Antarctic Fitness Centre

This was an exercise in designing a comfortable environment in extreme conditions. Using climate data provided by the British Antarctic Survey, it was possible to model a building proposal and test it for weather encountered in the most demanding continent on the planet. An innovative solution to cladding, using air and water filled cushions, provided high insulation levels and solar heat storage during the summer. Radiation levels are surprisingly high in the period from November through to February. Antarctic winters are notoriously hard and the fitness facility was designed to allow personnel to take exercise indoors at a time when venturing far outdoors in darkness is too hazardous.