Continuity
The building is conceived as a natural extension of the coastal promenade, set apart from the street by an entrance atrium that allows it to function as an occasional outdoor exhibition space and public plaza. A generous access ramp, 6.7 meters wide, 115 meters long, and with a 4% slope, ascends parallel to the southwestern edge facing the Strait of Magellan, culminating in a plaza/viewpoint from which the landscape is dominantly observed. This level constitutes the main access point to the exhibition and is understood as a prolongation of the public space, elevating the street towards the museum.
Perspective
The building asserts itself as a geographic landmark within the territory. Given its proportions and characteristics, it is identifiable from land, water, and air. Its 219-meter length runs parallel to the sea, while its narrower façade, measuring 40 meters wide by 21 meters high, faces the city views, reinforcing its status as an urban milestone. Approaching the building from either side of the coastal promenade (east and west) allows for an understanding of its scale in foreshortened perspective, gradually rotating with the vehicular flow.
Base
The project fundamentally comprises two volumes: a base or plinth of 6.5 meters in height, and a larger crowning volume reaching 21 meters. The base functions as the foundational “plinth” of the ensemble, its materiality and expressive character designed to convey resilience against the potential threats posed by the building’s proximity to the sea.
Hierarchy
A dominant, larger volume rests atop the base. Its more delicate and transparent materiality is protected, presenting itself as the “gem” of the composition. Both its exterior and illuminated interior are stripped of any scale references or extraneous elements, with the intention of emphasizing its monumentality and conveying a sense of mysterious interiority.
Envelope
The glazed envelope of the upper volume is composed of modules of specially curved glass, semi-cylindrical in shape, responding to both perceptual and structural considerations. The concave inner side of the curved glass accentuates transparency by minimizing reflections, celebrating the views towards the Strait of Magellan. Conversely, the convex exterior side increases reflectivity and distorts the interior view. This non-figurative analogy seeks to sensorially evoke the memory of ice, while its white interior abstractly and timelessly references the Antarctic continent.
Structurally, the curved glass modules gain enhanced stability and strength. Each module is interconnected by a substructure of connectors, tensioners, and cables that rigidify them into a continuous plane capable of resisting the strong prevailing northern winds. A secondary interior curtain wall, separated by 50 cm from the exterior, creates an air chamber functioning as an enormous double-glazed system (Thermopanel).
Structure
The base level is founded on a reinforced concrete rigid frame system in the laboratory areas and consists of load-bearing walls and beams in the exhibition zones. The tying roof is constructed of a metal structure. The perimeter cantilever of the exhibition level, coinciding with the base’s perimeter, enables the glass enclosure system to be fixed at its upper and lower points with minimal reinforcing elements, thereby maximizing transparency and lightness.
Distribution
The programmatic layout of the center is divided into two zones: the more public exhibition area and the more private research center. Both zones are organized around green courtyards—the “Interior Antarctic Forest” corresponds to the former, while the “Exterior Forest” pertains to the latter. These zones are also connected by a “buffer” space housing all control and access areas.
The elevated base level (roof) connects the exhibition and the external plaza/viewpoint. Beneath the plaza level are the research laboratories, and below the exhibition zone are the outreach programs shared with the scientific program, including auditoriums and the cafeteria.
All facilities (exhibition area, scientific program, and outreach program) are designed to operate independently and autonomously, ensuring separate flows and accesses without cross-contamination.
Exhibition
The exhibition begins with a passage through the Interior Antarctic Forest, serving as a prelude to the experience. This forest is traversed at tree canopy height to dramatize the visitor’s journey. An elevator and staircase allow access to the base of the trees. The exhibition zone—which includes the planetarium, evolution hall, Antarctic and sub-Antarctic hall, and climate change hall—is presented as a large white container with a free height of 13 meters, interspersed with narrow, skylit corridors evoking crevices in ice fields. Each hall functions as an independent container of experiences to be freely discovered along the route.
Sustainability
Given Punta Arenas’ latitude, the building does not require mechanical cooling; outdoor air renewal at ambient temperature suffices to achieve comfort levels in areas with higher demand such as the auditorium and Interior Antarctic Forest. Air handling units fulfill this function.
The building’s large glazed façade allows substantial passive solar gain, creating a temperate air layer in circulation spaces, thereby enhancing thermal comfort and maximizing natural light in non-exhibition areas. To supply the minimal remaining heating demand, a low-complexity radiant slab system powered by gas boilers was selected.
The exhibition zone itself acts as a passive greenhouse, accumulating heat during cold months to reduce heating system consumption.
Solar panels and wind turbines installed on the roof serve as complementary renewable energy sources.