Futuristic design for new Antarctic base

The complete modules will weigh around 60 tonnes. They will be light enough to be easily towed to a new site during their projected 20 year life time by two D5 bulldozers. The larger central module will weigh 120 tonnes, and will need four D5 bulldozers to tow it.

A test module will be built early in 2006.

The design, with its repetitive modules, uses fewer construction components, reducing the time needed to build Halley VI. An assembly line approach will be used to quickly build the modular units on the ice.

Components are standardised through the whole station, maximising interchangeability of parts and reducing the number of spares, which need to be retained on site.

The modules’ mechanical legs will significantly ease the task of raising the station. Our design will enable three workers to carry out the task in on one week. At present, it takes six specialist steel workers an entire season to do the job.

Faber Maunsell’s lead Structural Engineer, Michael Wright, visited Antarctica earlier this year. The visit helped the team prove that its relocation ideas would work and provided essential first hand experience of the environment and conditions.

Assistance in the design of the mechanical legs was given by Bennett Associates of Rotherham, designers of the Falkirk Wheel, specialists in movable structures.

Hugh Broughton Architects are one of the emerging talents of British architecture with a strong reputation for pragmatic, coherent thinking and well considered contemporary design. The practice has won several national and international awards including two RIBA Awards for Architecture.

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