Planning a Modern Davis Research Station

A new era of Antarctic endeavour Planning a modern Davis research station

The Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan sets out Australia’s future engagement in the region. It builds on a rich history of more than a century of research, environmental stewardship and leadership on the continent.

In 2019, the Australian Government committed more than $450 million to modernise Australia’s Antarctic research stations and supporting infrastructure.

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is planning to deliver sustainable, world-class facilities at Davis research station to support the future scientific and operational activities of the Australian Antarctic Program for decades to come. AAD’s plans are informed by a vision for what the operation of Davis station would be like in 2050. The vision for Davis research station In 2050…

Australia’s Davis research station More reliable and regular access is the premier research hub in East has enabled scientists to deliver Antarctica and, operates within one more innovative science. Expanded of the largest coastal ice‑free areas on teams of researchers undertake the continent, in the Vestfold Hills. large-scale projects that link nations and several research disciplines. The year-round access provided by Enhanced mapping of the continent the Davis aerodrome has overcome has facilitated greater exploration of one of the most significant barriers the continent. Drones, autonomous facing the Antarctic community – underwater vehicles and robots winter. It enables scientists to focus equipped with sophisticated sensors on answering critical questions of conduct scientific campaigns from global significance. Davis station. Image: NASA/JPL/SETI Institute/Australian Antarctic Division The Davis aerodrome is East Observations are recorded during the Antarctica’s premier aviation hub transition periods between seasons. – with year-round flights to the Data are available across the entire life continent departing from the Antarctic cycles, breeding and non-breeding, of Gateway City of Hobart. Expeditioners Antarctic species. “Expanded teams of researchers landing at the aerodrome are taken undertake large-scale projects to Davis station, or transported to field camps and stations further afield that link nations and several through a network of intracontinental research disciplines” flights operated by Australia and other nations. The vision for Davis research station “RSV Nuyina has been successfully providing In 2050… scientists with access to the Southern Ocean and sea ice surrounding the continent”

More accurate and higher Our enhanced understanding resolution datasets, and of the Antarctic environment enhanced year-round has improved environmental ecological understanding has management, and policy and improved knowledge of species decision‑making. movements, and enabled identification of threats RSV Nuyina has been including invasive species. successfully supporting science and logistics for A detailed understanding of several decades, providing ice sheet, weather, climate scientists with access to the and environmental processes Southern Ocean and sea ice and trends has contributed surrounding the continent. to improved climate and Ship-based expeditioners weather modelling. visit between October and April, using the direct aviation Winter access is supporting link with Australia to switch studies into human scientists and crew, and physiological performance transfer scientific samples to and vehicle operations, research labs in Australia and enabling expeditions to be run across the world. Image: Australian Antarctic Division more safely and efficiently. The vision for Davis research station In 2050…

Expeditioners live and work communication to and at a modern station, enjoying from satellites. comfortable accommodation, living quarters and recreation The processing of large activities. Health and safety datasets on station is is at the forefront of the undertaken with ease. station’s design, and the The ability to provide access priority of all expeditioners. to East Antarctica, state‑of- The use of new and emerging the-art, flexible facilities and technology, including superior logistical support sustainable and efficient has made Australia the infrastructure, has reduced collaborative partner of the per capita consumption choice for Treaty nations and of water, energy needs and national and international waste generation, minimising science organisations.

the station’s environmental Image: Hugh Broughton Architects Australia is an active and footprint and operating costs. well-respected member Advanced communications of the Antarctic Treaty systems allow remote System, recognised for its “Expeditioners live and work at a modern recording, relay and real time continued commitment to analysis of data collected globally significant science, station … health and safety is at the forefront from the field and its international cooperation and of the station’s design and priority of all” transfer back to Australia environmental stewardship of and further afield, including the continent. Developing the Master Plan

The AAD engaged expert planning consultants Enhance health, safety and WSP and high profile Antarctic architect Hugh wellbeing Provide future Support ﬂ exibility & facilitate world- Broughton to prepare a Master Plan to start the leading science journey towards achieving this vision for 2050.

Represent The Master Plan is guided by the The Master Plan has six primary Efﬁ cient & ﬂ exible MASTER PLAN Australia in Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 objectives and two secondary objectives, installation OBJECTIVES Antarctica Year Action Plan and is informed by as shown in the diagram opposite. consultation with a range of stakeholders who are passionate about Australia’s The Master Plan aims to address the challenges of living and working in Showcase holistic future in Antarctica. Timely delivery Antarctica such as weather, isolation, sustainability This includes the Antarctic science logistics and resource availability to Lead environmental community and partner organisations enhance health, safety and wellbeing protection such as the Bureau of Meteorology and provide facilities that support (BOM), CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, year ‑round world-leading science. Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the Australian Defence Force through Operation Southern Discovery. Primary objectives Secondary objectives Concept development The Master Plan outlines an early The concept so far … concept for Davis station with a series of elevated, sustainable and 1 11 2 efficient buildings hovering above the 3 7 landscape of the Vestfold Hills. 4

Providing a resilient station that is a great place to live and work 8 3 5 will be possible through aerodynamic and easily maintainable buildings, with open plan, well-lit interiors to support a strong sense of community. 3 10 6 Recycled water and wind and solar power will enhance sustainability, and ways to reduce environmental impact such as rationalising access roads are included. 12 9 The new infrastructure will support future science, with a wide 10 range of labs and provision for new technologies. The modular 11 design allows for future flexibility to change the use of facilities and easy expansion. 1 Sleeping accommodation 7 Pump house for treatment of new water source 2 Living accommodation 8 Vehicle workshop 3 Link bridges connect buildings 9 Stores building incorporating wall mounted solar panels 4 Science and technology building with 10 Thermosiphons transfer cooling from the air into the 360-degree observatory and science deck foundation to keep the permafrost frozen 5 Operations and administration building 11 Site services 6 Water storage, waste treatment, utilities 12 Emergency vehicle shelter and general workshop 1 11 2 3 7

8 3 5 SNOW MANAGEMENT WELL BEING Aerodynamic buildings for living, science, management and technology will be elevated The interior design will provide a home from above the ground allowing the wind to scour snow 3 home for the residents. Natural materials will be from underneath, reducing the time that needs to 10 6 complemented by good lighting. Free flowing be spent clearing blizz tails. open plan spaces will support a strong sense of community.

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10 1. Sleeping accommodation for 150 people The new station will embody the spirit of Australia. 8 3 5 2. Living accommodation It will be a flag ship of sustainable design which 3. Link bridges connect buildings supports science of global significance SNOW MANAGEMENT 8 3 5 4. ScienceWELL BEINGand technology building with 360-degree observatory and science deck AerodynamicSNOW buildings MANAGEMENT for living, science, 5. Operations and administration building SIMPLE MAINTENANCE WELL BEING management and technology will be elevated The 6.interior designWater will storage, provide waste a home treatment, from utilities and general workshop SUPPORTING SCIENCE Aerodynamic buildings for living, science, Buildings will be designed using simple repeatable home 7.for the residents.Pump house Natural for materialstreatment will of alternativebe water source above the ground allowing the wind to scour snow 3 The interior design will provide a home from management and technology will be elevated 10 services systems which are easy to6 access and complemented8. V ehicleby good workshop lighting. Free flowing Future focussed infrastructure will enhance from underneath, reducing the time that needs to home for the residents. Natural materials will be above the ground allowing the wind to scour snow maintain. The same systems3 can eventually be open9. plan spacesStor eswill with support PV panels a strong on sense facades Australia’s Antarctic Science Program. The new be spent clearing blizz tails. complemented by good lighting. Free flowing station will include a wide range of labs, an from underneath, reducing the time that needs to 10 introduced in the other AAD stations6 . 10. Thermosyphonsof community. keep the permafrost frozen under ground bearing slabs open plan spaces will support a strong sense be spent clearing blizz tails. 11. Reticulation ring main observatory and spaces for new technologies such of community 12. Emergency vehicle. shelter as robots, drones and long-range submersibles. Design principles 12 12 9 10 1 9 11 2 10 3 11 7 11 KEY FEATURES REPRESENTING AUSTRALIA 4

1.KEY FEATURESSleeping accommodation for 150 people The new station will10REPRESENTING embody the spirit AUSTRALIA of Australia. 2. Living accommodation It will be a flag ship of sustainable design which 3.1. LinkSleeping bridges accommodation connect buildings for 150 people The new stationsupports will embodyscience theof global spirit ofsignificance Australia. 2. Living accommodation It will be a flag ship of sustainable design which 8 3 4. Science and technology building with 360-degree observatory and science deck 5 5.3. OperationsLink bridges and connect administration buildings building supports science of global significance SIMPLE MAINTENANCE 4. Science and technology building with 360-degreeSNOW observatory MANAGEMENT and science deck FUTURE FLEXIBILITY SUSTAINABILITY 6. Water storage, waste treatment, utilities and general workshop SUPPORTING SCIENCE WELL BEING 5. Operations and administration building Buildings willSIMPLE be designed MAINTENANCE using simple repeatable 7. Pump house for treatment of alternative water source The repeating modular design allows the interior Wind and solar power will be the primary sources Aerodynamic buildings for living, science, Future focussed infrastructure will enhance services systems which are easy to access and 8.6. VWehicleater storage, workshop waste treatment, utilities and general workshop of the buildings to be easily re-configured to SUPPORTING SCIENCE The interior design will provide a home from of energy and heating for the new station. Buildings will be designed using simple repeatable 7. Pump house for treatment of alternativemanagement water source and technology will be elevated Australia’s Antarctic Science Program. The new maintain. The same systems can eventually be 9. Stores with PV panels on facades suit changing science programs. When the 3 home for the residents. Natural materials will be Generators will only be included to provide 8. Vehicle workshop above the ground allowing the wind to scour snow Futurestation focussedwill include infrastructure a wide range will of enhance labs, an servicesintroduced systems in which the other are easyAAD tostations access. and 10. Thermosyphons keep the permafrost frozen under ground bearing slabs population expands additional10 modules can be 6 complemented by good lighting. Free flowing emergency back-up. Water will be recycled and maintain. The same systems can eventually be 9. Stores with PV panels on facades from underneath, reducing the time that needs to observatoryAustralia’s andAntarctic spaces Science for new Program. technologies The new such 11. Reticulation ring main be spent clearing blizz tails. constructed and linked to the existing facilities. station will include a wide range of labs, an open plan spaces will support a strong sense resilience will be significantly improved. introduced in the other AAD stations. 12.10. EmergencyThermosyphons vehicle keep shelter the permafrost frozen under ground bearing slabs as robots, drones and long-range submersibles. of community. 11. Reticulation ring main observatory and spaces for new technologies such 12. Emergency vehicle shelter as robots, drones and long-range submersibles.

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4 KEY FEATURES REPRESENTING AUSTRALIA 10 1. Sleeping accommodation for 150 people The new station will embody the spirit of Australia. 2. Living accommodation It will be a flag ship of sustainable design which 8 3 3. Link bridges connect buildings supports science of global significance FUTURE FLEXIBILITY SUSTAINABILITY 5 4. Science and technology building with 360-degree observatory and science deck SNOW MANAGEMENT The repeating modular design allows the interior 5. Operations and administration building Wind and solar SUSTAINABILITYpower will be the primary sources FUTURE FLEXIBILITY SIMPLE MAINTENANCE WELL BEING of the buildings to be easily re-configured to 6. Water storage, waste treatment, utilities and generalof workshop energy and heating for the new station. SUPPORTING SCIENCE Aerodynamic buildings for living, science, Thesuit repeating changing modular science design programs. allows When the interior the Buildings will be designed using simple repeatable 7. Pump house for treatment of alternative water sourceWindGenerators and solar willpower only will be beincluded the primary to provide sources The interior design will provide a home from Future focussed infrastructure will enhance management and technology will be elevated populationof the buildings expands to beadditional easily re-configured modules can to be services systems which are easy to access and 8. Vehicle workshop emergencyof energy back-up. and heating Water for will the be new recycled station. and suit changing science programs. When the 3 home for the residents. Natural materials will be Australia’s Antarctic Science Program. The new above the ground allowing the wind to scour snow constructed and linked to the existing facilities. maintain. The same systems can eventually be 9. Stores with PV panels on facades Generatorsresilience will beonly significantly be included improved to provide. 10 6 complemented by good lighting. Free flowing station will include a wide range of labs, an from underneath, reducing the time that needs to population expands additional modules can be introduced in the other AAD stations. 10. Thermosyphons keep the permafrost frozen underemergency ground bearing back-up. slabs Water will be recycled and be spent clearing blizz tails. constructed and linked to the existing facilities. open plan spaces will support a strong sense resilience will be significantly improved. observatory and spaces for new technologies such 11. Reticulationof community ring. main 12. Emergency vehicle shelter as robots, drones and long-range submersibles.

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KEY FEATURES REPRESENTING AUSTRALIA

1. Sleeping accommodation for 150 people The new station will embody the spirit of Australia. 2. Living accommodation It will be a flag ship of sustainable design which 3. Link bridges connect buildings supports science of global significance 4. Science and technology building with 360-degree observatory and science deck FUTURE FLEXIBILITY SUSTAINABILITY 5. Operations and administration building SIMPLE MAINTENANCE The repeating modular design allows the interior Wind and solar power will be the primary sources 6. Water storage, waste treatment, utilities and general workshop SUPPORTING SCIENCE of the buildings to be easily re-configured to Buildings will be designed using simple repeatable 7. Pump house for treatment of alternative water source of energy and heating for the new station. suit changing science programs. When the services systems which are easy to access and 8. Vehicle workshop Future focussed infrastructure will enhance Generators will only be included to provide population expands additional modules can be maintain. The same systems can eventually be 9. Stores with PV panels on facades Australia’s Antarctic Science Program. The new emergency back-up. Water will be recycled and constructed and linked to the existing facilities. station will include a wide range of labs, an resilience will be significantly improved introduced in the other AAD stations. 10. Thermosyphons keep the permafrost frozen under ground bearing slabs . 11. Reticulation ring main observatory and spaces for new technologies such 12. Emergency vehicle shelter as robots, drones and long-range submersibles.

FUTURE FLEXIBILITY SUSTAINABILITY The repeating modular design allows the interior Wind and solar power will be the primary sources of the buildings to be easily re-configured to of energy and heating for the new station. suit changing science programs. When the Generators will only be included to provide population expands additional modules can be emergency back-up. Water will be recycled and constructed and linked to the existing facilities. resilience will be significantly improved. Proposed Davis aerodrome Next steps The AAD is currently preparing detailed plans and an The next stage of the master planning process includes: environmental assessment for a year-round aerodrome near • Detailed site investigations Davis station. • Refinement of options A final decision on the requirements and timing of the • Further engagement with stakeholders delivery of a modernised Davis station depends on whether the Davis aerodrome is approved to proceed. • Further development of Master Plan.