As more extreme weather events resulting from climate change start occurring worldwide, the topic of climate resistance is more critical than ever. Builders and architects must design buildings using new, more modern materials and methods to ensure the safety of occupants if a natural disaster occurs.

What Are Climate-Resistant Buildings?

Climate-resistant architecture is precisely how it sounds — architecture that is resistant to climate and weather. Studies have shown increased natural disasters have caused an estimated $210 billion worth of damages to buildings and infrastructure worldwide. 

Some of this infrastructure is invaluable for daily life, yet many buildings are not designed from the ground up to be climate-resistant. Countries like Turkey and Syria have only recently updated their building codes due to many record-breaking earthquakes. Older buildings made using concrete pillars pancaked, killing hundreds of people.

Designing climate-resistant infrastructure requires designers to consider using 21st-century technology to reinforce every part of a building, from the roof to the foundations. Climate-resistant buildings can also incorporate net-zero designs for more energy efficiency.

10 Things You Need to Design Climate-Resistant Buildings

Designing climate-resistant buildings means using new building technologies and codes to create a modern structure that can withstand any mother nature throws. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

1. Floodproofing

Flooding is one of the most common but devastating natural occurrences for any building. This is because many cities are below sea level, making it a significant concern as global warming and natural disasters cause water levels to rise.

Building the basement or foundation of your building with flood-resistant materials can help minimize the damage to your facility. These materials include:

• Concrete

• Pressure-treated lumber

• Metal

• Polyester epoxy paint

2. Windproofing

Storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes are capable of winds just as destructive as floods. As greenhouse gases increase global temperature, these winds will become stronger annually. Making new buildings more resilient against wind forces and continuously monitoring for damage — like loose or missing shingles or damaged gutters — is essential. Here are some ways to make your structure windproof:

• Roof sheathing attachments

• Gable-end bracing and wall-sheathing

• Roof-to-wall connections

• Stacking tubes

• Blow-through floors and strategic holes

• Spiraling structures

3. Resistant Windows and Doors

Of course, weather and impact-resistant windows and doors will also go a long way to making your building climate-resistant. These windows and doors are reinforced with vinyl, aluminum or treated wood.

4. Dampers

Dampers on buildings make them more resistant to seismic or mechanical forces while protecting the integrity of the structural system. These can take the form of shock-absorbing pistons or friction-based mechanisms.

5. Truss Structures

Truss structures are another building technique that strengthens the roof and upper level of buildings. Modern technology and resources have only improved this tried and tested method.

6. Seawalls and Wave Breakers

Wave breakers and seawalls are tools related to floodproofing. While they are not part of the buildings, wave breakers and seawalls are essential for protecting buildings close to shorelines from potential water damage.

7. Electricity Resilience

When natural disasters occur, buildings often lose power at the height of their destructiveness. This makes energy resilience methods very important for modern-day infrastructure. Investing in a microgrid or renewable energy technologies can help.

8. Wood Construction

While building structures made entirely from wood seems outdated, buildings made from timber are surprisingly resilient and cheaper. Wood buildings have the bonus of being good for the environment.

9. Grey Water Recycling

In addition to being less dependent on outside energy, buildings can also use greywater recycling systems. These systems reduce the amount of water needed for day-to-day needs by recycling it back into use.

10. Eco-Friendly Insulation

Insulation is essential to any building, but most insulation materials are notoriously bad for the environment. Investing in eco-friendly insulation is an excellent way to insulate your home while reducing your building’s carbon footprint.

Climate-Resistant Buildings Are the Future

Building codes worldwide are updating to reflect the danger climate change-induced natural disasters pose. Making climate-resistant buildings from the ground up will be the key to keeping many people safe.

Author: Jane Marsh

Cover image by Sveinn Birkir Björnsson on Unsplash