Protecting new buildings from extreme weather conditions is more convenient than fixing damage that buildings have. With climate change to consider, it is important for architects to design a sustainable building with a focus on building resiliency. 

As a good example, sustainable architecture should help protect a building from extreme weather and climate events. There are thankfully a number of ways that architecture can be done in a sustainable manner for the best protection against natural disasters. Here are some of the top ones:

Design with Bushfires in Mind

There are plenty of measures that need to be taken when the structure in question is in an area prone to bushfires. It’s important for sprinkler systems and shutters to be in place for these properties. Verandas and decking alike should not be combustible. Needless to say, the materials overall have to be fire-resistant.

Design with Cyclones in Mind

Climate change will certainly make cyclones that have already been pummeling through much worse. Older buildings are weaker than they need to be during these storms, and tropical buildings do not have the reinforcements they should have. We need to learn from the cyclones in the north and refit our structures with a defence.

When it comes to tropical areas, buildings need to be designed for wind loads to be minimised considerably. Waterproof materials are the way to go here.

Design with Floods and Heavy Rainfall in Mind

In order to design a commercial building or house that’s basically floodproof, the materials need to be durable. That way, it can certainly resist seepage as well as flooding. When the property is in an area that’s riverside or coastal, this becomes particularly handy.

Premature flooding can be avoided when going beyond minimum floor levels. Multi-storey construction will go a long way. When there’s a flood, having proper drainage cavities in the walls will help. It’s also important that plumbing at hand has backflow preventers.

The following materials are not water-resistant so don’t count on them: carpets, ceramic tiles, fibreglass, plasterboards, plywoods and vinyl. It can seem surprising that ceramic tiles don’t get the job done, but erosion can be an issue.

Design with Heatwaves in Mind

Climate change has brought on an increasing rise in temperatures. Basically, the world is slowly but surely getting hotter. This means that it’s more important than ever for indoor cooling to be prioritised. Otherwise, there will be an imbalance that will make the problem worse. A good rule of thumb is to have passive design techniques in place, along the lines of:

• Accounting for wind paths
• Capturing natural ventilation
• Considering variations according to the season according to the local area in the sun
• Improving a home’s interior airflow
• Taking a building’s ideal orientation into consideration

Conclusion

Natural disasters can lead to a lot of problems for buildings, especially with climate change. It’s actually much easier to protect new buildings instead of fixing damage that older, already-standing buildings have. Sustainable architecture will go a long way for this, including designing with heatwaves, hurricanes and flooding in mind.

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