Each year, scientists from 28 different nations conduct experiments not reproducible in any other place in the world. In the summer more than 4,000 scientists operate research stations; this number decreases to just over 1,000 in the winter. McMurdo Station, which is the largest research station in Antarctica, is capable of housing more than 1,000 scientists, visitors, and tourists.

Researchers include biologists, geologists, oceanographers, physicists, astronomers, glaciologists, and meteorologists. Geologists tend to study plate tectonics, meteorites from outer space, and resources from the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana. In 2007 The Polar Geospatial Center was founded.

The Polar Geospatial Center uses geospatial and remote sensing technology to provide mapping services to American federally funded research teams. Currently, the Polar Geospatial Center can image all of Antarctica at 50 cm resolution every 45 days.
source: wikipedia

Website: Antarctica

Building Developments

Architectural Designs – selection:

Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station Design – reconstruction of the Brazilian station architecture contest
Design: ESTÚDIO 41 Arquitetura

image courtesy of architects practice
In certain places around the world nature sometimes creates adverse conditions for the human body. In these places, thinking a building is almost like designing a costume, an artifact that protects and comforts a person.

Iceberg Living Station Facility Building
Design: David Garcia + MAP Architects

image : MAP Architects
This architectural proposal is a speculative design by David Garcia / MAP Architects (Denmark) for a future research station made entirely from ice, it negates the need to transport foreign materials to Antarctica. The station building will be holed out of a large iceberg, using caterpillar excavators that are traditionally used to clear snow.

South American Buildings

Comments / photos for the Antarctica Architecture Information – Contemporary South Pole Built Environment Updates page welcome