Traditional Ukrainian house drawn in Antarctica
On the remote Galindez Island in Antarctica, a disused fuel tank at the Vernadsky Research Base of the Ukrainian Antarctic Station underwent a transformative redesign. Balbeck Bureau, entrusted with this task, drew inspiration from traditional Ukrainian dwellings, crafting a space that evoked a sense of ‘home.’ The tank’s exterior features a delicate thin frame, reminiscent of a pencil sketch, skillfully portraying the essence of a childhood home etched in memories.
The architectural outlines, showcasing slate roofs, chimneys, and unique windows, were curated from a mosaic of rural Ukrainian house designs. The architects meticulously curated hundreds of photographs from diverse locations to create these composite images. Adorning the tank’s outer walls are Ukrainian symbols, including elements of the traditional embroidered costume, vyshyvanka, and a sample of UNESCO-listed Kosiv pottery, encapsulated in epoxy resin.
The project posed various challenges, considering not only the geographical location but also the extreme environment and delicate ecosystem. It necessitated easy on-site assembly, resilience against harsh weather conditions, and the assurance of safety for the 3,500 penguins inhabiting the island. Unexpectedly, the project faced delays due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the spring of 2022, coinciding with the shipment of building materials to the research base. Nearly a year later, in February of the following year, the architects embarked on a journey to Antarctica to finally bring the project to fruition.
Throughout this intricate journey, the installation took on newfound significance. The design, rooted in the concept of ‘home,’ became a poignant symbol of the collective yearning of millions of displaced Ukrainians, eager to return safely to their homeland and create fresh memories. Serving as a heartwarming and nostalgic beacon for researchers and tourists alike on the Antarctic continent, the ‘Home Memories’ installation emerged as a fitting and meaningful commemoration of the Ukrainian situation.
Project: Home Memories Installation / Location: Vernadsky research base, Galindez Island, Antarctica / Architects: balbek bureau (Slava Balbek, Anastasiia Partyka, Alyona Tryhub) / Project manager: Arina Petrenko / Client: National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine / Geolocation: QP3V+M2X, Vernadsky Research Base, Antarctic Continent / Use: art project / Materials: stainless steel pipes and galvanized lattice flooring for the structure; epoxy resin for the exposition / 3D artists: Nik K, Valerii Stefanov / Graphic designers: Dasha Levchuk, Oleksandra Zavada / Production: Dmytro Zinoviev and the Wonder Workshop bureau / Sculptor: Marusia Sinkevich / Сopywriter: Taisiia Kudenko / Comms support: Yevheniia Ryzhak / Design: balbek bureau / Construction: Slava Balbek and Dmytro Zinoviev / Completion: 2023 / Photograph: ©Slava Balbek (courtesy of the architect)
