Resilience architecture is garnering more attention as more and more people within the architecture industry come to understand the importance of spreading awareness of these types of industry ventures.
Nature offers all-too-common reminders that the state of the world is precarious at best. In a time when the environment is going through major changes, precipitating real risk in terms of climate change, and following a recent spate of horrific natural disasters, it is important that both the industry and the public are aware of what can be done in some to safeguard buildings and, through this, the people who live and work in them.
The industry has taken on a major responsibility in designing and promoting an ever-increasing number of developments created to withstand the forces of nature. For this reason, resilience architecture is a fast-growing sector, and while any industry developments come with lucrative elements, this particular sector is more about moral ambition than economic gain.
The Australian industry has become leaders in the field, exemplified by architectural firm Woods Bagot’s resilience architecture awareness ‘cocoon’ development in Brisbane. The Philippines have also benefited from this sector, with Architecture for Humanity launching its disaster response program in light of the destruction caused by tropical storm Haikui.
The two-day storm caused significant destruction, with flooding and landslides displacing over a million people in Manila.
A key part of the program will be to divert current urban planning schemes. Currently in the city, a growing number of locals develop housing on the banks of waterways known to swell, putting an entire sector of housing in danger.
Not only will an advanced team of architects, engineers, planners and community members work together to develop flood resistant developments for the Filipino people, they will also endeavour to educate them about the risks involved with living in flood hazardous zones and how they can further safeguard themselves from these events.
The redevelopment team has called on international aid in order to boost rehabilitation efforts over the next five years.
Industry members supporting resilience architecture are now coming to understand that designing and delivering these buildings is not enough. In order to have a completely comprehensive sector, education is key – something that is obviously seriously being considered and undertaken.
