Architectural response to climatic related issues in Antarctica

• Main Author: Gottbrath, Johanna Margarete
• Other Authors: O’Sullivan, Michael
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: ResearchSpace@Auckland 2012
• Subjects: Antarctic; Ross Sea; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2292/19652

Antarctica is a continent that most of us will never go to. It is usually not the lack of interest that keeps us away, quite the contrary, most people are fascinated by the icy continent but the harsh environment with winds of up to 320 km/h and temperatures with an average of minus 50°C are the reason that most people stay far away from it. For those who decide to go there, not only struggle physically but also but the lack of sunlight, the extreme isolation and remoteness, bleak landscape without any colours, few shapes and no greenery, unusual daylight times, lack of fresh food and many more factors which lead to sensory under stimulation of the brain and therefore mental illness. Current research stations in Antarctica have mainly focused on simplicity and provide fundamentals only. Accommodation is very basic and offers no space for privacy or personalising rooms and dorms are often crowded with too many and too many people are cramped into little rooms. Further facilities are held ordinarily with few windows, colours and textures and do not help the inhabitants to overcome sensory under-stimulation which often occurs during long stays in Antarctica. While the exterior of my design proposal focuses on withstanding the extreme climate, I went a step further than current Antarctic bases and emphasised my interior design on the architectural features which can help to address mental health issues. I am proposing a community at the Ross Sea in Antarctica which is trying to create a new architectural Antarctic identity with its own unique aesthetic which focuses on responding to climatic related issues on the icy continent, not only exteriorly with an appropriate building envelope but by going a step further and making the occupants part of the design process and end result and creating an interaction between the architecture and people. This community solves problems that have not been paid a lot of attention to in the past to make it a place which is less dissuasive and scientists, tourists and students can enjoy. Available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland.