Architecture in Extreme Environments

Since ancient times, architecture has served as the primary setting for human activity, providing protection against harsh natural environments and ensuring basic survival. With the advancement of technology, the scope of human activity has continued to expand, giving rise to numerous structures built in extreme environments. These structures not only safeguard human safety but also open up new possibilities for human exploration.

1. Polar Architecture

Antarctica, often referred to as the Seventh Continent, is the last continent to be discovered on Earth and the only one without a permanent human population. The climate is extremely harsh, with an average annual temperature of -25°C and a record low of -89.2°C. Precipitation is virtually nonexistent near the poles, and the air is extremely dry, earning it the nickname “White Desert.” To explore the mysteries of this white continent, countries around the world have successively established Antarctic research stations there.

China has also established several research stations there. Completed in 2014, “Taishan Station”features a spatial steel frame-braced structural system. The structure utilizes 09MnNiDR low-temperature-resistant steel. It was designed, detailed, fabricated, and fully pre-assembled domestically, with all relevant integrated testing completed before being disassembled, packed, and shipped to Antarctica. Since welding quality cannot be guaranteed at extremely low temperatures, all on-site connections are bolted.

2. Mountain Summit Architecture

The Messner Mountain Museum is located at the summit of Mount Messner in Italy, at an elevation of 2,275 meters. The project includes an exhibition space connected by a ramp, several temporary exhibition halls, and a small auditorium. An observation deck with a 240-degree view is built on the rock face on the backside of the peak, offering a panoramic view of the entire Dolomites region and even the Alps.

The museum has a floor area of approximately 1,000 square meters and features a semi-underground structure, with the entire building constructed using cast-in-place concrete. Interior walls are approximately 40–50 cm thick, while the main structural elements reach 70 cm in thickness to withstand the pressure of the surrounding soil. Over 400 exterior and interior panels are made of precast concrete to harmonize with the surrounding landscape. The lower section of the museum is supported by a steel structure with adjustable struts. The interior maintains a relatively constant temperature, and large windows allow natural light to flood the space, offering visitors a breathtaking experience.

3. Desert Architecture

The Xiangshawan Lotus Hotel (Fig. 10) is located north of Ordos and south of Baotou in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with the Kubuqi Desert as its backdrop. With a total floor area of approximately 15,900 square meters, the project appears to be a four-story building but is actually a single-story structure comprising four concentric rings, each separated by sufficient distance and elevation. Set against the vast expanse of the desert, it resembles a giant white lotus.

To ensure the feasibility of construction in the desert, the structural framework employs steel plates to secure the highly fluid sand dunes layer by layer. Both the interior and exterior walls utilize a light-gauge steel stud system, with components prefabricated in a factory and transported to the site for modular assembly. The roof features a membrane structure designed to reduce energy consumption and collect and utilize rainwater. These membrane structures, as thin as cicada wings, function as an independent shading system, creating an exceptionally comfortable environment for the hotel during the summer.

4. Waterfront Architecture

The Touritis Lighthouse (Fig. 14), located near the island of Andros in the Cyclades archipelago of Greece, stands solitary atop a weathered rock, creating a fantastical scene that makes visitors feel as if they have arrived at “the end of the world.” Construction of this lighthouse began in 1887. Standing approximately 7 meters tall with a range of 11 nautical miles, it has illuminated the seafaring route for over 120 years. The Touritis Lighthouse was tragically destroyed during World War II, but in 1994, the “Greek shipping magnate” Goulandris family funded its reconstruction. The gray-white tower stands atop rocks of the same hue, seemingly blending into them as if it had “grown” directly from the sea. Set against the deep blue waters and the seagulls occasionally gliding overhead, it exudes a sense of vast, desolate beauty.

5. Underground Architecture

The InterContinental Shanghai Sheshan, located within the Tianma Mountain Deep Pit in the Sheshan National Tourism Resort of Songjiang District, Shanghai. The hotel extends 88 meters below ground level, built against the cliff face of the deep pit, making it the world’s first eco-friendly hotel constructed within a disused quarry.

The hotel has a total floor area of 61,087 square meters, comprising two above-ground floors and 15 underground floors (two of which are below water level). The lower portion of the main structure rests on bedrock at the pit bottom, while the upper portion is connected to the bedrock at the pit top (as well as part of the podium). The main structure employs a steel frame-braced system, with the frame columns made of steel-concrete composite columns. At the pit top, a steel truss serves as a spanning structure to support part of the upper two floors of the podium.

Due to the unique geological conditions of the Shimao Shenzhen Pit Hotel project, there was no prior experience to draw upon during construction. The feasibility study took seven years to complete, and after eight years of development, the project team overcame 64 technical challenges and secured 41 patents, earning the project the title of “a world architectural marvel.”