MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Morrison's new Antarctic challenge

Construction firm Morrison (Falklands) Ltd has been awarded a contract in Antarctica.

The company, which is part of the Galliford Try group, has been awarded the £22m contract to manage the design and construction of the Halley VI research station in Antarctica for the British Antarctic Survey. The work will also include demolition of the station it replaces, Halley V.

Construction will take place over the next three austral summer seasons, starting in November 2007 and completing in 2010. The designers are Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects who won a contest to develop the best concept last year.

The structure will consist of two platforms comprising seven interconnected single-storey modules and one double-storey module which are raised on hydraulically jackable legs supported on skis. The northern module comprises the living quarters and the southern will be used for scientific activities.

"Putting the building on hydraulic legs and skis means that it can be relocated relatively easily and prevented from being buried in snow," said Chris Luker, Regional Manager for Morrison (Falklands) Ltd.

"This is an innovative change to previous designs and will prolong the life of the station unlike its predecessors. The idea is for the station to be a visitor to Antarctica, not a resident."

The modules will be formed from lightweight structural steel frames. The outer shell will be clad with highly insulated prefabricated sandwich panels. Plant will be housed separately in two energy modules at the ends of the chain, giving good acoustic and fire separation. The main social space is a special, two-storey module with kitchen, dining room and recreational spaces.

Located on the Brunt Ice Shelf, the structure will be erected on floating ice 200m thick which moves 400m towards the sea every year. The new buildings will have to cope with a 1.5m depth of snow which accumulates annually.

Morrison (Falkland) Ltd has completed over 30 jobs worth more than £25m under a framework agreement for the British Antarctic Survey since establishing the niche business in 1998. Penguin News