NORTON SOUNd

NORTON SOUND ICE RESEARCH FACILITY, ESALA

In first Semester of the 64°N module we looked at locations along the 64° Latitude (sans Iceland) and developed a project for a location along this latitude. 

I designed a project for Egavik, a desolate beach in Norton Sound, Alaska. The building I developed was an Ice Research Facility, like those used by the American Army to research the effects of ice on buildings and infrastructure. It essentially consisted of two parts. First, an Ice Vault and test pool, set in-land and dug into permafrost to sustain a regular temperature, second, the area nearest the water held accommodation facilities. Above both was a research laboratory which had access to the ice vault below. The structure created a sheltered space for the staff accommodation, which was formed out of ice blocks and could shrink and grow depending on how many scientists were present each season. 

The construction methods were carefully considered. The building sits over various conditions, as a result there are three different designs of foundations. The ice vault and the test pond are cast from concrete to create the thermal mass to monitor the temperature. The shuttering of this concrete is what goes on to form the accommodation and administration section of the building on the beach. This reduces the amount of materials or journeys needed to construct the building.