While some look to Mars or the moon as the next habitable space for humans, conceptual designer and futurist Phil Pauley, founder of UK-based PAULEY digital consultancy, is looking beneath the surface of the ocean with his Sub-Biosphere 2 project.

"Sub-Biosphere 2 is the original self-sustainable underwater habitat for long-term human, plant and animal habitation," the principal designer explains.

The 60-story tall structure is designed to be self-sufficient, with built-in systems to manage air, water, food and electricity. While the center bio-dome monitors life-support operations, humans, plants and animals would live and interact in the eight surrounding domes.

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Sub-Biosphere 2 is part of Pauley's larger vision to start a discussion, and potentially attract investors, "to research and develop a self-sustainable underwater habitat." He's also developed a young adult fiction-fantasy series called "Moral Order," using Sub-Biosphere 2 as a pivotal location in the plot.

Pauley is no stranger to creating big-picture, futuristic designs. Survival rooms and marine solar cells are among his firm's other projects. As he explains, "it seems little point of working in conceptual design if we don't try to solve some of the key environmental issues of our time."

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You can see more of Sub-Biosphere 2 in the slideshow above. There's more on Phil Pauley at philpauley.com, as well as PAULEY at pauley.co.uk.

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