A WATFORD father of three helped design a scientific research centre that will withstand Antarctic winds of up to 90 miles per hour and temperatures as low as -56C.

Michael Wright, of Dellfield Close, played a pivotal role in the design, visiting the Antarctic to examine the hazardous weather and environmental conditions the building would have to put up with.

With his findings, he helped to produce a structure that would be split into six interconnecting modules and placed on skis helping it survive the deluge of snow that engulfed four of its predecessors.

The skis will allow it to be dragged across the ground, so it can avoid the problems of the current Halley research station, which is close to floating out to sea on an iceberg that has broken off the main icepack.

The new design came first out of 86 entrants in an worldwide competition held by the Royal Institute of British Architects and the British Antarctic Survey.

Michael, who is head of a team of engineers who designed the building, said: "The whole team was elated that we won. It was like winning the World Cup in football."

Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects, the companies responsible for the engineers, were short-listed among five others in October last year before the list was cut to three in December.

Michael, who has been to Antarctica to gain experience of the conditions, said: "We've been working hard on the project since June 2004, so we were confident we stood a good chance.

"It was a difficult job, because finding a way to conveniently shift a 1,000 tonne building is not easy.

"The skis solved this problem, and the mechanical legs will stop it being engulfed in snow."

The new mechanical legs will jack the building upwards every year, helping it survive the one to one-and-a-half metres of snow that fall on the continent every year.

Mr Wright said: "The centre has great facilities and will be the envy of every Antarctic scientist."

It will house a dining room and recreational area for arts and crafts, pool, table tennis and a double height climbing wall in its central module, with a gym, sauna, hydrotherapy bath and music room in adjacent modules.

Construction is expected to begin in 18 months on the 150 metre thick Brunt ice sheaf.

The new building, put together by engineers at Faber Maunsell, will be of world importance in helping to identify trends in climate change and global warming.

Mr Wright gave presentations at Cassiobury Infant School, where his son is a pupil, before he left to investigate Antarctica in December and again after his return in April.

His wife, Danielle, said: "The kids think he's brilliant and our son, James, is very proud."