#Ancient #Architecture Might Be Key to Creating Climate-Resilient Buildings

Vernacular architecture is a way to use a region's heritage and resources to build strong homes and cities.

by Angely Mercado

"The United States has braved a year of multiple billion dollar weather disasters over the past couple of years. In 2021 alone, there were record-breaking #heatwaves , a #winterstorm that shut down cities across #Texas, multiple #hurricanes, record-breaking #wildfires, #tornadoes and #hail storms. All of which damaged public and private property and harmed people across the country.

"Part of preparing for even more extreme weather to come as a result of the #ClimateCrisis, is investing in resilient #infrastructure–something the current administration has already proposed. While building infrastructure may sound like a feat fit for futuristic technology, around the world climate-proofing has been happening already for centuries in the form of vernacular architecture. This form of architecture is defined by the use of traditional materials native to that particular region.

"According to a report in Oxford Urbanists, there is a possibility of a resurgence of vernacular architecture. Otherwise known as traditional, cultural design methods unique to a particular region, vernacular architecture is an alternative to the 'international style' of Eurocentric homes that took off globally after the first world war. Throughout the 20th century, 'identical skyscrapers, airports, malls and gas stations became icons of modern cities,' the report points out. However, those structures are not always made with climate change in mind, and don’t rely on locally sourced materials or local #cultural knowledge. Those homes were not made for the entire world’s diverse array of weather events like hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes. Drawing on vernacular architecture could be a way of making our cities more resilient to an ever-changing climate.

"A well-known example of cultural and regional identity through vernacular architecture is #Pueblo architecture. The permanent, attached homes modeled after the cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo (#Anasazi) culture first appeared around the year 1150 AD continue to be used by Pueblo peoples today. A common revival of the style called Santa Fe style, a mix of Pueblo architecture and Spanish colonial architecture, can be found in southwestern states like #Arizona and #NewMexico. Pueblo inspired homes that used dried mud often constructed with locally sourced materials. The thick mud walls are great insulation for both extreme heat and are made to protect residents from especially hot days and from cool desert nights.

"Across similarly sweltering Southern US states, vernacular architecture in the form of shotgun houses feature high ceilings for heat to rise up to, doors that are aligned to improve circulation into the home without costly AC bills.

"In some of the most heat-impacted places on the planet, #vernacular architecture is already being used worldwide in response to climate issues. Architects and designers are not just turning to local materials, they’re turning to #historical design to work around energy needs. Traditional #Arabian techniques like #mashrabiya have been incorporated into iconic modern buildings in Abu Dhabi, a city in one of the most heat-threatened countries in the world. Architects in #Morocco, which is especially vulnerable to climate change, have incorporated vernacular design, like large north-facing windows and smaller south-facing windows to bring in natural light while maximizing air flow for natural cooling and ventilation in public buildings like schools.

"'We wanted to retrieve a sense of heritage, but in a modern way,' Moroccan architect Driss Kettani told CNN. 'We tried to use the same (energy-efficient) solutions found in the small earthen towns in the south of Morocco.'

"These techniques can be used anywhere, even areas of the world with less-obvious climate impacts. Chris Lawson, the managing director at UK-based design firm CK Architectural says that the firm has worked in the #Cotswolds area, which is filled with towns that can source their own building materials. Woods used in the homes can come from local #trees that are already adapted for the English weather, which makes them an ideal building material. Builders are able to excavate the local limestone they need to build homes, a climate-friendly alternative to materials that often have to be transported from elsewhere and weren’t built to withstand the local weather.

"'It was incredibly strong, easy to find, a solid insulator from the Great British weather, and environmentally friendly due to no transportation requirements too,' he explains. 'This can be done across the whole world too.'"

Source:
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/ancient-architecture-might-be-key-to-creating-climate-resilient-buildings?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Honderdduizenden huishoudens in Canada nog steeds zonder stroom na winterstorm

#canada #winterstorm #montreal
https://www.nu.nl/-/6258685/

#storm #winterstorm #snow #winter #wind ❄️

A blizzard is being forecast for Monday afternoon through Wednesday.
#BlackHills #SouthDakota #winterstorm

Some freezing rain this morning, but not bad yet. It is getting scenic.#Wisconsin #WinterStorm

Tree fell in #WinterStorm

Blizzard flying. Chicago, December 2022 #aowsimages #chicago #illinois #usa #midwest #blizzard #snow #snowstorm #winterstorm #winter #fog #foggy #moody #skyline #photography #blackandwhitephotography

#AtmosphericRiver #Winterstorm #California
#ContraCostaCounty #
Contra Costa Fire Engine E07 was hit by a falling tree yesterday evening.
No injuries were reported.

I hear tell, I'm in a snow globe, and someone shook it up. #BostonWeather #WinterStorm #Noreaster It's getting quiet out there. No big wind, yet.

#AtmosphericRiver #California #Winterstorm #PowerOutages

Currently 379,668 Customers without power

Monterey County > 15,057
San Mateo County > 54,072
Contra Costa County > 69,440
Santa Clara County > 126,995

#AtmosphericRiver #California #Winterstorm #PowerOutages

Currently 109,942 Customers without power

San Mateo County > 15,523
Monterey County > 15,533
Santa Clara County > 24,500

Pets / Animal Evac Info for Santa Barbara County - Tuesday, 03/14/2023

If you need temporary boarding of your pets - Santa Barbara County Animal Services Shelter are open for pets.

If you need help with #livestock or large #animals - please call the disaster hotline 805-681-4332

#WinterStorm #Goleta #Montecito
#AtmosphericRiver #California #SBcounty #SantaBarbara #SantaBarbaraCounty #Animals #Pets #Evacuation

Animal Evacuation Informationen for Santa Barbara County
#Winterstorm #atmosphericriver #California #SBcounty #santabarbara #SantaBarbaraCounty

#Pajaro neighborhood, #Watsonville/#California

....Pajaro #flooding #MontereyCounty

#atmosphericriver #Winterstorm

📸 Luis Alejo

#atmosphericriver #Winterstorm #California #MontereyCounty #SantaCruzCounty

The Emergency Shelter at the Fairgrounds in #Watsonville has opened an additional room to be able to accept donations!
PLEASE PLAN YOUR ROUTE as parts of HWY 1 are shutting down!!

Needed items (Sunday):
• Non-refrigerated juices
• Plush blankets
• Fleece/flannel PJs for kids
• Sweatpants/shirts
• Underwear for men/women [new]
• BabyWipes & diapers
• Games/activities for kids

#santacruzcounty #California #AtmosphericRiver #Donations / Needs at the evacuation shelter at the #Watsonville Fairgrounds:

water/drinks
plush blankets
sweats
Fleece PJs for kids
underwear, socks for men/women
kids shoes, socks, underwear
baby wipes & diapers
Games

#Winterstorm #Relief
Volunteers needed at the evacuation shelter:
3 bilingual volunteers
If interested, please call 831-288-3105 for detail

[shared via Native Santa Cruz /Twitter]
#atmosphericriver #California #CAwx
#SantaCruz #santacruzcounty #AnimalRescue #Winterstorm #Volunteers #Needed

.... for and if people interested in volunteering on the animal evacuation shelter in #Watsonville ⤵️

More snow for your morning! I’m still in bed with coffee. View out onto our deck. #PureMichigan #WindowFriday #FensterFreitag #WinterStorm

#WinterStorm #Poweroutages #PowerOutage

Good morning! #WinterWonderland #WinterStorm #PureMichigan #MiWx