Buro Happold + Lifschutz Davidson Design for new Halley VI Research Station Reaches Competition Short List
A concept design by Buro Happold and Lifschutz Davidson has been short listed in the final stages of a RIBA competition for the British Antarctic Survey’s new Halley VI Research Station.
The Competition calls for innovative and imaginative design solutions for a new scientific research station in one of the earth’s most extreme environments. Located on a 150m thick floating ice shelf, the new complex will be self sufficient, able to withstand freezing temperatures of –40C and have a minimal impact on Antartica’s pristine environment.
Buro Happold/Lifschutz Davidson’’s proposal features a series of three, two tier independently serviced linear “craft” standing on adjustable, stainless steel legs to limit snow drifting and scour. An airbag around each foot is inflated to remove packed snow. Each craft is linked by bridges, minimising travel distances and the need to venture outdoors. The craft can be moved around the site, or their layout can be re-arranged during the project’s planning or later, after installation on site
Each craft has a similar structure, consisting of a rib cage of curved beams that enclose the upper deck supported on a rigid chassis. The lower deck is a rigid trussed box set out in a 2.7m wide structural grid, forming the base of the craft, and its height is sufficient to accommodate service and store rooms. It is envisaged that the craft will be clad in an outer skin of soft translucent fabric, acting as a weather shield to keep wind and snow off the interior skin, and the two elements of cladding provide a high level of insulation.
The interior layout of the craft is highly flexible with winter and summer rooms, a science block, as well as social spaces, which include healthcare facilities for the crew members. The adaptable internal layout is facilitated by the design of all contents as pre fabricated furniture components. The design aims to provide accommodation for the crew that is stimulating, comfortable, and inviting – a delightfully reassuring refuge in a hostile environment.
Chosen from a long list of six, the jury panel selected the Buro Happold/Lifschutz Davidson concept for its linked space-station-like structures supported on telescopic legs. The panel was impressed “by the careful thought given by the team to the living space within the station, providing staff with private, quiet areas as well as community space.” The design was also praised “for its architectural features, which are complemented by comprehensive engineering, offering a practical living and working environment”. The panel also noted the special attention given by the team to the construction and maintenance of the station, as well as methods to deal with the annual build-up of snow, and possible need to relocate the structures. Overall, the panel believe that this concept can be developed into a practical and cost effective research station.
The Buro Happold/Lifschutz Davidson scheme is one of three to be selected from a shortlist of six, chosen from 86 entries around the world. Each of the three winning design teams will visit the site during January 2005, in order to further develop their ideas. An overall winning design will be announced in September, 2005.
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Background Notes:
The new complex, replacing the current Halley V Research Station, will be located 10,000 miles from the UK on the Brunt Ice Shelf, which is 150m thick and flows at a rate of 0.4 km per year northwest from Coats Land towards the sea where, at irregular intervals, it calves off as vast icebergs. Scientists predict a major calving event around 2010. There is a growing risk that ice on which the existing Halley Research Station sits could break off in the next decade. The new station will allow long-running research on global change to continue at the site where the ozone hole was discovered.
Issued jointly by Buro Happold + Lifschutz Davidson.
Further information and images available from:
Buro Happold
Buro Happold is a multi-disciplinary international practice of consulting engineers established in 1976 offering civil and structural engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, quantity surveying, building services and environmental engineering, infrastructure and traffic engineering, ground engineering, façade engineering, fire engineering, computational fluid dynamics analysis, disability design consultancy, project management, urban design and a range of specialist CAD services. www.burohappold.com
For further information on Buro Happold please contact:
Elspeth Wales
Tel: 01225 320 627
Mob: 07753 829630
Elspeth.Wales@burohappold.com
Lifschutz Davidson
Lifschutz Davidson is an award-winning firm of architects and urban designers established in 1986. The Practice has developed a reputation for providing intelligent solutions, which respond to context and time rather than being defined by a general style. There is a keen interest in the texture of cities and the way in which buildings and public spaces work together to create successful and humane environments. This philosophy has won Lifschutz Davison a wide variety of projects and the portfolio embraces masterplans for large inner city regeneration projects, retail schemes, housing and office developments, restaurants, supermarkets, bridges and street furniture systems. Lifschutz Davidson is best known for its extensive and long-standing work on the regeneration of London’s South Bank and for London landmarks such as the Golden Jubilee bridges, Royal Victoria Dock Bridge and Oxo Tower Wharf.
www.lifschutzdavidson.com
for further information on Lifschutz Davidson please contact:
Deborah Stratton, Stratton & Reekie
PR Consultant to Lifschutz Davidson
Tel: 0207 287 8456
d.stratton@strattonandreekie.com
British Antarctic Survey
British Antarctic Survey is a world leader in research into global issues in an Antarctic context. It is the UK's national operator and is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council. It has an annual budget of around £40 million, runs nine research programmes and operates five research stations, two Royal Research Ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica. More information about the work of the Survey can be found at: www.antarctica.ac.uk
For further information about BAS please contact:
Athena Dinar Tel: (01223) 221414
Mob:07740 822229
Email: a.dinar@bas.ac.uk
