Polární stanice CZ*ECO NELSON

Author: Eva Clara Atcheson
Co-author: Eva Clara Atcheson, Klarisa Kyselková, Kristýna Kučerová, Eva Drbalová, Vendula Vašková, Peter Papcun, Pavlína Cejpová, Kristina Zátopková, Marcel Pérez, Natálie Laníková, Monika Hvězdová, Karolína Tichá, Tomáš Koudelka, Nina Olekšáková

Year of foundation: 2020

Brno University of Technology
Faculty of Architecture
Department of Experimental Design
Degree: Bachelor
Year of studies: 4
Artwork supervisor: B.Arch. Martin Kaftan Msc, Ph.D.

The aim of the project was to design a building that could be built in the Czech Republic and easily dismantled and transported to Antarctica, where it would be rebuilt by only a few people. This structure must be able to withstand adverse conditions such as extremely low temperatures, strong impact wind, high UV radiation, problematic soil and at the same time the building must be self-sufficient.
As a group of students, we designed a prefabricated building system applicable in extreme conditions of Antarctica.
The task in question is the remodeling of the polar station CZ*ECO Nelson located on the island of Nelson, which should help Czech on-site scientific research in the future. The station will consist of the main building with an 8 person capacity and a storage building for technical equipment. Aside from the polar research, new materials and technologies will be tested in the environment with the potential of future usage in other areas such as space programs. The proposal’s emphasis is on modularity, usage of natural materials and sustainability.
In contrast with inland Antarctica, where the temperatures are extremely low as well as air humidity, this location is specific for its very inter-changeable temperatures, high levels of humidity and strong gusty winds. Local conditions are one of the main factors crucial for the design form-finding.
The wooden structural system is inspired by the WikiHouse building principles and allows digital prefabrication of individual building components, simple transport and quick on-site assembly. The system consists of several load-bearing plywood frames and modular boxes filled with insulation.
The design and implementation of the structure is realized in cooperation among the Faculty of Architecture at BUT Brno, the Czech Antarctic Foundation and the polar research at the Masaryk University. A 1:1 prototype of the storage building will be built to test the functionality of the structure. This model prototype can continue to be used as a mountain cabin available to the public.