Halley VI

Antarctica

Project outline

Faber Maunsell, together with Hugh Broughton Architects, is the winning team for the Architectural competition which attracted 86 international entries to design the Halley research station.

There has been a British presence on the Brunt Ice Shelf since 1956, but previous bases have not weathered the brutal effects of a moving ice shelf and up to 1.5m per year of snow accumulation. The new Halley VI design must deal with the extreme temperature of -56C and have the ability to be relocated to a new site during its life. It must also be delivered to site pre-packaged for construction to be assembled in two 10-week summer seasons.

The ski based jackable modules will be linked together to create a dramatic new station, which will propel Antarctic design into the 21st Century. The design provides the first ever relocatable modular research station, introducing the very best accommodation for both living and working. It will be the envy of Antarctica; a beacon for sustainable living, and above all, it will provide an icon to draw attention to some of the most significant and influential science research projects conducted on our planet today.

Contract value

£25m

Key features

• RIBA competition winning design
• Internationally renowned scientific research station
• The UK’s most isolated science station with year round operation
• Elevated buildings on jackable legs
• Ski based foundations for relocation
• Highly adaptable Science laboratories
• Stimulating areas for relaxation and recreation
• Self sufficiency heat and power, water production and waste treatment facilities
• Highly resilient services using plug and play technology
• Survivability features in case of fire
• Meets the stringent Antarctic Environmental Protocol

Skills utilised

• Lead Consultant
• Structural
• Building Services
• Environment
• Fire
• Acoustics
• Snow Modellers

For more information please contact Peter Ayres.