Transcribing the Skies of the Outer Hebrides

The apparatus was designed to be parametric, in the way that it kinetically responds to the three conditions explored:

Wind Speed - x axis linear motion

Atmospheric Pressure - y axis linear motion

Time - Rotary motion https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SMadjCjujvnRTTJD6tQqmFncWdWUR nR-?usp=sharing

Using three arms, along with gears, levers and drawing apparatus, a spirograph pattern is produced - a climate plot - true to actual weather data sourced from grasshopper’s “ladybug tools”.

04. Site and Spatial Investigations

Discerning a site based on geographic thresholds and intersections

The Outer Hebrides have historically experienced some of the most extreme recordings of atmospheric pressure in the UK. At the most North-Westerly location in the UK, the islands are closest to the threshold between the Polar Cell and Ferrel Cell, with a boundary that fluctuates between 50 and 60o Moreover they are subject to the more frequent, Westerly fronts of strong Jet Stream Winds.

Zooming into the islands, the varied topography brings about stronger ground level winds, and the Isle of South Uist sees a rich landscape, popular hiking route and is dotted with communications systems and environmental monitoring equipment.

Double-walled, drystone towers from the Iron Age built as defensive structures and farmhouses. They provided protection from the stormy conditions of Atlantic Scotland; galleries within the walls shielded central rooms from the wet weather and voids retained the heat from the fire. A conical form was achieved by corbelling dry stones, and the cavities were wide enough to be occupied; even staircases would fit between. Those that remain climb as tall as 13m.

Prehistoric monuments consisting of standing stones in a circular arrangement. Their purpose is unknown, though they are speculated to have had religious, or social significance. Studies on their solar shading patterns imply their potential former use as an astronomical observatory. The Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis range in dimensions of 0.5-5 metres x 0.2-1.8 metres. Their uniformity is a testament to the skilled craftsmen who erected them.

Relatively small, simple shelters built in remote areas, traditionally used by shepherds and forestry workers up in the mountains when they weren’t able to hike back to their settlements before darkness would fall. They are still used now by travellers and outdoor enthusiasts, they are free to use by anyone who needs.

Traditional Hebridean houses with thick stone or turf walls and thatch roofs, that were inhabited up until the early 20th Century. Typically they were built using dry-stone wall construction. The roofs supported by wooden rafters, with a layer of straw and then thatch from local marram or heather grass in the locality, secured in place by netting and stones.