Constructing Svalbard research center

[Þróndeimr]

Svalbard research center
Longyearbyen - Svalbard

The construction of the new research center in Londyearbyen started this spring. The center will is to become a modern 8 500sqm research center built in wood, and fit perfectly well into the surroundings. The center will be completed in december 2005, and will become the largest building in Svalbard.

http://www.statsbygg.no/aktuelt/pressemeldinger/Unismodell1_360.jpg
Full size image:
http://www.statsbygg.no/aktuelt/pressemeld...Unismodell1.jpg (http://www.statsbygg.no/aktuelt/pressemeldinger/Unismodell1.jpg)

http://www.statsbygg.no/aktuelt/pressemeldinger/Unismodell4_360.jpg
Full size image:
http://www.statsbygg.no/aktuelt/pressemeld...Unismodell4.jpg (http://www.statsbygg.no/aktuelt/pressemeldinger/Unismodell4.jpg)

[sdes]

Looks very interesting and modern. Looking forward to see that ready.

[Gatis]

Looks exactly as scientific centre from fantastic movies. Great for Svalbard! Would be funny to participate in conference someday there!
Some my friends walked across part of Svalbard some years ago. They were quite xcited about this adventure, although the white bears made them a little uneasy.

[Þróndeimr]

Looks exactly as scientific centre from fantastic movies. Great for Svalbard! Would be funny to participate in conference someday there!
Some my friends walked across part of Svalbard some years ago. They were quite xcited about this adventure, although the white bears made them a little uneasy.

Yes, Ice bears, they can be very exited to meet! Svalbard has many of those, and there has been a serial of accidents (included death numbers) between the worlds largest bear and us. But most of them are tourist walking in the nature on their own.

[NorthStar77]

WOW :eek: this is huge for Svalbard!!

[Oberleutnant]

Svalbard . . . Londyearbyen? These names don't tell much to most of us non-Norwegians. :)

[Moolio]

Wow, I'm very impressed. Very unique and progressive design. :)

[NorthStar77]

Svalbard . . . Londyearbyen? These names don't tell much to most of us non-Norwegians. :)

Longyearbyen is sort of the capital of Svalbard. Svalbard is not part of the norwegian territory, but is administrating it sorta, as specified in the Svalbard treaty from 1920, signed by Norway, Russia, USA, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, and Sweden.

Both Norway and Russia have mining industry there, wich does not pay off that well, but is only kept alive so we can claim some ownership to the island, afaik.

I think also that this research facility is part of that strategy, as the mines are getting empty, we must come up with new excuses to claim some sort of ownership to the area.

I'm not sure how many lives on Svalbard, but I think it is only 2-3.000 norwegians/other nationalities, and 1.000 and declining number of Russians.

http://www.svalbard.com/images/svalbardmap.gif

http://www.svalbard.com/images/Svalbardkart_ferdig.gif

Svalbard FAQ: http://www.svalbard.com/SvalbardFAQ.html

[Estboy]

wow..it's a huge project to Longyearbyen...and the building looks very cool...

btw could anyone post some good pics of Longyearbyen?

[Þróndeimr]

Yes, and this is Longyearbyen...:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cityx/Norwegian%20Images/Longyearbyen1.jpg
Incredible surroundings...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cityx/Norwegian%20Images/Longyearbyen3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cityx/Norwegian%20Images/Longyearbyen2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cityx/Norwegian%20Images/Longyearbyen4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cityx/Norwegian%20Images/Longyearbyen6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cityx/Norwegian%20Images/Longyearbyen5.jpg

As you cen see Longyearbyen is situated in an incredible nature. But the city is quite poor in architecture and design yeat. Most of the houses and buildings are some very easy buildings imported from mainland Norway. But this is about to change. Many new residential houses is been built and looks far better on the outside. The research center is also a beautiful building with an amazing design.

[AtlanticaC5]

Wow, fabolous landscape! Makes me think of the Lord of the Rings...:)

[ch1le]

yes, Increadible scenery! Makes me think of skiing

[Þróndeimr]

yes, Increadible scenery! Makes me think of skiing

Yeah, but there isn't even one skiing resort in Svalbard. There are few of ppl up there, but a small ski resort is still missing. This is probably because that it is actually quite few of snow in Svalbard, its actually as dry as a desert with about 150-200mm each year. And the nature is very vulnerable, so it would never be allowed to built it i guess.

[eomer]

yes, Increadible scenery! Makes me think of skiing
Yes fantastic mountains and snow ! Makes me think of starwars "the empire strikes back"

[PornStar]

impressive project(love the design!!!!) & the location fits it well :)

[sdes]

Great landscape ! Makes me think of cold :)

[Norum]

Svalbard looks very beautiful and romantic..