Proteus - The LARGEST UNDERWATER RESEARCH STATION

The Proteus is an underwater habitat, a version of the International Space Station designed by Fuseproject's Yves Behar for aquanaut Fabien Cousteau, grandson of famous undersea explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. It will be a platform for global collaboration amongst leading researchers, academics, government agencies, and corporations to strengthen science in areas such as medicine, genetics, sustainable energy, and food cultivation.

The project is named for Proteus, the Greek primordial sea god, who was known for possessing the knowledge of all things - past, present, and future. This is where the project inspiration comes from. The majority of the oceans and underwater life remain unexplored and there is a huge potential for new discoveries.

At 4,000 square feet, the submarine is the largest underwater habitat to date and can accommodate up to 12 people at once. It is designed to be modular that can be expanded and upgraded in multiple ways. Multiple pods are attached to the main body and can be used as laboratories, sleeping quarters, bathrooms, medical bays, life support systems, and storage. The largest pod contains a moon pool allowing submersibles to dock.

The two-level construction is connected by a spiral staircase enabling physical movement among inhabitants in common spaces including a living room, kitchen, dining, work areas, and the first underwater greenhouse.

To allow a longer and comfortable underwater staying, Proteus will be designed to collect as much light as possible from windows on the top and around all sides of the construction.