arium: weather + architecture

a guidebook to weather and architecture, examining the relationship between the atmosphere, built environment, culture, and politics.

content under the editing direction of german architect jürgen mayer h. and the canadian urban designer neeraj bhatia, ‘arium: weather + architecture’ offers an extensive look at our current understanding of weather through examinations of architecture and design. initially a research project, this guidebook reflects on the longstanding relationship between these various disciplines, providing examples where architecture has worked well with or lacked foresight over the impact of weather patterns. this book departs from the historic understanding that architecture was born out of the intention to protect and separate ourselves from exterior climate. instead, it re-evaluates the rivaling relationship between these two fields, and investigates ways in which weather patterns can be integrated or even supplement today’s architectural processes.

inside the hardcover book, the chapters are subdivided into three sections. the first is an extensive investigation into a whole series of historical topics regarding weather, published under such themes as ‘weather and shopping’, ‘weather and media’, and ‘weather and tourism’. the second section titled ‘the weather forecast’ offers insights on how the cultural phenomenon of climate change has affected our architecture processes. this is done through a series of architectural design proposals, each providing a case study on the potential cross pollination between architectural and climatic worlds, thus, forecasting a future where the dividing line between the interior and exterior environments is blurred. finally, the third section titled ‘weather outlook’ is a collection of essays prepared by critics, weather design experts, and ‘ariumnauts’ such as george baird, rodolphe el-khoury and robert levit amongst many others. each contributing article examines the contemporary design discourse of weather, presenting a diversity of viewpoints ranging from the poetic, historic to the technical.

is it for me? arium is a comprehensive overview of what is arguably one of the most important topics affecting human existence. the information is presented in a succinct and clear manner with little scientific language to obscure the complexity of the content, the research is thorough and extensive, ranging from a very historical view of climate to a more contemporary insight of our architectural processes. this book, supplemented well with examples and diagrams is a solid resource for those seeking to understand the symbiotic relationship that exists between weather, design and architecture.

the global climate related illnesses, world map indicating the prevalence of climate related health issues

heat, cold, dryness and humidity, primary atmospheric conditions and their effects on health comparative analysis to seasonal ideals and its threats

manufacturing an urban beach

detail of urban beach

detail of urban beach

weather house, morphology of house is defined by prevailing winds left:march weather, composite timeline drawing right: may weather, composite timeline drawing

forms of inhabitation, fog pods

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