𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬: 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐀'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 I’ve been reflecting a lot over the last week on the devastating LA wildfires, as well as considering other terrible events in Canada and Australia last year, and Lahaina in Hawaii in 2023.
It's a stark reminder of how imperative it is for us, as designers and builders, to construct homes that can withstand such events—or at least give occupants a better chance of safety.
In today's article on The Build Review, I discuss how our design and material choices can make a significant difference in a home's resilience during extreme weather and wildfire events. I discuss two surviving houses in LA, including Tom Hanks's residence and a home designed by architect Greg Chaison.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
1) 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲: The importance of having non-combustible materials around the home to act as a buffer against flames and flying embers.
2) 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲: Using materials like metal roofing, stucco cladding, and tempered glass windows to enhance a home's fire resistance.
3) 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧: How avoiding complex rooflines can reduce areas where embers might collect.
4) 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The role that neighbourhood planning and cooperation play in enhancing overall safety during wildfires.
As I often discuss (like a broken record), our design choices impact not just the aesthetic appeal but also the longevity of our homes, and the safety of those within. These extreme events are critical lessons for us all. We need to move beyond minimum building code requirements and proactively adopt design strategies for resilience, sustainability, and safety.
👉 Read the full article here: buildreview.org/la-wildfires-design-strategies-for…
Stay safe, and let's work together to build a better, more resilient future.
#Design #LAWildfires #Safety #Sustainability #Fire #ClimateChange #SustainableDesign
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𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐞𝐬? Or have many organisations already missed the boat?
Even before turbulence began to rock the global construction industry, observers knew that many governments would struggle to keep up with their housing demand. Red tape, a shortage of skilled workers, building education, construction efficiency, supply chain price gauging, and financing difficulties are just some of the reasons why.
As the housing shortage worsens, and construction prices and rents rise, industry experts are shifting their focus to productivity-boosting solutions. One potential way to do so would be to use digital tools ranging from digital twins to artificial intelligence and robotics. But another more promising approach is also coming back into focus: serial and modular building practices that use industrially prefabricated components.
Most of today’s construction projects are custom made, structures that are designed for a specific site to meet specific user needs, are erected by using building practices that are adapted to the climate and region and are built by hand just as they were 100 years ago. This is like a relay race, passing the batten to the next runner when that part of the race is finished.
In contrast, serial construction happens in unison, allowing many tasks to run in parallel. It’s quicker, and more efficient – if employed well. Or as Thomas Kirmayr of the Fraunhofer Building Innovation Alliance in Germany puts it: “The construction sector has failed to make any consistent gains in productivity for too long due to the lack of pressure to act in recent decades. This is one reason for the massive market slump caused by excessively high mortgage costs. More prefabricated and system-based construction methods for new construction and renovation projects are urgently needed to create a future-oriented construction sector.”
Can serial construction building techniques save the construction industry?
Compared with traditional construction methods that consist of phases carried out in a linear way directly on site, modular and panelised construction offers a faster, more cost-effective solution. By standardising and optimizing processes, modular construction reduces the vulnerability of supply chains and minimizes many of the traditional risk factors on construction sites. Unlike in the 1970s, these building practices are now highly adaptable and can meet individual design requirements, even large-scale housing needs.
Continue Reading: buildreview.org/increased-productivity-serial-cons…
#Construction #OSM #PanelisedConstruction #Modular
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𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞?
What roofing do you choose for your new house building project? Do you choose for appearance, durability, maintenance, cost, or a combination thereof?
Depending on where you live in the world, or even which town, sometimes there’s a prominent roofing material in use because of tradition or local supply dominance.
I spent a lot of time living in the UK countryside, and my favourite roof style was the thatched roof. But there is a cost to thatching roofs. Although they look amazing, they also attract some unwanted guests (pests), and there is also a fire and insurance risk. Also, if you venture to many other countries like Australia or New Zealand, you won’t find thatched roofs anywhere.
In New Zealand, I see a lot of metal roofs. They used to be really cheap (not since covid) to buy – but for me they are a major pain to install, and any scratch on the surface will rust – and that rust will spread over time. Metal roofs may be more durable, but I just don’t like them because of the noise issues. Standing under a metal roof in the rain is just not pleasant, and unless you have really good soundproofing or another structural layer underneath, like ply, this may be a cause for concern.
My preference for house roofing is asphalt shingles, and they may not last as long, but they are easy to replace, and look great – to me, anyway. There are so many choices nowadays for roof finishes: slate, fake slate, clay tiles, even incorporated solar panels that cover the entire roof. But consider this: the roof is the hat of your house. It is usually visible, and a cheap-looking roof looks just that – cheap. I’m not saying to buy an expensive roof; just make sure the colour and appearance work with your surroundings and your community, or your house may stand out like a sore thumb.
For cost considerations, please remember to consider both the cost to purchase and the cost to install. Different products vary considerably in installation cost.
Link to Matt's Roofing video: buildreview.org/what-house-roofing-should-you-choo…
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In Today's Build Review Video Post, Matt Ferrell looks at China's impressive Kubuqi Renewables Base and discusses its challenges competing with its own mammoth fossil fuel industry. Is China making green strides or is it a token gesture? Let's join Matt and find out.
buildreview.org/chinas-green-revolution-illuminati…
#renewableenergy #sustainability #china
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Welcome to the world of plumbing and heating. In this episode of “𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 1” from the 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐒 series by guest author Matt Risinger.
Don't forget to share this video with anyone considering a career in the trades. Join us as we uncover Eric's story, his success, and the promising career landscape that awaits aspiring tradespeople.
buildreview.org/exploring-the-plumbing-trade-succe…
#plumbing #plumber #tradespeople
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𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫? Today on The Build Review we hear from first time guest authors Design Alchemy from New Zealand who discuss this very topic.
buildreview.org/decorator-vs-interior-designer/
#interiordesign #design #housedecorator #interiordesigner #howto #thebuildreview
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Our latest vidoe post on The Build Review looks at: 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬: 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 ‘𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬’ a new 13 part series hosted by guest author Matt Risinger from the Build Show USA.
buildreview.org/exploring-career-opportunities-in.…
#careers #construction #building
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Introducing the 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐭, an innovative and helpful free-to-use guide for the built environment sector. Developed by Arup and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, this toolkit is poised to mainstream the principles of the circular economy.
buildreview.org/circular-buildings-toolkit/
#design #sustainabledevelopment #architecture #circulareconomy
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Our latest post on the Build Review introduces our latest guest authors from Design Alchemy. They're award-winning interior designers from New Zealand, known for their exceptional talent and creativity. They're here to share their wisdom, insights, and professional experiences in interior design with you. See link for more information below.
buildreview.org/professional-interior-design-advic…
#interiordesign #interiors #interiordesigner #thebuildreview
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Today on The Build Review we ask the question: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭?
buildreview.org/professional-lighting-design/
#design #architecture #interiordesign #lighting #lightingdesign
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Our proven methods address housing affordability, improve quality and health outcomes, and accelerate project timelines. We don't just transform housing projects – we unlock opportunities for local manufacturing and economic growth, helping you deliver meaningful impact in the communities that need it most.