Key rooms of the research station

Animal necropsy lab & large animal necropsy lab

The lab will provide the necessary tools, equipment and space for scientists to examine, dissect and analyze animal corpses. It will allow researchers to study Arctic wildlife such as waterfowl, fish, seals and muskox on a large necropsy table.

The lab will contain a gantry (a mounted crane) above the autopsy table, where heavy specimens can be lowered from the field dock through an airlock. A change area and teleconferencing will be also be provided.

Mechanical workshop

The workshop will support the technology functions of the Science and Technology Plan. It is an open engineering workshop with reconfigurable work benches, machinery, etc. for testing and construction of equipment.

Lay down space

The lay down space also supports the technology functions of the Science and Technology Program, and can be used as a marshalling area in the winter for sorting and washing field trip gear.

Cold lab

This multi-purpose lab facilitates the testing and analysis of insects, seeds, snow, and ice samples. When used as a cold lab, it is kept at a temperature of -4° to -10° Celsius, but can be converted to a wet lab.

Clean lab

This lab will provide an ultra-clean environment with low levels of environmental pollutants such as dust, airborne microbes or chemical vapors.

Digital imaging

This space will be centrally located for digital imaging and microscope work. It has dedicated vibration protection equipment for delicate imaging work.

Knowledge sharing centre

The knowledge sharing centre is a space where local Inuit and scientists can meet, discuss and exchange scientific knowledge in a lounge or meeting space environment. This multi-purpose room can accommodate various events (social, educational, community) and includes recording, translation and broadcasting equipment. The knowledge sharing centre and areas throughout the stations will use culturally relevant artifacts and artwork to enhance the character of the station under an Arctic and Inuit theme.

Translation room

This room is located between the knowledge sharing centre and the multi-use space. It provides appropriate equipment for translation services to ensure comfortable and effective participation in conferences, workshops, joint meetings and traditional knowledge sharing and/or cultural activities.

Multi-use space

This space is open to the public and can function as a dining area for conferences or workshops. Since it is a publicly accessible space within the station, the community can also use it for various purposes, such as movie nights.

Storage

A number of storage spaces are located throughout the station, housing much of the equipment and materials necessary for its operations. Other specific storage spaces will be used to safely store chemicals, gases and as used battery storage.

Closed offices/executive offices and interview rooms

Various office spaces are available for use by the station's full-time staff. Interview rooms will also be available, which are specifically designed to allow people to easily conduct interviews, social science research or small meetings. Recording equipment, such as camera tripods, is available.

Cold room

The cold room will be used for short-term storage of samples in a controlled temperature of 4°C.

Freezers and refrigerators

The freezers and refrigerators serve as a long term specimen bank for the station. Researchers are also able to use this space as controlled short-term storage for their samples. The temperature will be controlled at -20°C.

Teaching laboratory

The lab provides a space for teaching science and laboratory techniques. Students or members of the community/locals can learn or teach about topics such as the local north climate ecosystem. During peak season, the lab can be used for additional wet laboratory or preparation space by scientists.

Reference collection

The reference collection supports the teaching lab and will have samples of insects, plants, creatures, etc. found in the Arctic ecosystem. Some samples will be fixed in formaldehyde and stored in diluted ethanol in ventilated cabinets. There is a mix of specimen cabinets, herbarium, and high density storages cabinets for dry specimens.

Kitchen

The kitchen provides food services for workers, community members, and visitors. It includes a working area for preparation, cooking and serving food, dishwashing facilities and contains an office, as well as cold and dry storage space.

General analytical lab

This is the general science laboratory. Its use will be determined by the researchers and scientists that are in the station at any given time.

Computer GIS

This lab will support computing functions such as GIS (geographic information system), mapping, plotting, and computation-intensive analysis for the organization to archive and manage data. The lab has multiple work stations that can be used independently or in groups.

Growth chamber

This chamber will allow scientists to better study various types of vegetation and insects in a controlled environment. In this lab scientists are also able to conduct CO2 enrichment experiments. There will be pre-manufactured growth chambers in the lab.

Genomics lab

This lab provides the space and tools needed for experiments requiring isolation and those which possess the potential dangers of contamination.

Maintenance garage

This garage will provide an area to maintain and repair equipment and building systems. (However, road vehicles such as pick-ups will be repaired in Cambridge Bay, outside of the station.) The maintenance workshop has an overhead travelling bridge crane.

Equipment storage

Science and technology equipment, vehicles, dry goods and consumables can be stored in spaces that are temperature controlled (4°C minimum) or unconditioned.

Wood workshop

This workshop serves as a space for building crates for shipping, support for field science, furniture repair, etc. The shop contains higher space to work with larger pieces of wood on one side and mezzanine type racking on the other side to store wood.

Diving facility

This facility allows field workers to prepare necessary equipment such as wet suits, dive tanks, and marine exploration equipment. After returning from the field, workers can rinse, dry, and store their diving equipment; refill scuba tanks with compressed air; and repair any broken equipment with the diving support facility (i.e. dive shop).

Rock processing

This small lab is designed for cutting, grinding, and processing rock samples.

Compost room

This room is placed directly below compost toilets and used to collect composting material which will be removed to the landfill or municipal sewage system.

Marshalling/staging area

This is the first room field workers enter when returning from the field and allows them to clean their tents and let equipment dry (before storing). It is a big open space with minimal heating.

Rough overflow space

As part of the maintenance/field building, the rough overflow space will allow scientists to start processing scientific material from the field. They can divide their samples here before transporting them into the station's labs. This space will be used mainly during peak summer-season.