research station in antarctica built from 134 shipping containers

research station in antarctica built from 134 shipping containers by bof arkitekten
image courtesy bof architekten

situated on a pen­in­su­la in nort­heastern antarc­tica, the ‘bharati antarctic research station’ by hamburg-based bof arkitekten presents a self-sufficient energy facility comprised of 134 shipping containers wrapped with an insulating aerodynamic metal skin. the 2,500 sq m (27,000 sq ft) development, which was awarded by the na­tio­nal cen­ter for antarc­tic and oce­an re­se­arch in 2006, is conceived as an architectural volume that can easily be completely dis-assembled due to the re­stric­ted ac­ces­si­bi­li­ty within the re­gi­on.

energy is provided for the sta­ti­on using a combination of heat and power units; the re­si­du­al heat from electri­ci­ty production is enough to warm the en­ti­re sta­ti­on year-round. a to­tal of 24 sin­gle and doub­le rooms are lo­ca­ted on the se­cond flo­or which include a kit­chen/di­ning room, libra­ry, fit­ness room, as well as the of­fi­ces and a lounge. the lo­wer elevation hou­ses the la­bo­ra­to­ry and the sto­ra­ge and technical spa­ces, and the third level provides a ter­ra­ce which can be used for sci­en­ti­fic ex­pe­ri­ments.

india’s national center for antarctic and ocean research in nort­heastern antarc­tica
image © NCAOR

the development is comprised of 134 shipping containers wrapped with an insulating aerodynamic metal skin
image courtesy bof architekten

the architectural volume can easily be completely dis-assembled and transported elsewhere
image © NCAOR

a to­tal of 24 sin­gle and doub­le rooms are located on the second floor
image © NCAOR

image © NCAOR

construction originally commenced in 2009
image © NCAOR

shipping containers being transported to the construction site
image courtesy bof architekten

penguins on site during the development
image courtesy bof architekten

assembly begins on the antarctic research station
image courtesy bof architekten

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