Designing the next-gen research vessel for the British Antarctic Survey to operate in one of the most extreme & coldest environments on the planet - the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
Built for the harshest conditions.
Ready for what’s next.
Designing a research vessel for Antarctica isn’t just an engineering challenge.
It’s a question of how science, sustainability and real-world operation come together in one ship.
That was the brief for the RRS Sir David Attenborough - a next-generation vessel for the British Antarctic Survey.
Houlder was brought in from the outset.
Working closely with scientists and operators, we designed a vessel that combined multiple roles - research, logistics and resupply - into a single, highly efficient ship. Fewer vessels required. Less fuel used. Greater research capability.
From there, we ensured the vision could be brought to life in the real world.
Through the tender process, we translated complex requirements into something shipyards could confidently build, securing strong, viable bids and keeping the project on track. During construction, we acted as the owner’s representative, overseeing build quality and coordinating global suppliers.
