The Romanian Academy of Science sponsored several expeditions and scientific research to be conducted in the North Pole area, as Romania is one of the few countries to have received construction rights in Svalbard after WWII. The Academy started to raise funds for a national polar station which will host Romanian scientists teams for a minimum of 3 months/year. There were 4 different concepts developed for the polar station. The main challenge of the design was to take into account the permafrost earth condition and the necessity for a prefabricated system to be built off site in Romania and assembled locally in Svalbard.The proposals were part of a study to raise awareness and funds for scientific research in the North pole region.
THE TENT STATION| A shelter, a research module, a space for communicating the daily descoveries, a visible sign on a white backdrop, a reflection of the old norwegian tents in the eyes of kids that dream of space stations..
The design concept starts on a octagonal based tent structure that developes on ground- and 1st floor, having a central vertical open space. On the groundfloor there are private rooms on each side of the tent and a central living area. The research and study areas are located on the first floor gallery- with the same vertical communication space that connects the living area on the ground floor, the gallery on the 1st floor and receives direct light from the skylight above. The structure of the station is made of wood and metal, with exterior wooden cladding, double windows and orientable solar panels at the top of the tent. The modular triangle faces of the facade can be prefabricated and delivered on site for easy and fast assembly.

credits: professional rendering: arch. Oana Vinatoru