In the past, designing for natural disasters was akin to planning for the unexpected. Unfortunately, in the era of climate change, extreme weather events are not a matter of “if” but, rather, a matter of “how often?” With this in mind, designing for forces of nature has emerged as a top priority in contemporary architecture. Keep reading as we explore some of the best strategies and materials for creating climate-resilient buildings.
Passive Design Concepts
In times of extreme weather, it is crucial that energy-efficiency efforts are not derailed. One of the best ways to shield against this risk is by employing passive design concepts.
Using this approach, architects will leverage features of the building site for as much heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation as possible. Some common techniques in passive design include:
Using increased window for improved daylighting
Building the long axis of the building parallel to prevailing wind patterns for natural cooling
Installing architectural louvers into building walls for increased ventilation without allowing moisture or debris into the structure
To further reduce energy consumption in a building during times of extreme weather, opt for heavy duty fans instead of increased A/C production. In addition, choose windows with a low-E glazing to transmit natural light without causing excessive warming during the hottest seasons of the year.
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Hurricane-Grade Storm Windows
As mentioned, sufficient window area is a crucial component of passive design. From natural daylighting to solar heating, there are multiple ways to leverage the sun’s energy to benefit the building.
With that said, too much window area can create potential weakness in the building envelope amid extreme conditions. As such, it is best to source hurricane-grade storm windows to rest assured that the windows will never become compromised.
Fabricated with rugged steel frames and reinforced glass panels, hurricane-grade windows can withstand winds up to 250 MPH and projectile impact up to 100 MPH, increasing the likelihood that the building emerges unscathed following a hurricane, tornado, or any other type of natural disaster.
Sustainable Insulation
Insulation is one of the most important components of designing a building for severe weather. By increasing the R-value of the building envelope, it will reduce the amount that HVAC runs during times of extreme temperature.
When sourcing thermal insulation, it is important to keep embodied energy in mind. If it requires significant energy to fabricate the product, much of its energy efficiency in application is offset. As such, sustainably-sourced insulation products, such as hemp, recycled denim, and sheep’s wool, are gaining popularity for their combination of elite R-value and minimal embodied energy.
Foundation Waterproofing
Nothing can compromise a structure quite like damage to the foundation. As such, it is paramount to protect the foundational walls from increased hydrostatic pressure during periods of heavy precipitation.
Modern foundation waterproofing methods use a self-adhering membrane that forms an airtight barrier against the exterior of the foundation walls. As groundwater reaches the walls, it passes through this membrane and is directed down to a dimple drainage board. It then moves into a subterranean piping system and away from the building, keeping the foundation safe from water damage amid even the heaviest downpours.
Acoustic Wall Panels
Noise mitigation is an increasingly pertinent concern in contemporary design. Not only do modern buildings consist of fewer interior walls to limit noise transfer throughout the interior, but the increased incidence of extreme weather events creates projectile impact that can transfer through exterior walls.
A great option for noise mitigation is to frame the building with insulated concrete forms (ICF). It provides a continuous layer of double insulation that effectively stifles exterior noises from making their way inside. It is also a great idea to consider noise reduction wall panels for the interior.
They can provide a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of up to 0.95 with as little as 15-25% wall coverage. This makes them a low-profile option for adding soundproofing mass to help create a tranquil interior in the most clamorous conditions.
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Fortified Fasteners
In the sustainability-focused built environment, there is a ton of attention on finding energy-efficient building materials. What is interesting is that the fasteners that hold these materials in place often get overlooked. After all, what good is moisture-resistant roofing or next-level insulation if the fasteners holding them in place will break down in the face of extreme conditions?
Prioritize a comprehensively-resilient structure by sourcing screws that don't rust. Whether they be stainless steel, galvanized steel, or zinc-plated options, opt for next-level fasteners that will withstand moisture, humidity, and salt to keep building materials locked in place regardless of the exterior climate.
Source Next-Level Materials When Designing Climate-Resistant Buildings
Extreme weather has become an unfortunate fact of life in the era of climate change. From leveraging passive design concepts to choosing fortified fasteners, consider any of the ideas listed above to create the most climate-resilient buildings possible.