The One-Site Habitat Competition, the phase Kahn-Yates took part in actually involves five different stages of competition; Kahn-Yates was a finalist in the first stage as one of 18 teams submitting their proposals on May 16.

The Kahn-Yates proposal used what's known as Building Information Modeling software, which creates a 3-D digital version of a building or facility. In addition, portions of the BIM can be printed three-dimensionally at a smaller scale or even a full scale.

"This stage of the competition asks the participants to design habitats that will combine shelter with critical survival systems," Monsi Roman, program manager for NASA's Centennial Challenges Program, said in a statement. "We are asking them to look beyond the physical structure into the needs of our future explorers."

For Kahn, that meant things that would make space and The Space more bearable in a cold, tough environment far from home.

"We thought about how you make this more than just a work place, but a place you want to live because you're going to be there for who knows how long," Offak said. "It's many years, possibly, they could be there. We were one of the few teams who thought about putting a garden where they could grow food."