PHOTO COURTESY   Ferraro Choi & Associates Ltd.

This artists impression shows how the new Pole Station should look when completed. The lift and service tower at left is the first to be completed followed by the two accomodation and science wings at right. these   wings are build on poles set deep into the ice. The wings can be raised up on these legs over the years to prevent the station being burried under snow as has happened with all previous South Pole Stations.

Here is another artistic view of how the station should look when completed. The Hercules aircraft at right gives an idea of the size of the building.

This photo taken in November, 2000 from the ceremonial South Pole shows the old  Dome Station in the background with the new station tower taking shape at right between the Norwegian and New Zealand flags.

This view was taken the same day as the previous view looks along the runway with the tower of the new station at right and the old station behind.

Another view taken in late November 2000 showing the first of the supports for the main block being lowered into place by two large cranes currently working at the South Pole.

Another angle of the same operation.

A closer view

This view taken on 5th December 2000 shows several of the cross beams now in place.

This view taken a few moments later shows the next beam being lowered into place.

Finally we now see the beam now in place. Note these last three photos were taken at night-time but in the summer there is 24 hour sunshine and so the pole station building goes ahead around the clock interrupted only by bad weather.

This distant photo taken on December 8th, 2000 shows the Sci-tech Sky lab building (in red) at left, the Dome Station in the middle with fuel arch and garage shop archs at right.

A slightly different angled view also taken on December 8th, 2000

A closer view showing the new supports for the new station in the foreground.

A much closer view taken the following day with the crane in operation.

Another closer view taken some time later.

This view was taken in mid December 2000

Meanwhile work has also been progressing on the MASASAT Antenna as shown in this view taken about 20th December, 2000

This photo taken on January 1st, 2001 from on top of the big snow pile clearly shows the relationship between the new and the old South Pole Station which is the dome shape at right center.  Meanwhile word comes that the decision has been made to eventually remove the Dome Station when its use finishes by cutting up the building with chainsaws and removing it piece by piece.

A view taken in the first week of January 2001

An interesting view taken from behind the fuel and repair arches shown in the middle of the picture with the new station construction in the background.

This view taken on 13th January 2001 from on top of the snow pile clearly shows progress in filling in the walls of the first wing.

This photo was also taken on 13th January but from behind the fuel and machine arches.

A more distant view also on January 13th showing the filled in wall

On Wednesday, January 24, 2001 at 17:21 local time, the final insulated panel was lifted into position and placed on the down wind end of Pod A-1.

This event marks the third and final summer construction milestone for the  2000/2001 season. Now that the shell of the building is in place and electricity connected, the winter-over crew will work at fitting the lining and electrical wiring for the new station.

A February, 2001 view from behind the fuel and machine shop arches.

A striking February view showing the front of Pod 1A and the Service Tower at left.

A side on view of the Pod showing the relationship to the old Dome Building.

A rear view of the pod in February, 2001

A view further to the right with the arches and the Dome in view.

This photo completes the series of summer 2000-2001 season building photos and shows the pod complete on the outside.  South Pole Station will finish its summer season about the 15th February, 2001.

During the winter, work will go on fitting out the pod and next summer work should commence on the next pod.