Located at Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, the station is now operational on a floating ice shelf 900 miles from South Pole, which moves 400 metres per annum towards the sea. Halley is the most southerly research station operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
A significant calving of the ice shelf is predicted within the next decade, which would see it floating out to sea as a giant iceberg. As a result, in 2004, a three-stage international competition was launched for the design of a new, fully relocatable base for 16 people in the winter and 52 in the summer. The competition attracted 86 entries from around the world. In July 2005 Hugh Broughton Architects, working with AECOM, were selected as winners.
The design has been developed in response to the demands of the science, the comfort of the residents, buildability and the operations inherent in the life of a research station. To meet these demands it was crucial to create a design, which maximises flexibility. This was achieved with a modular approach. Modules can be used for a wide variety of activities ranging from laboratories and bedrooms to recreation areas and energy centres. Connected together, the modules form the new station. Modularity also brought significant benefits in terms of flexibility, ease of construction, maintenance, relocation, fire safety, acoustics and robustness. The station is centred on two modular platforms. The northern platform provides the principal habitat while the southern platform contains science modules.
Whilst the majority of activities that take place at Halley can be provided for using the standard blue module, there are some activities, which are constant, and require a distinct approach. These activities are housed in a special red central module. This is the principal space for eating, drinking and recreation and is the major destination at the new base.
Halley VI has also been designed as the most environmentally-friendly facility that BAS has built. The station is low on environmental impact during construction, with an extremely efficient, environmentally aware performance life cycle. It can be easily moved and eventually taken apart. The buildings rest entirely on the surface of the ice shelf. The design provides flexibility for the station to be adapted, rearranged and relocated, which will enable the new station to survive and perform on the ice for far longer than any of its predecessors.
To avoid the fate of previous abandoned stations, the modules are supported on giant steel skis and hydraulically driven legs. The hydraulic legs allow the station to mechanically “climb” up out of the snow every year to avoid being buried. And as the ice shelf moves out towards the ocean, the modules can be lowered onto the skis and towed by bulldozers to a new safer location further inland. The new Halley VI can continue to respond to the changing needs of Antarctic science for many more years than its projected design life.
Linked together, the ski based jackable modules create a dramatic new station, which propels Antarctic design into the 21st Century. Halley VI also provides the first ever relocatable modular research station, introducing the best accommodation for both living and working. The station features stimulating areas for recreation, relaxation and allows total flexibility for growth and change.
Halley VI has been shortlisted for the ‘Index: Award’, an international award that recognises designs of worldwide stature. The station will also feature in the Government’s GREAT Campaign as a showcase of great British innovation.
