Antarctic partnership to showcase digital construction and extreme engineering at Autodesk University 2022

The Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) team - British Antarctic Survey, BAM, Ramboll and Sweco - are heading to New Orleans this September to share their unique story and the successes of the Antarctic programme.

The team will be featured at one of AU’s keynote sessions on 27 September, where they will discuss how digital capabilities have helped construction workers build new facilities at the end of the earth and enabled UK scientists to stay at the forefront of climate and polar research in Antarctica.

Want to join the digital experience at AU22?

If you are not planning to attend AU22, you can still watch the Keynote live by registering for the free ‘Digital Pass’ on the Autodesk website. Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive an email from Autodesk with details on how to watch the keynote sessions live.

Building at the end of the Earth

Since 2017, the programme partnership, along with the construction partnership, has been upgrading science facilities for the British Antarctic Survey in Antarctica. Transforming how scientists will carry out crucial climate research, the project team has successfully built a new wharf in 2020 at Rothera Research Station to accommodate the new RRS Sir David Attenborough.

The long-term programme, commissioned by NERC, will enable a world-leading capability to ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of climate, biodiversity and ocean research in the polar regions. The team will be heading South for another season later this year to continue building the new energy-efficient Discovery Building, which will have a thermally efficient building envelope, heat recovery generators and thermal stores. It will also minimise snow accumulation around the entire perimeter, featuring a slightly pitched roof and wind deflector, the largest of its kind in Antarctica.