Towards a New Antarctic Architecture : Terra Nova II Expedition by Taylor Gray Medlin BEDA

61 Pages·2010·19.58 MB·English

Towards a New Antarctic Architecture : Terra Nova II Expedition
by
Taylor Gray Medlin
B.E.D.A (North Carolina State University) 2006
A thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the
requirements for the degree of
Master of Architecture
in the
Graduate Division
of the
University of California, Berkeley
Committee in charge:
Professor Ron Rael , Chair
Professor Rene Davids
Professor Walter Hood
Spring 2010
a
The thesis of Taylor Gray Medlin is approved:
Chair ______________________________________________ Date _____________
______________________________________________ Date _____________
______________________________________________ Date _____________
University of California, Berkeley
b
Towards a New Antarctic Architecture : Terra Nova II Expedition
© 2010
by Taylor Gray Medlin
c
Abstract
Towards a New Antarctic Architecture : Terra Nova II Expedition
by
Taylor Gray Medlin
Master of Architecture
University of California, Berkeley
Professor Ron Rael, Chair
The “Terra Nova II expedition” will be departing from Berkeley, CA for the distant shores
of Antarctica on May 14th, 2010 to attempt to survive and thrive in one of the most inhospitable
locations in the world. The definition of an expedition is “a journey undertaken by a group of
people with a definite objective.” For all of those brave souls that volunteer for the expedition,
our objective will be to prove the plausibility and usefulness of construction in Antarctica using
only a minimum amount of resources and materials for comfortable habitation.
Antarctica’s isolated location results in a gross misuse of materials from a construction
and logistical point of view. Not only does every scrap of material used to build have to be
flown over from the mainland, but when a building deteriorates {usually within 10 years} that
same material has to be hauled all of the way back out of Antarctica. Together, as a coalition,
we will prove that it is not only possible to build in Antarctica with minimal external resources,
but that it is the beginning of a new age of construction for the continent!
Chair__________________________________________ Date____________
i
to my family
for always believing in me,
or at least telling me you did.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prologue : A Brief History of TANAAC
{1} Encountering World’s End
{2} Life Support Modules
{3} ICE 9 System
{4} Habitation Pods
{5} The ARK
Epilogue: A New Future
Appendix: Data
iii
TOwArdS A NEw ANTArCTiC ArChiTECTurE
“With other men, perhaps, such things would not have been inducements; but
as for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to
sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts. Not ignoring what is good,
I am quick to perceive a horror, and could still be social with it- would they let
me- since it is but well to be on friendly terms with all the inmates of the place
one lodges in.
By reason of these things, then, the whaling voyage was welcome; the great
flood-gates of the wonder-world swung open, and in the wild conceits that
swayed me to my purpose, two and two there floated into my inmost soul,
endless processions of the whale, and, mid most of them all, one grand
hooded phantom, like a snow hill in the air.”
-Herman Melville
iv
ACkNOwLEdgEmENTS
This thesis owes an enormous debt to Ron Rael for all of his tireless support, enthusiasm, and
late-night/early-morning e-mails. Thank you for your kind words on hard days and pushing the
project to a place that it would have never gotten without your guidance.
Special thanks to Rene Davids, Gary Black, Zoe Prillinger and Luke Ogrydziak for taking even the
bad ideas seriously, but more importantly, laughing at the good ones.
Heartfelt thanks are also owed to Gavin Knowles, Megan Johnson, Peter Lingamfelter, Ben Gold-
er, Nick Sowers, Rocky Hanish, and Dave Bowen for scripts, scrolls, fictitious histories, breakfast
conversations, Kahn/Thesis talks, and dressing up in jump suits {respectively}.
v
PrOLOguE : A BriEF hiSTOry OF T.A.N.A.A.C.
1
VOLUNTEERS
WANTED
for hazardous journey,
small wages, bitter cold,
long months of
complete darkness,
constant danger,
safe return doubtful,
architectural honor and
recognition in case of
success.
Come get cold,
Founder T.A.N.A.A.C
A “warm” thanks to all of our generous sponsors.
T.A.N.A.A.C.
TERRA NOVA II EXPEDITION
2
9’
10’
metal formwork
metal ties