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Taking into account the need for rebuilding the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station due to the destruction of its main building in February 2012, this research is aimed at identifying and analyzing the constructive techniques employed in reference to scientific stations, addressing potential replicability for new Brazilian buildings. The methodology adopted, in addition to the required literature review, established as timeframe for choosing referential buildings the maximum period of 10 years of construction. Six buildings were previously selected and analyzed according to the aspects of architecture and constructive systems. The information has been selected and systematized in the form of a summary table. The results pointed to recurring use of constructive systems based on metallic structures, designed in a modular way and protected by coatings isolating them from the direct action of the weather, with techniques developed in accordance with the logistical support available. Furthermore, the aerodynamic design of the buildings and the ground elevation were observed, as well as a marked concern for the use of proven efficient technologies without restricting aspects of innovation.

The Emergency Antarctic Modules (MAE) were installed in the area of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF) in early 2013 to support the removal of the debris from the fire occurred in 2012 and for the continuation of the scientific activities undertaken at the site. The relevance of this work, further to generating key information for the technological improvement of Antarctic buildings, has contributed to the development of the building maintenance plan, which must ensure its best performance in the coming years. The method consisted in: I. Site visit and review of literature and documents; II. Definition of the aspects to be considered and the evaluation procedures to be adopted; III. Elaboration of a questionnaire applied to the current users; IV. Data collection and tabulation; V. Analysis of information and obtainment of results. The main results indicated that the MAE complex complies with its intended function and the overall performance is categorized as good and close to excellent. A few minor problems mainly related to tightness, thermal and acoustic comfort, equipment and privacy were identified. So it was concluded that due mainly to the speed with which the modules had to be installed, it was not possible to meet all the expectations, when compared with permanent buildings. However, as a temporary base – i.e. an advanced base camp – the MAE has qualities that allow people to stay in Antarctica with comfort and safety.

The studies on thermal comfort establish the conditions required to evaluate and form an idea concerning a thermal environment appropriate for activities and human occupancy, in addition to the institution of methods and principles for a detailed thermal analysis of an environment. The inhospitable climatic conditions in the Antarctic environment (low temperatures, high wind speeds, isolation and the need for conservation of the natural environment) demand a deep study of several fields comprising the environmental comfort of the buildings, since the observance of national and international regulations related to this subject means an additional connection with personal safety, as well as assuring the health and well-being of the users. The purpose of this research is to assess the level of thermal insulation efficiency of the envelopment of the Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Base (EACF, acronym in Portuguese) by means of measurements of thermal comfort indices in pre-selected environments, using for this proper equipment in accordance with international standards. The results showed differences in temperature in evaluated environments and reflect inefficiency in the insulating material.

The first Brazilian buildings on the Antarctic Continent date from 1984, with the establishment of isolated and readymade structures from Brazil, whose primary function was supporting the development of research and marking the Brazilian intention of developing long-term activities in that place. Since then, the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Base, located in Keller Peninsula, has undergone deep and disorganized transformations, reaching 2,250 m2 in its main body to date, not considering the individual units. At first the establishment of the Base and its scale indicated minimal changes in the natural landscape and would allow the complete recovery of the environment, if there was a need for its removal. However, concurrent with its growth, the need for assessing the impact caused by the human presence in the region from a landscape perspective was verified. Thus, this study has the purpose of obtaining results with the view to creating a methodology of monitoring and subsequent analysis of the landscape impact on Antarctic environment and applying it to Keller Peninsula. The morphological approach is aimed at assuring the ecological sustainability of that landscape, keeping the large structures working and establishing the link between past and present.

Since 2001, specific studies on the subject of solid wastes produced at the Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Base (EACF) have been carried out in order to characterise, quantify and identify the overall production of solid wastes in several activities performed in that Antarctic station. In 2006 a new spreadsheet to control the wastes was adopted in order to optimize the monitoring task, from the initial collection to final storage. Thus, this study is aimed at assessing the annual production of solid wastes, specifically from January 2009 to March 2010, and researching significant potential changes in the waste quantities after application of the new spreadsheet, based on the values of the production from 2001 to 2008 (historic series). Methodologically, the past results of production of wastes of the EACF and the data of current situation supplied by SECIRM were analyzed. From the results, a general increase of the solid wastes documented from 2006 was noted, reflecting improvement in procedures in the identification and quantification of waste generated at EACF. This increase is concurrent to two factors affecting the final production of waste: the early studies of the EACF Revitalization Program and the increase of the number of users at the station.

The project is aimed mainly at assessing the direct effects caused by the construction of buildings in Antarctica by Brazilians and developing specific technologies for Antarctic buildings founded on the tripod comfort/safety x impact minimization x efficiency. The studies have been divided into ten main approach foci: 1. Corrosion; 2. Acoustics; 3. Landscape; 4. Waste; 5. Territorial planning; 6. Quality of indoor air; 7. Water; 8. Wastewater; 9. Thermal performance; and 10. Energy. Considering the results obtained in 2009, in continuity there is a synthesis of the main results obtained in the specific investigations concerning water, landscape, acoustics, and corrosion which led to making use of these results for developing the SAM – Standard Antarctic Module (MAP – Modulo Antartico Padrao). Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo – UFES, Espirito Santo, Brazil e-mail: cristinaengel@pq.cnpq.br