estudio 41: comandante ferraz antarctic research station winning proposal

estúdio 41’s winning proposal to rebuild the comandante ferraz antarctic research stationall images courtesy of estúdio 41

on february 25th, 2012 the comandante ferraz antarctic research station was destroyed due to an explosion which occurred in the machine room, taking the lives of two soldiers. an international competition was then launched, calling architects to propose their vision to rebuild the facility and estúdio 41‘s proposal being selected for realization at its keller peninsula site.

the new building takes into consideration the challenges of supporting technological performance in such extreme climates, while still considering its aesthetics,  offering a comfortable and secure work space. bearing in mind the topography of its site, the architects developed a volume which conserves the wildlife which surrounds it, minimizing impacts on the animals and plant life living in the immediate environment.

the design divides the station into two core blocks which are organized based on their functions. the upper block at +9.10 (above grade), houses living quarters, cabins, dining and service areas.  the lower block situated at +5.95 integrates the central work spaces, accommodating the laboratories, as well as the operation and maintenance zones. at the level of +2.50, one finds the central barn and garages. at +5.95, a structure intersects the three programs as a communal place of social interaction and gathering, established by an auditorium, cyber café, library, meeting and video conferencing room.  

a rendering of the research station in context to its environment

with such intense weather conditions experienced in this area, the exterior will be clad in a steel that is highly resistant to corrosion and cold climates of the region. these prefabricated components will be arranged in a continuous section to maintain a streamlined look.the metal structure supporting the floors will consist of trusses that are positioned along a grid, modulated in 600×1200 cm panelsalso available prefabricated for easy transportation to the site. the additional braces that hold up the roofs and walls will stand as latticed vertical structures which are placed at a maximum of 12 meters apart. all of the buildings are set to be placed on top ofcolumns which can be adjusted, based on the environmental changes caused by temperature variation which results in periods of thawing.

three main volumes complete the new building

view of the elevations of each volume in relation to one another

interior view of the social area which includes a cyber café

site plan

elevation

elevation

elevation

section

 diagram

project info:

project architects: eron costin, fabio henrique faria, john gabirel moura rose lamb, emerson vidigalconsultants: andre belloni, comfort and energy (petinelli), engineer; eduardo brofman, comfort and energy, mechanical engineer; ricardo dias, structures, engineer; carlos garmatter, safety and fire prevention, architect; bruno martinez, comfort and energy (petinelli), engineer; josiele patias, geotechnics, engineer; guido petinelli, comfort and energy (petinelli), architect;  and eduardo ribeiro, facilities, engineeremployees: dario correa durce, architect; moacir zancopè jr., architect; rafael fischer; martin goic; alexandre kenji; and fernando moleta