Polish Academy of Sciences
A future Golden Antarctic Research Centre
The Henryk Arctowski Antarctic Station, is a Polish research station on King George Island, Antarctica and possibly the most-visited Antarctic Research Station because of the friendliness and openness of the Polish staff.
Given the presence of three colonies of penguins near the station (Adelies, chinstraps, and gentoos), the area has been designated a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI).
The station was set up in 1977 and can accommodate up to 70 people during the summer season, and 20 during the winter. It has a greenhouse and a chemical and biological laboratory with basic equipment.
Arctowski station was named after Henryk Arctowski (1871-1959), a meteorologist on the Belgian Antarctic Expedition (Belgica), from 1897-1899, who developed the concept of ‘wind chill’ and was one of the first people to overwinter in Antarctica.
Scientists at the station study a variety of subjects, such as marine biology, ecology, geology, oceanography, geomorphology, glaciology, climatology, seismology, magnetism and meteorology.
Soon the station is to be updated with a new prefabricated research centre with gold-coloured metal cladding that will hose up to 29 scientists studying the polar region.
The new centre will sit on three metre high steel stilts to reduce its impact on the landscape as well as minimising the build up of snow and the design will resemble “an upside-down aircraft wing” to keep it on the ground in the face of strong winds.
The prefabricated panels are timber clad in a long-lasting copper and aluminium alloy creating a golden structure that will look very futuristic.
The design will incorporate work spaces, a lecture hall, laboratories, private accommodation, as well as a gym and a sauna.
A greenhouse will also be incorporated into the building so the expeditioners can continue to grow their own produce and every room will have large windows to maximise natural light and panoramic views.
Wind turbines positioned south of the station will power the new structure. Since this base is visited by some of the tourist cruises, if you get down there over the next few years, you may be able to visit it and see what you think.
Below is a rendering of the proposed building
