increases colonist comfort
• Social interaction venue
• Satisfies 2 interests simultaneously

Strategy: Build 1-2 per residential dome.

Infirmary

Basic medical facility. Restores colonist health.

Function:

• Colonists visit when health is low
• Restores +20 health per visit
• Medics increase effectiveness

Upgrade: Medical Center (larger capacity, better healing)

Strategy: Build in every residential dome. Upgrade to Medical Center later.

Research Buildings

Research Lab

Generates research points to unlock technologies.

Production:

• Base: 150 research/Sol with non-specialist workers
• Scientists: 300 research/Sol
• Genius trait: +150 research/Sol

Capacity:

• 1 lab sufficient for early game
• Build 2-3 labs for faster research

Strategy: First research priority after housing. Train Scientists at University.

Storage Buildings

Universal Depot

Stores all solid resources (metals, concrete, polymers, food, machine parts, electronics).

Function:

• Automatic drone storage/retrieval
• Radius determines coverage area
• Drones prioritize nearest depot

Strategy:

• Build 1 depot per industrial zone
• Place near production buildings
• Ensure coverage overlaps for efficiency

Water Tank

Stores water in distribution network.

Strategy:

• Place at network junctions
• 1 tank per 20-30 colonists
• Provides buffer during production interruptions

Building Strategies

Early Game Priorities (Sol 1-30)

1. Concrete Extractor x2
2. Metal Extractor x1
3. Water Extractor or Moisture Vaporator
4. Power: Stirling Generator x2 + Wind Turbine x3
5. MOXIE for oxygen
6. Basic Dome + housing

Mid Game Expansion (Sol 30-100)

1. Farms for food self-sufficiency
2. Machine Parts Factory
3. Polymer Factory
4. Rare Metal Extractors for income
5. Research Lab for tech advancement
6. Second dome (specialized)

Late Game Optimization (Sol 100+)

1. Automated extractors (Extractor AI tech)
2. Advanced domes (Medium/Large)
3. Wonder construction
4. Terraforming buildings (DLC)
5. Tourism infrastructure

Building Placement Tips

• Group by function: Industrial zones separate from residential
• Minimize cable/pipe lengths: Saves concrete
• Drone coverage: Ensure all buildings in hub range
• Maintenance access: Leave space for drones to reach buildings
• Aesthetics: Hidden underground passages (Advanced Construction tech)

Related Pages

• Resources - What buildings produce/consume
• Colonists - Who works in buildings
• Technologies - Building upgrades and new structures
• Getting Started - Building order for beginners