Living pods for Halley VI Antarctica base

Servaccomm Redhall, one of UK's leading design and manufacturers of bespoke modular buildings, secures prestigious contract to create iconic living pods for Halley VI Antarctica base.

Servaccomm Redhall creates iconic living pods for Halley VI Antarctica base.

Servaccomm Redhall , one of the UK's leading design and manufacturers of bespoke modular buildings based in Ottringham, East Yorkshire, has secured a prestigious contract for some extraordinary buildings at the bottom of the world.

Servaccomm Redhall have been commissioned to supply the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) with accommodation units for their Halley VI research station on the Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica.

John Gilfoyle, Commercial Director, continues the story, "The floating ice shelf where the current Halley is located moves towards the coast by around half a kilometre each year".

"Scientists predict that there will be a major calving event in the next few years and there is a growing risk that the current station will be lost".

"We were invited to tender for the accommodation modules for the new Halley VI station through Morrison Construction and we were awarded the contract in February of this year".

"The architect supplied the designs for Halley VI and we produced accommodation pods that included neat, compact bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchenette, laundry, boot room, store and a communications room".

"The contract consisted of the manufacture of 26 pods in total, which will be installed in eight modules providing fully serviced accommodation for 32 people".

Jim Godwin, Servaccomm's Technical Director and Project Manager for Halley VI comments, "Once the design prototypes were approved in May, we began the production immediately".

"The pods travel as finished units and are craned into the external structure".

"Once in position, they simply connect to the electrical circuit and the plumbing".

"All 26 pods have to be delivered to Immingham Docks by early September this year".

"From there they go to Capetown in South Africa where all the elements are being consolidated into one construction build sequence".

"Once landed in Antarctica they are loaded on to large, super strength sledges that can manage up to six tons in weight".

"They are then dragged to the Halley VI site by snow tractors and stored until needed".

The pods themselves are traditionally manufactured following a specific design style, which will then suit the environment in which they will be housed.

Managing Director Malcolm Cunningham is very proud that Servaccomm was selected for this prestigious project, "A number of world leaders in the manufacture of modular build were asked to tender for the impressive Halley VI contract, and the Servaccomm Redhall team were successful, based on a combination of professionalism, quality of management, commitment to work with clients in the area of value engineering, and our reputation for delivering on time and to the required quality standards".

"It was clear that we had significant experience in steel framed modular construction and this was important to the design and construction team".

The contract requires Servaccomm Redhall to manufacture the pods with a structural steel frame, fully fitted with high quality furniture, incorporating sophisticated electrical and plumbing installations.

High specification materials, fixtures and fittings will be used and supplied throughout the pods to ensure they are robust to withstand the constant use and the harsh environment.

They have been designed for comfort and convenience for the BAS scientists and station team.

Delivery is a logistical challenge and once at their destination the pods will need protecting.

Servaccomm Redhall have developed special covers for the protection in transit, and also to stop the fine snow, called spindrift, seeping inside the pods whilst they are stored on location.

Construction of the station is only possible during the Antarctic Summer months, which is December to February each year.

Morrison Construction estimates it will take three summers to build the final Halley VI.

Whilst Servaccomm's manufacturing process will be completed by early September this year, Morrison will not finish the final construction work on site until early 2010.

HALLEY VI FACTS and FIGURES.

- The new Halley Research station has eight modules.

Seven will be a standard design for sleeping, support, energy generation and science facilities.

The living area, dining room, gym and kitchen will be in a central double height module.

- The first Halley was established in Antarctica in 1956, and this will be the sixth station.

- The modules will be kept above the snow surface using hydraulic legs mounted on skis.

- The new station can be moved and relocated if necessary, unlike the previous Halley stations.

- One of the major aims of Halley VI is to be more environmentally friendly.

- Equipment includes heating by reclaimed heat source, bio-treatment plants, special incinerators and provision for solar thermal systems.

The British Antarctic Survey is a world leader in research into global issues in an Antarctic context.

It is the UK's national operator and is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council.

It has an annual budget of around GBP40 million; runs nine science programmes and operates five research stations, two Royal Research Ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica.

More information about the work of the Survey can be found at: www.antarctica.ac.uk.

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