The extreme isolation and severe Antarctic environment require special design considerations for both buildings and utilities. Above-ground wires, water, sewer, and telephone lines are a necessity because of the frozen ground. The buildings at McMurdo are composed of prefabricated wall panels, which are generally made of aluminum siding over an insulating core of plastic foam and plywood. Windows are double or triple-glazed to decrease heat loss and reduce moisture condensation on the inside. To withstand the near-hurricane force winds, many buildings are anchored to the bedrock by cables.
Huts have low, pitched roofs that are easily cleared of drifting snow.
Some buildings have roof escapes to allow exit and entrance in case regular doorways are clogged by snowdrifts. Because of the extreme cold, liquid fresh water is not readily available in Antarctica. Some research stations melt ice to provide fresh water supplies. Heating coils or a jet stream of water can be directed downwards into the ice, and melted water pumped up as needed. This process requires energy supplied by large amounts of fuel.