10 Solutions for Climate-Resilient Architecture
As environmental change continues to accelerate, architects and builders in cities and communities around the globe are beginning to consider how to make new and existing structures more resilient to extreme weather events like storms, floods and fires. Globally, investing in stronger structures can save trillions of dollars in damages, according to the UN.
From green spaces to smart building positioning, here are ten ways we can work to create structures that will withstand weather events, and stand the test of time. Keep in mind that the solutions will vary depending on the weather patterns, landscape and geographical surroundings of each specific area.
Retrofitting
Optimizing and upgrading currently existing structures is the fastest and most cost-efficient way to make buildings more resistant to the challenges of environmental change. Retrofits can involve a range of modifications, from relatively simple updates like adding weatherstripping around doors and windows, to more complex alterations such as replacing roofs and windows with stronger materials. Other strategies include adding insulation, improving ventilation, and upgrading HVAC systems to better control indoor temperature and humidity levels.
Resistant Materials
An array of new innovations and technologies are emerging to make buildings more resilient to the effects of environmental change. Aerogel, a highly insulating material, can help keep structures cooler in hot weather and warmer during colder periods, while self-healing concrete can repair itself after cracks form, helping to prevent water intrusion and other types of damage.
Building Positioning
When it comes to new builds, where to place a structure is almost as important as how to build it. Factors like wind direction, potential flooding, and wildfire risk in the specific region should be assessed from the outset. By understanding these elements, architects can create designs that minimize exposure to potential damage. Buildings can also be set up to optimize the area’s weather patterns and landscape. For example, a building could be faced so that it captures winds and encourages breezes to come indoors.
Plants and Greenery
Trees and vegetation are a fabulous natural solution for providing shade and reducing the amount of heat that is absorbed by a building. Greenery can act as a natural air conditioner indoors—reducing energy consumption—and help to absorb and filter rainwater, reducing the risk of flooding.
Integrating plants into the design of a building through green roofs and walls, as well as landscaping and vegetation can also provide shade, reduce heat absorption, improve air quality and provide habitats for local wildlife.
Choosing plants that are adapted to the local environment can help to ensure that they thrive and require less maintenance. It’s also important to think about the water needs of the vegetation and incorporate sustainable water management strategies, such as rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation.
Maximizing Mother Nature
Increasing the amount of green space in an area, which was done in Zhengzhou, China, can help to absorb excess water during periods of heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding. When applied on a city scale, this concept, dubbed a “sponge city,” uses a combination of green roofs, green walls, permeable pavement, and other green infrastructure to absorb and manage excess water. In Zhengzhou, this approach has helped to prevent flooding and reduce the strain on sewage systems, while also improving water quality and creating more green spaces for residents to enjoy.
In coastal areas that are vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges, communities rely on mangroves as an important natural climate-resistant solution. These are salt-tolerant trees that grow in coastal wetlands and help to protect shorelines from erosion and damage from storms. The dense root systems of mangroves can also help to trap sediment and build up land, creating a natural barrier against rising waters.
Water Management
Implementing a smart water capture strategy at the design and build stage will make rainwater use easier later on. Rain gardens, for instance, can be used to capture rainwater and allow it to slowly seep into the ground, reducing the risk of flooding. Similarly, permeable pavements can be used to allow water to soak into the ground, reducing the amount of runoff and preventing erosion.
Restorative Architecture
Along with these physical modifications, architects are also exploring new approaches to climate-resilient design that take a more holistic approach to building sustainability. Restorative architecture, for instance, focuses on creating buildings that have a positive impact on the environment. This involves using sustainable building materials, incorporating green spaces into building designs, and designing buildings to generate their own energy through the use of solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy sources.
Adaptable Structures
Environmental change is an ongoing story, so it’s prudent to design buildings with changeable features such as flexible floor plans and modular designs that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing weather patterns. This type of adaptability can help ensure that buildings remain functional and safe even as climate conditions evolve.
Stronger Structures
To prevent and mitigate the destruction caused by extreme weather events, communities can adopt a range of strategies including building round-shaped houses, which have been shown to be more aerodynamic and better able to withstand high winds. Structures can also be situated for optimum aerodynamic orientation to reduce the strength of the winds. Strong foundations and walls, reinforced roofs and windows, as well as storm shutters and hurricane straps can also help prevent damage to the structure in the event of a storm.
Roofs with strong connections between the foundation and the roof are essential, as are roofs with multiple slopes which distribute the force of the wind more evenly across the top of the structure. Installing central shafts can also help to reduce wind force and pressure on the roof by sucking air in from outside.
Roofs specifically designed to break during strong winds can be added over balconies or patios as a preventative measure. Known as “frangible architecture” or the "planning for damage" approach, this can help to prevent structural damage to the more essential areas of the home.
Location-Specific Risk Analysis
With varying geographical landscapes, weather patterns and community needs, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to climate-resilient architecture. Specific adaptation methods will vary depending on the building's location, usage, and other factors. For example, a building in a coastal area may require different strategies than a building in a dry, arid climate.
Some examples of climate adaptation methods include passive ventilation to prevent overheating, expanded water storage to prepare for periods of drought, off-grid back-up power to maintain functionality during power outages, and flood risk mitigation to protect against rising waters. But a thorough risk analysis must first be conducted to identify the specific risks and challenges facing a particular building or location and tailor the adaptation strategies accordingly.
The Takeaway
By incorporating a range of climate adaptation strategies into the design of a building, architects can help to create more resilient structures that are better able to withstand the impacts of environmental change. If you’re interested in connecting with architects or construction suppliers that specialize in climate-resistant architecture, visit Intengine.com to browse, filter and search the world’s largest directory of sustainable businesses.
Tags: climate, climate-resilient, architecture, building industry, construction