Walking in a winter wonderland

9 December 2004

As a crumbling ice shelf threatens their Antarctic research station, British scientists are examining designs for the world's first walking building. It will need to stand up to harsh conditions without damaging this unique frozen environment.

Antenna peeks at the plans.

Image: Hopkins Expedition

Why design a building for the end of the Earth?

Scientists working in Antarctica do vital research on the planet's climate and atmosphere. Their Halley research station, built on a floating ice shelf, needs to be replaced, and the clock is ticking.
'The ice shelf moves towards the sea by around 400m per year; and eventually, if left in the ice, all the buildings will emerge from massive icebergs and drop into the sea.'
Chris Rapley, Director of the British Antarctic Survey

Chris Rapley, Director of the British Antarctic Survey

Image: British Antarctic Survey

Three teams are finalists in a competition to design a new research station and are about to make the journey down to Antarctica to refine their plans. One group are planning to avoid an icy fate with the world's first walking building.
'We tried to think up good ways of moving a three storey building the size of an Olympic swimming pool. Our answer is conceptually a cross between a heavy crane and a Zimmer frame.
'The buildings are prefabricated and modular to make them easy to put together on site and they have simple hydraulic legs to allow them to walk away from danger.'
Ed McCann, Expedition Engineering

Image: Hopkins Expedition

Image: Buro Happold/Lifschutz Davidson

What do experienced Antarctic residents want in their home from home?

Big windows...The scenery outside the station can be bleak, so large windows to view the spectacular southern lights are a great way to brighten up the six months of winter darkness.

Image: Faber Maunsell

A garden... Fresh food is scarce in the Antarctic winter, so one of the designs has an ingenious garden area where salads can be grown indoors. The plants grow in water without earth or sunshine using a technique called hydroponics.
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