Halley VI: The Best DfMA Video Showcasing Modular Design at the Edge of the World

December 4th, 2024
Modular Architecture & Design Videos

Perched on a shifting, 150-metre-thick ice shelf in one of the planet’s harshest environments, Halley VI is no ordinary research station – it’s a triumph of modular and prefabricated design.

Operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Halley VI is uniquely designed to withstand Antarctica’s extreme conditions. The Brunt Ice Shelf, a 150-metre-thick sheet of moving ice, shifts 400 metres toward the sea annually, while accumulating a metre of snow each year. Winters bring 105 days of darkness, temperatures as low as -56°C, and winds exceeding 160 kph, with access by shop and plane limited to a three-month summer window.

The need for Halley VI arose as its predecessor, Halley V, became unviable, drifting perilously close to the sea and unable to relocate due to fixed legs. To address this, BAS and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) held an international competition in 2004 to design a new station. The winning design, by Hugh Broughton Architects and AECOM, features a modular structure elevated on hydraulic legs with retractable skis, allowing the station to rise above accumulating snow and be relocated inland when necessary.

Prefabrication was crucial to the project’s success. The modules were constructed from highly insulated composite GRP panels on durable steel frames, pre-assembled and tested in South Africa before being shipped to Antarctica. Once there, they were carefully transported on skis and sledges, overcoming the challenges of unloading onto fragile sea ice and navigating the steep ice shelf.

Inside, the station was thoughtfully designed to support the crew’s mental and physical well-being during Antarctica’s long winters. Bright, uplifting interiors, combined with cutting-edge medical, power, and air traffic control facilities, ensure Halley VI operates as a self-sufficient, off-grid community.

Halley VI stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of modular construction in even the most extreme conditions.

This innovative design overcomes extreme environmental challenges while providing a comfortable living space for researchers, supporting vital scientific work in one of Earth’s harshest environments.