The Discovery Building of British Antarctic Survey (BAS) at Rothera Research Station has become the first building in Antarctica to achieve an Outstanding BREEAM accreditation.

The accreditation – which is the UK’s highest standard in sustainable construction awarded to just 1% of projects worldwide – has been awarded to the £100 million facility, designed and constructed as part of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme.

The building uses combined heat and power (CHP) generators that recover waste heat from the gas exhaust and hot water jackets to warm the building.

More than 80 solar panels have also been installed on the north elevation of the building and the management system automates heating and ventilation to adjust to the number of rooms being used.

In addition, the structure of the building itself ensures energy efficiency, with its 90m spinal corridor so teams can carry out their work and operations all in one place without opening external doors.

A curved wind deflector prevents snow accumulation around the building, reducing the fuel and time needed to clear it at the start of each summer season.

The building is on track to reduce Rothera’s carbon emissions by 25%, cutting the station’s reliance on marine gas oil.

The project, commissioned by the National Environment Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has been delivered in collaboration with partners BAM UK & Irelandm Sweco, Ramboll, Hugh Broughton Architects, NORR and Turner & Townsend.

It is part of the UK Government’s £670 million Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, the largest government investment in polar science infrastructure since the 1980s.

Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of BAS, who formally opened the building in January said: “This is an historic achievement. The Discovery Building is not just the largest UK construction project ever undertaken in Antarctica, it now has the highest level of UK sustainability accreditation. 

“The rating reflects the dedication of everyone involved and our absolute commitment to polar science and operations which support our journey to net zero.”

Construction started in 2019 and is due to be fully completed this year.