Luxury Doomsday Bunker

ABIBOO Studio pulls from their expertise in space architecture to develop a luxury doomsday bunker

Original article By Katherine Guimapang Jan 7 2021, Archinect.com

“Semi-prefabricated steel solutions, seismic joints, and absorbent materials are the main components of the construction structure. This composition mitigates the consequences of potential climatic, chemical, biological, or even nuclear calamities.” Image courtesy of ABIBOO Studio

2020 taught us to embrace the indoors. However, as the world enters 2021, some may feel more propelled to seek out shelters that can protect them from calamity. At least that’s how the New York and Miami-based practice ABIBOO Studio explains their latest project, the DBX Doomsday Bunker.

Led by Spanish architect and designer Alfredo Munoz, the firm’s work focuses on many design projects that revolve around architecture, technology, interiors, and research and development. Munoz is also a member of the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) and recognized on an exclusive list of Space Architects. Here he pulls from the firm’s expertise in space architecture and luxury living to develop DBX.

“The shelter can accommodate up to two family groups and a maximum of ten people. It occupies 12,000 square feet and is accessed through a lifting military-grade door camouflaged on a green-covered hill.” Project visual and description courtesy of ABIBOO Studio

“The entrance is built with reinforced materials and has an opening system with a personal remote key.” Project visual and description courtesy of ABIBOO Studio

DBX is “an underground bunker created as a shelter for catastrophic events and guarantees its inhabitants’ survival for at least one year,” shares the studio.

The studio has had practice developing shelters that could withstand harsh environments and extreme conditions. Their experimental work on space habitation, specifically on Mars, was listed under the firm’s Think Tank section of their site and presented during the 23rd Annual International Convention of The Mars Society. They conducted a presentation on their work Nüwa Martian City, Explained, a project done in collaboration with the SONet network.

Project visual courtesy of ABIBOO Studio

Project visual courtesy of ABIBOO Studio

Project visual courtesy of ABIBOO Studio

Straightforward with their project’s description, they share, “it is a survival shelter in case of an apocalypse, but it is also planned as a completely self-sufficient second home. The relationship with nature, both inside the house and in its large plot, allows enjoying both short stays and continuous period longer stays in case of emergency or a long-term lockdown.”

“The bunker is conceived in modular spaces surrounding a hydroponic garden, which acts like an underground greenhouse. This space solves one of the main challenges of the project, which is food production.” Project visual and description courtesy of ABIBOO Studio

While the project’s inner workings and structural details are intriguing, my question is, who exactly is this type of shelter for, and at what cost? Construction of the shelter consists of “continuous barrel vaults” and reinforced inverted beams to help with structural stability and resilience to withstand heavy impact from external forces.

While a DMX doomsday bunker is set to be built in an undisclosed location in South Carolina, per request of their client, the firm shares that their client is a “self-confessed ‘prepper’ that wants to be ready for a potential calamity.”