Home Memories Installation in Antarctica by Balbek Bureau

In 2023, Kyiv-based architecture and design studio balbek bureau unveiled the Home Memories Installation at the Vernadsky Research Base in Antarctica. This extraordinary temporary art project transforms a defunct fuel tank into a symbolic monument inspired by the image of a traditional Ukrainian house, blending cultural memory with architectural innovation in one of the world’s most remote environments.

A Cultural Beacon in Antarctica

Commissioned by the National Antarctic Research Center of Ukraine and supported by the Silpo retail chain, the project was conceived as both an emotional landmark for researchers and a visual attraction for tourists visiting Galindez Island. Constructed with the help of the Wonder Workshop bureau, the installation emphasizes resilience, sustainability, and symbolic design—qualities essential to withstand the extreme polar conditions.

Design Concept: Home Away from Home

The installation reimagines the Vernadsky Research Base as a “home away from home” for polar scientists who spend months isolated from their families. The structure’s delicate framing outlines the shape of a rural Ukrainian house, resembling a pencil sketch drawn from memory. This metaphor reflects the nostalgia and emotional ties researchers carry with them, reminding them of their roots despite being thousands of miles away.

Beyond its visual impact, the project had to meet strict ecological requirements. With over 3,500 penguins inhabiting the island, the installation was designed to be safe, non-disruptive, and weather-resistant, while also ensuring ease of assembly in challenging conditions.

A Traveling Exhibition of Ukrainian Heritage

Complementing the architectural installation, balbek bureau curated a mini exhibition showcasing cultural artifacts from Ukraine. These included Kosiv painted ceramics, recognized by UNESCO, and a lump of coal from the Donetsk region, preserved in resin as a powerful symbol of Ukraine’s industrial and cultural landscape. Later, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the collection was expanded, strengthening the project’s role as a traveling ambassador of Ukrainian heritage.

From Concept to Completion

The project’s journey was not without obstacles. The structure was shipped to Antarctica in spring 2022, but the installation was delayed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite the challenges, the vision endured. In February 2023, architect Slava Balbek, CEO of balbek bureau, and Dmytro Zinoviev, head of Wonder Workshop, personally traveled to Antarctica to complete the installation.

Their efforts transformed an abandoned fuel tank into a poetic architectural landmark that bridges memory, identity, and resilience in the harsh Antarctic landscape.

Project Details

• Architects: balbek bureau
• Location: Vernadsky Research Base, Galindez Island, Antarctica
• Year: 2023
• Photography: Slava Balbek
• Commissioned by: National Antarctic Research Center of Ukraine
• Construction Partner: Wonder Workshop bureau
• Support: Silpo retail chain, Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine

All photographs are works ofSlava Balbek