While the UK emerges from one of the coldest, wettest Februaries on record, contractors on the opposite side of the globe are nearing the end of their most productive summer season.
Over the years, Construction has often聽 reported on progress on the 拢670m Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) at around this time of year. The polar location means that most construction work can only be done during the months from November to May.
Last month, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) announced the completion of the latest AIMP phase, the 拢100m Discovery Building, on time and within budget.
BAS says that the project 鈥� the largest and most ambitious yet undertaken by the UK in Antarctica 鈥� is a 鈥渙nce-in-a-generation upgrade to the UK鈥檚 Antarctic research and operational capability鈥�.
The Discovery Building provides operational facilities designed to support the evolving needs of scientific research at BAS鈥� Rothera Research Station. A centralised field preparation area and storage area streamline logistics. The building also integrates office space, training facilities, a gym and medical centre all under one roof.
A building management system monitors and controls heating, water, ventilation, lighting and small power systems. This enables the building to adapt to the varying numbers of people using the space in the Antarctic summer and winter.
With fluctuating temperatures and periods of extreme cold ranging from -22oC to +15oC, Rothera Research Station is the one of the world鈥檚 most extreme construction sites. Main contractor Bam completed the project in partnership with specialist consultants from Ramboll, Sweco, GA Barnies, Turner & Townsend and Hugh Broughton Architects.
This article was first published in the March 2026 issue of 萝莉原创 Magazine. Sign up online.
The new facility replaces ageing infrastructure spread across multiple buildings and is designed to provide a safer and more efficient environment for staff. It is also expected to reduce station carbon emissions by 25% through improved energy efficiency.
聽With the Discovery Building now operational, the AIMP team has begun the phased deconstruction of six redundant buildings, with three already completed, one in progress and two more to be undertaken this Antarctic summer season. Deconstruction is a carefully managed process used in place of demolition and involves dismantling the buildings piece-by-piece to minimise environmental impact and to allow materials and waste to be managed in a controlled and responsible way.
聽Waste is being consolidated into shipping containers by site teams to optimise freight movements, with excavated areas and former foundations backfilled following removal. Where suitable, materials are being reused on site, including the repurposing of cladding panels from Old Bransfield House, one of the station鈥檚 original dining and accommodation buildings, to provide temporary weatherproofing to other structures while permanent upgrades are planned.
聽The AIMP programme, has already delivered the UK鈥檚 polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough (launched in 2021), upgraded wharfs at Rothera and King Edward Point research stations, and an upgraded runway at Rothera.
In January, as work on the Discovery Building drew to a close, BAS launched a recruitment drive for people to work at its Antarctic research stations 鈥� which include the Halley and Signy stations and two additional summer-only facilities in addition to the Rothera station.
Carpenters, chefs, plumbers, boat handlers, scuba divers, plant operators and more are encouraged to apply for a job that offers what is described as 鈥渢he ultimate career change for those seeking adventure at the end of the earth鈥�.
Mike Brian began his career with BAS as a polar guide at Rothera Research Station and now manages operations for the station. He says: 鈥淚f you think about what it takes to keep a community going 鈥� plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, engineers, chefs 鈥� there鈥檚 a job for that. The people working on our stations are ordinary people, often doing an ordinary job 鈥� just in an extraordinary place.鈥�
Phil Coolman is a carpenter at Halley VI Research Station. He first came to the station six years ago and has returned every season since. His role ranges from maintaining the station to solving practical problems to help carry out science in this extreme environment.
鈥淏eing a carpenter in Antarctica requires adaptability and teamwork,鈥� says Coolman. 鈥淚鈥檝e gained skills here that I鈥檝e carried back to the 鈥渞eal world鈥� and done things I never thought I would get the chance to do.
鈥淗alley is a not only a station and a team, it鈥檚 a home and a family, and we all work together to keep the station and science running, even when the weather has other ideas! I planned on coming to Antarctica for one season and I鈥檝e come back every season for the last six years and have no desire to stop any time soon.鈥�
This article was first published in the March 2026 issue of 萝莉原创 Magazine. Sign up online.
Dan McKenzie, station leader at Halley VI, has been working in Antarctica for five years. 鈥淚鈥檝e been lucky enough to work for BAS in a few different places,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 started off as a plumber at Rothera and now I鈥檓 in the station leader role at Halley VI, an incredible place, filled with talented people.聽 I always think, I鈥檓 just a lad from Wigan, who never went to university and came from pretty humble beginnings, and now I鈥檓 here. That鈥檚 the beauty of BAS, anyone can give it a try and if you work hard you never know where it will take you.鈥�
Contracts run from six to 18 months and are flexible. Salaries start at 拢30,244 per annum plus a benefits package. There are no living costs in Antarctica 鈥� accommodation, food, travel, specialist clothing, tools and training are all provided.
Southbay heads for the Falklands
Southbay Civil Engineering has won a contract to design and build a new causeway at Port Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands.
Southbay Falkland Islands Ltd (SFI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Gateshead-based contractor, will spend the next 18 months working on the project.
The existing causeway, which extends to a large pontoon barge and stretches 240m into the harbour, is to be replaced. The new causeway will have increased capacity to accommodate larger vehicles.
The work involves the construction of a structure consisting of an inner rock core and outer rock armour along with a new heavy steel ramp to connect it to the floating barge.
鈥淭o have been awarded this prestigious contract demonstrates our technical and logistical capability to deliver large projects on an international scale,鈥� said Southbay managing director Paul Stephenson.
鈥淥ur success was made possible due to our development of a simplified design and low-risk construction method based on our extensive knowledge as specialist marine civil engineers.鈥�
Much of the plant and equipment has already been transported from the Port of Tyne, including a 150-tonne crawler crane, three 20-tonne dump trucks, three excavators up to 60 tonnes in weight, compaction equipment and all the small tools required.
Local Falklands labour and raw materials will be used to complete the project, after which time the existing causeway structure will be decommissioned.
This article was first published in the March 2026 issue of 萝莉原创 Magazine. Sign up online.
Stephenson added: 鈥淗aving successfully co-ordinated the load-out of the specialist plant and materials from the Port of Tyne, we look forward to completing on-site operations to enhance our reputation as one of the UK鈥檚 leading marine contractors 鈥� both at home and on the other side of the world.鈥�
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