14 January, 2026 AIMP, Press releases

Scientists working in Antarctica will benefit from a major new British Antarctic Survey (BAS) facility that demonstrates the UK’s position as a world leader in polar research.

The £100 million Discovery Building and a new network of services at Rothera Research Station has been formally opened by Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of BAS, marking completion of the largest UK construction project ever undertaken in Antarctica.

Take a video tour of the Discovery Building with Eliot Perez, Assistant Project Manager, Rothera Modernisation.

The building, with an internal area of 4,500 square metres, featuring over 100 rooms and spaces spread over two floors, will serve as the operational heart of the UK’s main Antarctic research station, providing all power, drinking water, and communications. The building replaces ageing infrastructure spread across multiple buildings and is designed to provide a safer and more efficient environment for staff as well as reduce carbon emissions at Rothera. It will support science programmes studying everything from ice sheet stability to marine ecosystems.

Rothera Research Station has acted as Britain’s gateway to the Antarctic continent since 1975. The station has hosted programmes from the British Antarctic Survey, UK universities and international partners including the Netherlands’ Dirck Gerritsz laboratory, as well as long-term environmental monitoring facilities.

The Discovery Building houses an operations tower, overseeing air access to Rothera and into the deep field, central stores with digital inventory systems, a vehicles garage equipped to service the station’s fleet, and an energy centre powering all station operations. Scientists preparing for deep field expeditions now have dedicated facilities all under one roof to plan and equip their research programmes efficiently.

A tower on top of a large blue building with large windws.
The operations tower of the new Discovery Building at Rothera with solar panels installed on the wall below. Credit: Pete Bucktrout, BAS.
A team of people standing on the stairwell outside a large blue building.
Team standing outside the Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station. Credit David Ganiford, BAS

Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and one element of the government-funded £670 million Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, construction of the Discovery Building started in 2019 and has been completed on time and to the expected budget. The programme, the largest government investment in Antarctic science infrastructure since the 1980s, has already delivered the UK’s polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough (launched in 2021), upgraded wharfs at Rothera and King Edward Point research stations, and an upgraded and extended runway at Rothera.

The investment demonstrates the UK’s commitment to world-leading polar science and Britain’s long-term presence in Antarctica, where research provides crucial insights into global climate systems and changes in our oceans which affect people worldwide.

a building surrounded by snow
Rothera Research Station in winter. Credit: BAM

The ongoing investment in the UK’s polar infrastructure is a significant element of the UK Government’s commitment to Antarctica, as set out in the recently published UK Antarctic Strategy.

Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research, Innovation and Nuclear says:

“Antarctic research is essential to understanding how changing climate patterns could affect our planet in the years to come, from food security to flooding risk – so together, we can act.

“The UK has long been a leader in polar science and this government investment in modern, state of the art facilities will enable current and future generations of researchers to tackle shared challenges with our international partners.”

Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation says:

“UKRI and NERC will prioritise research and innovation where the UK can lead globally and deliver maximum impact from its investments. The insights from Antarctic science inform critical decisions on climate adaptation, help protect vital industries from fisheries to agriculture, and position UK researchers and businesses at the heart of the growing green economy. By maintaining world-leading polar research capability, we’re not only advancing knowledge but driving the innovation and expertise that supports sustainable economic growth.”

Professor Louise Heathwaite, Executive Chair at NERC says:

“The completion of the Discovery Building and network of services in Rothera reflects our commitment to innovation and growth, and the resilience of the UK’s and global environmental security. Our investment allows us to continue to support talented and curious researchers, we are building understanding of our changing world so that we are better placed to face an often-uncertain future.”

Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director BAS says:

“The fantastic new Discovery Building and our programme of modernisation at Rothera offer UK and international researchers the facilities needed to enable science and operations at Rothera and in the deep field for decades to come. We’re incredibly excited to see the building come to life on our 50th anniversary. It’s been an intense period of work in the most challenging construction site in the world – I look forward to the opportunities it offers for collaborative polar science and operations in Antarctica”