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Providing reliable indoor climate solutions at the South Pole
Extreme cold, powerful winds and complete isolation are part of everyday life at Scott Base in Antarctica. As the station prepares for the future with a major redevelopment, Systemair New Zealand is playing a role in creating the indoor climate that supports life and work in one of Earth's harshest environments.
Case Study: Scott Base, Antarctica
Project highlights
Working around extreme conditions
18 Air Handling Units will be installed and tested in New Zealand before being carefully dismantled, labelled and packed for transport to Antarctica.
When reliable indoor climate solutions are a must
People working in the Antarctic rely heavily on a safe, comfortable and warm indoor space.
Reliable performance in an unforgiving environment
With only a 100-day window each Antarctic summer to complete critical work, getting things right first time is essential
At the edge of the world
Most of us think we've had a tough winter if we needed to pull on boots before heading out the door.
At Scott Base on Ross Island, Antarctica, it's a different story.
Scientists, engineers and support teams spend months living and working in one of the world's most remote and challenging environments, where extreme cold, powerful winds and isolation are simply a part of everyday life. In a place like this, a warm and reliable indoor environment is essential. It provides a place to rest, recuperate and prepare for the demanding work that happens beyond the station walls.
Now Scott Base is preparing for the future. A major redevelopment project will deliver new accommodation, communal facilities and upgraded infrastructure, helping ensure the station can continue supporting world-class science for decades to come.
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A new chapter for Scott Base
The Scott Base redevelopment is about much more than new buildings. It's about giving New Zealand's Antarctic programme the facilities it needs for the future.
For nearly 70 years, the station has supported scientific research that helps us better understand our planet, from climate change and environmental patterns to the unique ecosystems found in Antarctica.
Now, the station is getting its biggest upgrade in decades. The redevelopment will deliver new accommodation and communal areas, modern science and operational spaces, and upgraded infrastructure designed to support Antarctic research long into the future.
When completed, the redeveloped station will provide a modern home away from home for the scientists, engineers and support personnel who spend months living and working in one of the most isolated locations on Earth.
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Systemair heads to Scott Base
Building in Antarctica comes with challenges that few construction projects ever face. Equipment needs to perform in an unforgiving environment. Logistics are carefully planned around a short annual construction season, with teams having just a 100-day window each Antarctic summer to complete critical work.
Once materials and equipment begin their journey to Ross Island, there is little room for changes or second chances.
That's what makes the Scott Base redevelopment such a remarkable project.
As part of the redevelopment, Systemair New Zealand will supply 18 Topvex FS20 Flat Compact units with electric heaters. The units will support accommodation and communal spaces within the new facilities and are scheduled for delivery in early 2027.
For the Systemair team, the project represents much more than another successful order as Mark Turney, Managing Director of Systemair New Zealand, explains, "Being part of the Scott Base redevelopment is about more than supplying equipment. It's an opportunity to contribute to a project that will support Antarctic science for decades to come. We're incredibly proud of the work the team has done to secure this project. It's not every day you get to say Systemair is heading to the South Pole."
Bringing Antarctica to Dunedin
One of the most surprising parts of the Scott Base project is that much of the work will happen thousands of kilometres away from Antarctica in Dunedin, New Zealand. According to Dave Buckley, Project Manager at DBC Building Services, project teams cannot access the site for around eight months of the year.
To make sure everything goes smoothly, DBC is building replica rooms in Dunedin and carrying out as much installation work as possible before anything is shipped south. The equipment, ductwork and pipework will all be installed and tested before being carefully dismantled, labelled and packed for transport to Antarctica.
It's a process that shows just how different Antarctic construction is. On most projects, if something is missing, it can be delivered within days. At Scott Base, there may not be another opportunity until the next construction season.
That's why planning, reliability and getting things right the first time are so important.
Supporting life at Scott Base
The 18 Topvex FS20 units will provide heating for accommodation and communal spaces within the redeveloped station.
While much of the attention around Antarctica focuses on the research taking place outside, life inside the station is equally important. Reliable indoor climate solutions help ensure the people working there have a safe, comfortable and resilient environment in one of the world's most extraordinary locations.