Sen[city]sation
Sebastian Haug’s proposal examines meteorological effects on urban spaces to explore the intersection of nature and architecture. His deep personal interest in the impact of atmospheric changes has driven him to recognize the need for sophisticated methods capable of measuring and adapting to the weather.
“There are currently not enough practical options to measure the impact of weather on landscapes and open spaces in urban areas. Classic rainwater and urban heat systems merely take simple measurements.”
Haug calls for the development of a “meteoton.” Sen[city]sation will examine meteorological effects under a range of conditions and at various times of day, mapping variables to visualize weather’s impact. He will examine four types of built environments, examining each one through a range of criteria: Meteotools track ventilation, circulation, evaporation and more; meteotypes include temperature, humidity, light, and moisture; and immanent factors capture vitality, visuality, and dynamism. His proposal highlights the need for increased meteorological measures to capture the relationship between infrastructure, vegetation, and meteotypes.
Sen[city]sation links human perception of atmospheric phenomena to the idea of the Anthropocene: the era in which human activity is understood as the dominant influence on our climate and environment. The project will investigate the unique ways in which Berlin’s parks and courtyards respond to changes in weather.
Haug has dedicated much of his academic career to the study of weatherscapes, building a broad knowledge of meteorological typologies in the context of design processes. As part of his project Verwehungen: Parkwind + Drifts (2016), he created architectural walkways and seating areas to transform how air currents affected park users.
Sebastian Haug is a landscape architect based in Berlin.
Images: Sebastian Haug, Skalgubbar