A STEVENSON SCREEN DESIGNED TO MATCH A GIFTED CHINESE PAGODA
A STEVENSON SCREEN DESIGNED TO MATCH A GIFTED CHINESE PAGODA [BOTANIC GARDENS BELFAST]
The Stevenson Screen: A Scientific Splash of Colour
Perched atop a slender pole near not far from the Chinese Pagoda, you will find a small, curiously coloured structure. This is a Stevenson Screen—an essential meteorological instrument shelter. While it has been custom-painted in vibrant red and yellow to harmonise with the nearby pagoda, its purpose is far more than decorative.
What is a Stevenson Screen?
A Stevenson Screen is a standardised enclosure designed to shield sensitive weather-recording instruments from the elements. Its clever design focuses on two main features:
Louvered Sides: The angled slats (louvres) allow air to circulate freely while blocking direct sunlight, driving rain, and radiant heat from the ground.
Precision Measurement: By keeping instruments like thermometers and hygrometers in a ventilated, shaded environment, the screen ensures that "ambient air temperature" is recorded accurately, rather than being skewed by direct solar radiation.
Botanical Tradition & Local Style
Almost every major botanical garden globally maintains a Stevenson Screen. They are vital for monitoring the specific microclimates required to sustain delicate and exotic plant species.
While these screens are traditionally painted white to reflect solar heat, Belfast’s version is a rare exception. By adopting the colours of the Chinese Pagoda—a symbol of Belfast’s sister-city relationship with Hefei, China—the gardens have transformed a functional scientific tool into a playful piece of landscape art. This blending of utility and beauty is a hallmark of the gardens’ Victorian heritage.
The Stevenson Screen: A Scientific Splash of Colour
Perched atop a slender pole near not far from the Chinese Pagoda, you will find a small, curiously coloured structure. This is a Stevenson Screen—an essential meteorological instrument shelter. While it has been custom-painted in vibrant red and yellow to harmonise with the nearby pagoda, its purpose is far more than decorative.
What is a Stevenson Screen?
A Stevenson Screen is a standardised enclosure designed to shield sensitive weather-recording instruments from the elements. Its clever design focuses on two main features:
Louvered Sides: The angled slats (louvres) allow air to circulate freely while blocking direct sunlight, driving rain, and radiant heat from the ground.
Precision Measurement: By keeping instruments like thermometers and hygrometers in a ventilated, shaded environment, the screen ensures that "ambient air temperature" is recorded accurately, rather than being skewed by direct solar radiation.
Botanical Tradition & Local Style
Almost every major botanical garden globally maintains a Stevenson Screen. They are vital for monitoring the specific microclimates required to sustain delicate and exotic plant species.
While these screens are traditionally painted white to reflect solar heat, Belfast’s version is a rare exception. By adopting the colours of the Chinese Pagoda—a symbol of Belfast’s sister-city relationship with Hefei, China—the gardens have transformed a functional scientific tool into a playful piece of landscape art. This blending of utility and beauty is a hallmark of the gardens’ Victorian heritage.
A STEVENSON SCREEN