The Weather Holds

‘The Weather Holds’ is a multi-media showcase by Teston + Zhang that explores atmospheres through physical and digital artifacts. This installation offers a comprehensive view of rigorous explorations of space-making with air and water, as well as imaginary yet grounded designs for the public.

Atmospheric thresholds and territories are made possible through various hyper-local meteorological and biological processes that exploit the material properties of microclimates, such as advection fog (imagine winter fog over a body of water, like the Rouge River), and human physiology. We think of mist as an architectural material and a weather-generated energy field. Zones of thermal contrast, radiant heat, and air exfiltration produce exterior-interiors within an otherwise uninviting public realm, generating closeness, intimacy, and interiority in the plein air. These new interiorities, created by atmospheric vernacular typologies, present both intrinsic and extrinsic challenges that must be explored, enabling contemporary architects to apply these methods at a larger building scale. This exhibition displays Teston + Zhang’s vision and experimentation addressing such challenges with six [6] tangible design products: simulations, milli-fluidic prototypes, DIY drip cooling, thermal drape, and mock-up installations.

The Weather Holds is funded by the UTK CoAD Reagan Seed Grant and the Global Catalyst Grant.