British Antarctic Survey advances sustainable construction at Antarctica project

Rothera Research Station is the one of the world’s most extreme construction sites. Image: BAM

The season’s focus is completing the Discovery Building, a new, purpose-built scientific support and operations facility which will support the Rothera research station.

The construction teams arriving in Rothera will first clear the large amount of snow which has accumulated over the Antarctic winter.

With fluctuating temperatures and periods of extreme cold ranging from minus 22 to plus 15 degrees Celsius, Rothera Research Station is the one of the world’s most extreme construction sites.

From November, they will be completing the inside of the Discovery Building, and externally, the wind deflector and the roof. This purpose-built facility will undergo testing of critical systems so that it is ready to hand over to BAS in April 2025.

The Discovery Building is the latest project in a programme of modernisation.

Already completed and now in operational use are the wharves at King Edward Point and Rothera, rebuilt and extended to accommodate the new and larger polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough. The runway at Rothera has also been resurfaced and has a new turning pad and effective melt water drainage, which reduces the build-up of ice so the team can remove snow more efficiently.

What is it like to build in Antarctica? Two project managers working on the construction of the new Discovery Building at Rothera for the British Antarctic Survey describe the challenges of working in such an unforgiving environment.

A new season of construction is underway in Antarctica for the British Antarctic Survey. Image: BAM

The Discovery Building provides up to date operational facilities designed to support the evolving needs of scientific research at Rothera.

The building management system will improve energy efficiency by monitoring and controlling heating, water, ventilation, lighting, and small power systems. This enables the building to adapt to the varying numbers of people using the space in the Antarctic summer and winter.

With a focus on sustainability, the project aims to minimise the Discovery Building’s long-term environmental impact. It is intended to reduce our emissions by 25%, contributing to our aim to decarbonise operational activity in Rothera by 2030.

Construction and delivery partners include: BAM, Ramboll, Sweco, GA Barnies, Turner and Townsend, and Hugh Broughton Architects.