At exactly 07:11 (CET) on January 15, a historic space launch will occur when the iconic Swedish red cottage with white accents transitions from a symbol of the Swedish countryside to a potential space icon. The Swedish Moonhouse will lift off from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, embarking on a four-month journey through space to become the first building on the moon. This vision is the brainchild of Swedish artist Mikael Genberg, who notes that it has taken “25 years” for this dream to materialise.

Mikael Genberg is recognised for his spectacular and thought-provoking art projects. The vision of the Moonhouse has already travelled the world through his artistic endeavours—appearing in trees, underwater, on top of the Globe arena, along the Great Wall of China, and aboard the International Space Station (ISS), 400 kilometres above Earth, as a companion to Sweden’s first astronaut, Christer Fuglesang.

The Moonhouse, the first house on the moon, represents humanity’s capacity to attain the seemingly unattainable through boundary-crossing thoughts and collaborations. It may also serve as a symbol of humanity’s eternal and collective striving—a perspective on existence with an eye towards Earth.

The journey of the Moonhouse is as much about the process as it is about the final product. Over the past two and a half decades, particularly in the last three years, the project has garnered the attention and support of hundreds of individuals from diverse fields, including art, space technology, business, and sports. These contributors have invested their expertise and resources to propel the Moonhouse toward its lunar destination, co-creating an iconic piece of artwork. This collaborative effort has rejuvenated the project, transforming it into a collective adventure that symbolises the power of imagination and teamwork. The initiative aims to be a hopeful emblem of what we can achieve together.

By placing something as simple and grounded as a red house in the moon's remote, inhospitable, and colourless environment, Genberg challenges our perception of what is possible and meaningful in the cosmos. Moreover, the Moonhouse carries a poetic significance. It not only reminds us of our roots and home on Earth but also symbolises our dreams and ambitions to explore and expand beyond our known boundaries.

“Perhaps the first house on the moon can be a symbol of life’s eternal quest to survive and develop, to move human consciousness and to be an eye on Earth,” says Mikael Genberg.