This architect designs underground cities for the wealthiest in case of World War III

Photo: Philip Pauley / Daily Mail

For most people, thoughts of the end of the world are a Hollywood movie plot, but for Philip Pauley's clients, it's a matter of strategic planning. Pauley, founder of the consulting company Pauley Interactive and an "operational resilience architect" who previously advised the US Navy and collaborated with BAE Systems, is now focused on designing new-generation underground complexes. His work involves creating autonomous closed-loop systems that can exist completely isolated from the outside world.

Pauley himself claims that interest in such projects is growing rapidly.

"There's a lot of activity underground. For a limited group of individuals, the process is moving very quickly," he says. According to him, clients include governments, military personnel, and individuals with enormous capital who are willing to pay hundreds of millions of dollars for construction carried out in strict secrecy.

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Photo: philpauley.com

However, the architect notes that most of those building bunkers don't think on a grand enough scale.

"They are relatively small, with the exception of a few US Army facilities, and are designed to help people survive for a maximum of three months. I can't reveal many details, but for now, everything remains at a level where people think in terms of months, not years," he says.

According to Pauley's estimates, these systems, when fully loaded, can last for a maximum of one year – and in his opinion, this is completely insufficient, because in the event of serious cataclysms, such as a major asteroid impact or World War III, the Earth's surface will be uninhabitable for years.

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Photo: Philip Pauley / Daily Mail

In addition to cosmic and military threats, the architect is seriously concerned about climate change. He foresees a scenario in which a collapse of major ocean currents is possible. As a result, at some point, the entire food system could collapse, and then "we will have something similar to a Martian environment here on Earth."

That's why his projects are based on the principle of a closed loop. Such complexes must remain completely autonomous for many years and as accurately as possible imitate Earth's natural ecosystems, independently producing food, purifying air, recycling waste, and sustaining life without external supplies.

The architect admits that significant technological advancements are still needed for this, but believes that modern developments are already gradually approaching this level.

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Photo: Philip Pauley / Daily Mail

To minimize the psychological consequences of many years of living underground, Pauley designs such complexes to be as bright and spacious as possible. According to his concept, they should have white interiors, trees and other greenery, LED lighting that simulates the natural change of day and night, as well as artificial panoramas that create the illusion of a view from a window. The area of such complexes can reach the size of an airplane hangar, and he compares the interiors to luxury private jets.

Food will also differ from the usual. The bunkers plan to use hydroponic and aquaponic farms, as well as large fish tanks.

"Honestly, we'll have to become vegetarians. Besides fish, there will be no other animals," Pauley notes, adding that a significant portion of the shelter residents' diet will likely consist of protein from insects and mycoprotein derived from fungi.

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Although such technologies are currently only available to the military and the super-rich, Pauley notes that he would like to change this in the future and compares his role to the mission of biblical Noah.

"The Earth is not becoming more stable. We are all in the same boat and see where everything is going, so we must think about long-term solutions," he says.

At the same time, the architect admits that creating a sanctuary for all of humanity is unrealistic. His goal is more modest – to preserve at least a small portion of people.

"Seeds can remain dormant for decades, and when conditions become favorable, they will sprout again. This is about creating a kind of 'seed bank' for humanity in case of the worst-case scenarios," he concludes.

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