Disaster resilient architecture is not just a strategy but a necessity marked by the increasingly frequent and intense natural calamities. It emerges with features concerning climatic responsive architecture that prioritizes architectural design with the safety and well-being of occupants in a structure capable of withstanding the harsh forces of natural disasters. 

Owing to the unpredictability of natural disasters causing devastating effects on people and urban environments, resilient architecture is introduced. Disaster resistant building design helps to minimize the impact caused on the people and surroundings.

The article further explores designs and sustainable practices enhanced by various architectural and structural systems that help mitigate disaster impacts, ensuring the safety of occupants.

Best practices for disaster resilient architecture involve : 

• Consider regions according to specifications 
• Expert advice from professionals in various fields like geology, engineering, meteorology, etc.
• Resonate to flexibility and adaptability 
• Use of strong, resilient, and durable materials
• Proper site study and research 
• Building hazard assessment 
• Incorporation of redundant systems 
• Best use of technological advancements 
• Socio-communal approach and integration 

Earthquake resistant architecture 

The most reliable building characteristics of an earthquake-resistant structure are stiffness, strength, and ductility. The building design should be in a way that allows the transfer or sharing of the loads with the structural foundation so that it doesn’t crumble. 

Architects and engineers have crafted a set of principles for a strong earthquake resistant architecture. Through a strong foundation of reinforced materials, the skeleton of the building is strengthened. After which the building is carefully shaped considering a well-designed framework, further installed with shock absorbers and dampers.

The magnificent Burj Khalifa in Dubai is simply an iconic superstructure that is a standing architectural marvel with advanced structural systems designed to withstand high-magnitude earthquakes. With the help of its well-connected internal structure and mechanical floors, it stands resistant.

Standing undamaged even after the Loma Prieta earthquake, the Transamerica Pyramid is equipped with a 52ft deep foundation made of steel and concrete to move with seismic loads. The building stands resistant with the help of unique truss systems and a rigid structural system.

Amphibious Architecture

The recent floods and catastrophic landslides in Kerala extremely impacted the state by washing out villages, causing deaths and many casualties. 

Flood resilient construction is a design and building approach that minimizes the impact of flooding on people and property. It’s increasingly crucial due to unexpected climate change and rising sea levels. Three main factors to study before construction are land topography, floodwater level, and soil study. 

Also called amphibious architecture, it benefits by minimising the damage caused to the property and the occupants. The foundation of flood resilience lies primarily in its foundation. After constructing a rigid skeleton, it is further insulated and provided with a protective barrier and strategically designed interiors.

Innovations in flood-resilient construction

While the use of floodproof materials, raised floors and roads, and the construction of a buoyant foundation that holds the building frame together have already developed as constructive solutions, there are additional innovations to flood-resilient construction like:

• Modular & Prefab Construction: Modular prefabricated homes with special vents, raised floors, waterproof materials, etc., are manufactured off-site and later transported and assembled in the required location. The structures are designed with practicality, to be raised above water levels with the help of concrete platforms/plinths or even helical piles. With the help of its quick assembly and flexible design, it allows for fast repairs, rebuilding and customization. 

• Green Infrastructure And Natural Flood Management: The incorporation of green infrastructures helps in minimizing natural flooding. The addition of rain gardens and bioswales reduces surface runoff while absorbing rainwater. Wetland restoration helps in minimizing the impact of natural spillovers. Green roofs capture rainwater and provide additional water storage and insulation. 

• Smart Flood Monitoring And Alert Systems: With all the advanced technological developments, incorporating innovative and smart technology like flood sensors of real-time data would cause lesser impacts.

• FlexMac DT: It is a multicellular flood barrier protective structure made of double-twisted hexagonal wire mesh, further reinforced with vertical steel rods, internally lined with a non-woven geotextile sleeve and filled with local material in situ. Used in the Flood Emergency Response Project in Nicolet, Quebec, Canada, it has proven to be an effective solution. 

The notable LIFT House in Dhaka designed by Prithula Prosun is an innovative and sustainable solution for economic flood-resistant housing in Dhaka. LIFT stands for Low Income Flood-Proof Technology, which helps to float the house when water levels are rising and then bring it back to the ground level when it settles. With the help of Ferro-cement and bamboo frames, this house achieves buoyancy.

Designed by Studio Peek Ancona, a Californian flood-proof beach house is made to withstand storm surges to 12ft high. Standing on a rebar-reinforced foundation, held with steel-concrete columns, this metal unit has been constructed smartly, where the ground floor garage would detach from the foundation and float in case of a flood. Even the staircase is set perpendicular to the ocean so the rising waters would flow along instead of against them.

Climatic Responsive Architecture

Climate resilient buildings encompass features of earthquake-resistant architecture, flood-resilient architecture and more. While the main components to study are the building orientation and site selection, the in-depth study of climate-responsive architecture is necessary. 

Some design strategies for climate change and resilient architectural design are: 

• Passive design
• Stormwater management 
• Engineered solutions 
• Flexible space planning
• Renewables
• Microgrids 

Emergency preparedness strategies for architects

Emergency preparedness in architecture is the architectural response regarding building design to a situation in the environment or humanity that needs to be controlled immediately. It mainly consists of five key points: 

• Prevention: Prior proactive measures taken before construction, to comply with building codes and regulations to ensure structural integrity and land use planning.?

• Mitigation: Incorporate required strategic materials to reduce impact, while mapping out risks and hazards. Develop evacuation plans and procedures. Learn and involve communities in exit plans. 

• Preparedness: Plan and prepare for the massive impacts by setting out evacuation and communication plans, and stocking up essential supplies.

• Response: Take immediate action if a disaster occurs. Provision of an emergency shelter and aid should be done, while also taking care of yourself first. 

• Recovery: Rebuilding and restoring a community after a disaster with the help of temporary structures, economic recovery plans, and providing psychological support to those in need. 

It mainly involves a proactive design approach that integrates disaster resilience in every phase including site studies, selection of materials, etc. Architects play a crucial role in planning and strategically developing evacuation plans, emergency shelters, repurposed furnishings, etc.

A well-planned disaster-resilient structure is not just saving the urban environment and town but also many lives. The design should be a transformative, holistic, sustainable, and collaborative approach to resilient building design and construction while abiding by all necessary government codes and regulations.

Sources

• https://www.google.com/url?q=https://adkinstruments.in/products/flood-sensor-alarm&usg=AOvVaw1jV-mxIn0-okjGYBDFIo56&cs=1&hl=en-US
• https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ikigaiconsulting.com/insights/design-strategies-for-resilient-buildings&usg=AOvVaw0iJhIXV6rCSAWJiw2j59GL&cs=1&hl=en-US
• https://www.google.com/url?q=https://interestingengineering.com/lists/top-5-earthquake-resistant-structures-around-world&usg=AOvVaw3RiWebNH_HnkwvBErWKkq9&cs=1&hl=en-US
• www.maccaferri.com
• https://www.worldconstructiontoday.com/news