We have living models for buildings that have been standing for hundreds, sometimes thousands of years. It’s hard to argue that these aren’t the best examples of resilient architecture for us to learn from.
The question is: What is it that has made them durable to withstand the effects of elements, disasters, cultural shifts, conflicts, politics, economics, wear-and-tear and more?
The next question then becomes: How do we as designers create buildings that emulate this level of resiliency?
A stone building isn’t flexible or adaptable at all, really. You can add to it, or make openings bigger using steel reinforcements, but moving walls isn’t easy. Nevertheless, these are proven to be some of the most resilient structures we have built.
Resilient architecture, as a concept, refers to the design of buildings and structures that can withstand and adapt to changing cultural conditions, the natural elements, and potential disasters.
These designs account for extreme weather conditions, seismic activity, and other potential disruptions. The approach also considers how buildings can recover and continue serving their purpose after damage or stress, offering both protection and durability that lasts into the future.
Why Resilient Architecture?
Resilient architecture is, by definition, architecture that lasts; that holds up to expected and unexpected conditions.
Why is this important?
It used to be self evident that when you went to the trouble of building a building, you wanted it to last as long as possible. It wasn’t easy to build. Materials were labor intensive to produce. We didn’t travel and move our lives and our families as far or as often as we do today. It only made sense to make buildings we could pass down through the generations.
Buildings are about as permanent of a endeavor that we take part in. But in the last century, this attitude toward our buildings and our cities has changed. For a variety of reasons, we are now building buildings the most of which will not last much beyond several decades.
Economics have changed. Materials have changed. Lifestyles have changed. We move every few years. We don’t put much care into what happens to a building beyond the small window we live there.
As architects, we argue that we should care. Stronger buildings build stronger communities. They tend to be healthier and contribute to a healthier culture. They create lasting value, economically and culturally. While constantly making new buildings might spark the immediate economy, building durable, beautiful and resilient architecture is an investment in the future. And this commitment to quality results in a richer, more vibrant community today.
Understanding Resilient Architecture
Back to our initial question: What is it about historic buildings that has made them withstand centuries of life?
‘They don’t make ‘em like they used to,’ they say. But why is that? We have machines, energy, fuel, electricity, technology, advanced metals, science. You’d think it would be possible to make things that are vastly more durable and resilient than what was able to be shaped with hand tools 500 or 2000 years ago.
Let’s look at what they were doing differently back then compared to how we are building today.
First off, construction was simpler. Materials were limited largely to what was available within their local region. Techniques were proven and tested. There was an incentive to copy what was working and discard what wasn’t working.
We discussed the concept of architecture as a ‘Living Tradition’ in our article on traditional design. Essentially, the living tradition meant that architecture was constantly evolving and learning from trial and experiment, building on thousands of years of knowledge and passing it down to the next generation. Following this ideology would allow architecture to fold-in new technology, materials and developments with traditional, time-tested details.
Unfortunately, over the last century, it hasn’t played out this way. The combination of modernist philosophy with an over-excitement for new technology has caused much traditional wisdom about architecture and details to be discarded as frivolous or simply ‘ornamentation.’
The quest for resilient architecture starts by re-embracing it as a Living Tradition.
From there we can study how materials were used and how they have changed. We can look at how we designed details to protect against rain, wind, water, snow, temperature fluctuations, sun. We can analyze what worked, and why, and implement strategies that meet our goals.
Modern Building Science has made great strides in the past several decades to understand and advance climate optimized construction methods. When implemented through the lens of the Living Tradition, the resulting construction can be lasting and timeless.
Resilient Architecture: It Starts With a Goal
When setting the goal of building resilient architecture, we need to first prepare for the known conditions. If we can’t hold up to normal conditions, the changes of the seasons, annual weather events, there isn’t much use looking towards ten-year storms, hundred-year events, or altogether unpredictable events. We have to understand and take care of the basics.
If you are in an area that is prone to flooding, how does this affect how you design your foundation? Do you build your main floor so that it is elevated from the ground? How do you choose your site? Do you have extra sump-pumps with backup power supply?
If you are in an area that experiences tornadoes, do you build from brick, stone or concrete instead of wood?
If you have hurricanes, do you build on stilts? Hurricane straps for your roof and impact resistant windows are likely required by code. What is the next level of resilience that brings you comfort and peace of mind?
Apply these questions to heat, deep winter, driving rain, fires, water table and you’re on your way to a more resilient design.
Wherever you are building, the intention do build something that goes above and beyond standard construction is the first goal in your resilient project.
This approach plans an extended life cycle of a building, from construction to operation and maintenance. How does your building and it’s systems hold up?
Importantly though, resilient architecture is not just about surviving natural elements and potential disasters but also about thriving in all conditions. If you love a building, if it promotes your health and wellbeing, your relationships with friends, family and community, you are more likely to take care of it. A windowless concrete bunker might be resilient to many things, but it isn’t likely to enhance your life or bring you joy.
Adaptability: Myth or Reality
Many articles list adaptability and flexibility as a main driver for resiliency. This idea sounds nice in theory: A building where you can move the walls around and shift things all over the place could save money and effort if a cultural shift dictates that a building needs to be used for a different purpose.
In reality, this is nearly impossible to conceive. The future is impossible to predict. Going to great lengths to make modular or flexible buildings is unlikely to prepare them for the right changes.
On the other hand, if you build them well and make them beautiful, people will find a way to adapt them when they need to.
Could we have predicted that lower Manhattan factory buildings and meat-processing facilities would become highly desirable retail and loft spaces? Not likely.
Would it have made a difference if we had? Probably not. In fact, designing them with a bunch of moveable, ‘adaptable’ gimmicks might have made them less desirable for the use they turned in to.
Stone buildings are not flexible at all, and yet we’ve seen European stone buildings transform through many uses, cultural, lifestyle and societal shifts over the centuries they’ve been standing.
This isn’t to say that there is no value in the intellectual exercise of designing for adaptability. But quality and timelessness has an innate resiliency.
Design for disassembly is another concept in this category that is worth considering. This is less about adaptability, but instead focuses on the ability to move or reuse pieces of a building or furniture without damaging them in the process. Using design principles, mechanical fasteners (screws) instead of glue, and so on lets you think about how to reuse or reconfigure the pieces as you need to.
Principles of Resilient Architecture
There are several principles that guide the design of Resilient Architecture.
Structure’s ability to adapt and endure under various conditions. These principles focus on sustainability, adaptability, and durability to create spaces that withstand challenges while maintaining their core functions.
- Materials and Durability: Using high-quality, long-lasting materials that can endure harsh weather conditions, wear, and environmental stress. It’s worth noting that this selection takes some consideration. For example, steel-reinforced concrete is durable to withstand heavy wind, but can be subject to cracking in cold climates when water is absorbed and freezes inside, or prone to failure in a marine environment where salty air corrodes the steel. Wood may not be as durable as masonry in most ways, but, if designed properly, the fact it is less rigid has advantages in areas where seismic is a concern.
- Design and Quality: Great design inherently lasts longer. This isn’t to be confused with trendy design. Timeless design and quality building will bring a high return on your investment.
Human Scale: Scale and proportion at the human level is proven to be a driver of resiliency and adaptability. The Manhattan loft buildings we mentioned have been resilient to change partially because of beautiful design and detail, large windows and ceiling heights, but also because of their scale. The size of the spaces has transformed nicely from industrial use to retail and residential. Skyscrapers and office buildings have been shown to lack resiliency and adaptability because their height and size doesn’t work well for other uses, even when we have found ourselves with a surplus of office space and a shortage of housing. Many urbanists argue that buildings should be built to a maximum of five stories. This allows for not only a welcoming street experience, but also allows the buildings to function without an elevator, if necessary. London, Paris, Rome and many European cities were built to this scale and have shown resiliency to all kinds of factors. - Time-tested Details: All of your decisions for proportion, design, quality and materials aren’t worth much if you don’t get the details right. Our study of architecture as a Living Tradition helps us understand tried and true ways to withstand the elements. This is important at every joint, seam, opening, connection where wind and water will find their way in if they can.
- Adaptability: As mentioned before, this can be a rewarding intellectual exercise, but given that the future is impossible to predict, it might be better to spend energy and budget on great design, quality construction and long lasting materials.
- Redundancy: Implementing backup systems and fail-safes, such as secondary power sources, helps protect both you and your building during outages and emergencies. This ‘belt and suspenders’ is also useful when designing your weatherproofing details.
- Low-tech Solutions: Technology is great, but when it comes to long-term resiliency, it isn’t always the best answer. High-tech devices tend to become obsolete, wear out or fail more quickly than low-tech solutions.
- Energy Independence: Incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, can be nice. But as we saw when record freezing came through Texas in 2021, a generator and a well-stocked wood pile would have been much more useful in keeping you warm. Redundancy is beneficial here if your budget allows for it.
- Disaster Preparedness: Planning for natural disasters is wise. Building codes for your area will take care of you to some extent, but going above and beyond will give you peace of mind and give your building longer-term resiliency. Earthquakes can be designed for, with intelligent engineering. Measures can be taken to prepare you for hurricanes and tornadoes. There isn’t much that you can do architecturally to project you against flooding other that choose a site above the flood zone. Nevertheless integrating protective measures like reinforced structures and drainage systems, backup power and water supply and spaces for emergency food storage are all worth consideration.
Integrating Resilient Infrastructure
Resilient architecture goes hand-in-hand with resilient infrastructure. Ideally, buildings and their supporting systems work cohesively to withstand disruptions. Integrating resilient infrastructure involves designing and constructing essential systems—such as transportation, water, energy, and communications networks—that can continue to function during and after extreme events.
Obviously, it’s impossible to prepare for the unknown, and as we have seen, systems are rarely perfect when put to the test. But without resilient design in mind, extreme events could be much worse.
Design at the building level needs to work with design at the community level, which in turn needs to connect to the systems designed into the greater area.
Key strategies for integrating resilient infrastructure include:
- Decentralized Energy Systems: The ability to generate energy locally can reduce the impact if a larger, centralized facility, or its distribution network, goes down. Solar and wind power may be helpful in perfect conditions, but tend not to be of much use in critical situations. But a variety of smaller, localized systems is inherently less fragile than one central system.
- Stormwater Management: Concrete, asphalt and grass lawns aren’t good at absorbing water, leading to issues during heavy rainfall. Designing effective drainage systems and permeable surfaces helps manage excess water during heavy rains, reducing the risk of flooding and water damage.
- Seismic and Wind Resistance: Reinforcing structures and using advanced engineering techniques ensures that buildings can endure earthquakes, high winds, and other natural forces.
- Advanced Monitoring: Technology and advanced data analysis can help assess risk factors, allowing response units to mobilize more quickly, or even pre-deploy, arriving at the scene in time to control the issue before it becomes widespread.
- Redundant Networks: Establishing backup systems for power, water, and communications provides continuity of essential services, preventing catastrophic failures during disasters. Backup systems such as power generators installed by the individual homeowner, or by the local community can help mitigate against reliance on central systems in emergency situations.
By integrating these resilient infrastructure elements into architectural design, buildings are better equipped to remain operational and safe, even in the face of extreme challenges. This holistic approach strengthens the overall resilience of urban and rural environments.
Green Building Practices in Resilient Architecture
Green building practices are, by our definition, better building practices. This means buildings are built with more solid, more durable materials, high-performance building assemblies, and that incorporate climate appropriate strategies for passive heating and cooling. This makes them better able to resist extreme conditions, in addition to being less reliant on energy inputs.
Other principles of Green Building and Wellness Architecture that encourage on-site food production, preservation and storage, as well as water collection, also benefit the overall resiliency of your home.
Discover a Pathway Toward Resilient Design
Resilient design involves a thoughtful approach to architecture that is able to study and learn from history, assimilate new ideas and technologies, and look ahead to the future. This pathway requires a deep understanding of local environmental conditions and the potential for future disruptions, guiding design choices towards architecture with the best chance of holding up for the long term.
The first step in resilient design is recognizing the importance of site-specific solutions. Each project must take into account its unique geographic and climatic context, from flood-prone areas to earthquake zones. Collaboration between architects, engineers, and urban planners is key to integrating resilient features into both individual structures and broader community systems.
Innovative materials, time-tested details, high-performance technologies, and careful building practices form the foundation of resilient design. However, the value of good design can’t be overlooked. A beautiful, well-proportioned, elegant building will be loved and taken care of, while a building that is chasing a fad, trying to look ‘cool’, or that is over-reliant on technology risks becoming quickly obsolete and falling into disrepair.
