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Kirsten Davis

Year 2 MArch


Letting the Rain In: The Climate Conference Room

Ferrel Periphery

The Jet Stream Archives

South Uist Hills, The Outer Hebrides



Arctic amplification, which is linked to the weakening and fragmentation of the polar jet stream, has resulted in the occurrence of more frequent stationary high-pressure weather systems. These systems are responsible for extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and frosts.

The Outer Hebrides, located at the most North-Westerly point in the UK, are directly exposed to the harsh fronts of the polar jet stream. Throughout history, this region has experienced some of the most extreme pressure recordings in the country. The local community's way of life is deeply intertwined with the weather, extending beyond mere physical experience to encompass local customs and a profound attachment to the land. Recognizing this complex relationship, the development of an architecture that is both resilient and responsive to climate is guided.

Located at the periphery of the Ferrel Cell, the Jet Stream Archives will serve as a facility for climate forecasting, adaptation planning, and political stratification. The proposal aims to communicate both long-term climate patterns through data representation and the potential impact of global warming on localised, short-term weather systems. Drawing inspiration from Hebridean Neolithic stone circles, the building features plinths made of gneiss rock, which are cut to size based on pressure recordings using traditional, local skills. Additionally, kinetic elements of the building engage with ground-level weather conditions to enhance the tangible experience of the jet stream.


Social Media / Portfolio :
https://www.instagram.com/kirsten__archi/
https://issuu.com/kirsten_davis




Jet Stream Overhead: Storm Ciara Climate Map The Cyclone, Anti-Cyclone and the Jet Stream Between


Kinetic Mechanisms of the Spirograph Drawing Device Weather Recordings by the Spirograph Drawing Device Transcribing the Skies of the Outer Hebrides


Approach to the wind tunnels, with a vector field simulation of low pressure conditions. First Floor Plan: The Jet Stream Archives Section through the built form, of the air and a graph of wind and pressure Decades of climate data for Uist to be etched into the stone archives Wicker shelters the stair that climbs the stone archives.



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