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Lightweight Minimum Impact Infrastructure

1 Introduction

This presentation is a detailed description of the continuing research and development

of lightweight m inimum im pact infrastructure being undertaken in the EPT AP station

/Estacion Polar Teniente Arturo Parodi/ in the blue ice zone of Patriot Hills, Lat. 80°19 south, Long. 81°18west.

2 National Antarctic political objectives

The EP TA P station is the product of the collaboration between the Antarctic Division

of Chilean Air Force and the ARQZE unit / Extreme Zone Architecture / of the

Santa Maria University of Valparaiso. EPTAP was concieved as a infrastructural

support both for international scientific and technological investigation, and the

logistics of polar zone flight paths that depend on the blue ice runways. The station

was transported in two hercules C-130 planes and installed in November 1999,

offering an initial capacity to accommodate 24 persons during the four months of

summ er. In its three successful seasons of operation the EPT AP station has becom e a

model for the implementation of the principies of the Madrid Protocol, transforming

itself into a technological laboritory for the testing of new prototypes of habitational

systems that are transportable by plane, permiting the further exploration and

investigation of the antarctic interior.

3 Sala Sastruggi

The EP TA P station incorporates the processes of snow a cumu lation particular to blue

ice fields into its location and organization. Situated in the zone of superficial

equilibrium to the north of the blue ice field, a membrane distribution tunnel of

200m 2 guarantees access to the seven insulated fibreglass living modules, and the

snow acumulation that is provoked protects it from the extreme catabatic winds. In

November 2000 the plug-in capacity of the tunel was exploited to add a new 60m2

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living and dining spa ce called the Sala Sastruggi, fabricated from e xtruded alum inium

profiles and double curvature membranes. The Sala Sastruggi is a prototype for an

infrastructural system called the catabatic system that can provide small scale

lightweight field stations deployable by plane and autonomo usly serviced.

4 Polar capsule

In november 2002 the existing capacity of EPTAP will be extended through the

incorporation of two prototipical fibreglass living capsules of 16m 2 into the tunnel.

The Polar Capsules conform highly insulated autonomous habitats, integrating

support systems and transformable furniture that allows the reconfiguration of the

interior space to accomidate a cycle of different activities. The deployment of these

autonomous Polar Capsules by helicopter will potentiate the future exploration of the

territory surrounding Patriot Hills.

5 shockwave

In November 2002 a prototipical membrane hangar of 200m 2 , with a metallic

geodesical structure will be installed at the edge of the blue ice field to provide shelter

and support for the logistics of loading and unloading the C-130 Hercules planes and

maintaining the blue ice runway. This hangar will become the first component of a

future blue ice airport terminal.

6 water cycle systems

One of the polar capsules will be installed as the updated sanitary module of the

EPTAP station through the integration of Water Cycle Systems. These prototipical

systems minimize the production of waste water through the implementation of steam

baths for personal hygene, and the recycling of grey water through a process of

microfiltration. In env ironmentally sensitive areas such as blue ice fields these systems

provide an a cceptable and practical alternative to the curren t practice of deposition insnow holes, allowing the evacuation by air of minimal quantities of contaminated

water. The system also integrates updated dry toilets in which separated urine and

faeces are freeze dried by the snow , and subsequently evacuated by plane.

EPTA P Chilean Polar Station

Architect Paul Taylor, ARQZE Unit, Santa Maria University, Valparaiso, Chile.

Engineer. Pedro Serrano ARQ. ZE Unit, Santa Maria University, Valparaiso, Chile.

Com mander. M iguel Figueroa, Antarctic Division, Chilean Air Force,

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