flexiblefullpage -
Currently Reading

Being Prepared—Resilient Design

Advertisement
billboard -
Best Practices

Being Prepared—Resilient Design


March 30, 2018

Moving across the country to Los Angeles nearly 15 years ago meant boning up on many aspects of life in the West. This included earthquakes, of course. Until you actually feel one, you have no idea. I’d learn fast about bracing myself in a doorway, huddling under a desk, staying clear of power lines, never hanging anything over the bed, keeping flashlights in several areas of the house, and having a crank radio on hand. I’d find out about the U.S. Geological Survey’s excellent website (in the time since I began writing this, a mild shaker was recorded midway between here and San Francisco). So far, our three days’ worth of bottled water, canned beans, and tuna remain unused, but we make sure to keep them updated. California’s costliest earthquake occurred in 1994, just 15 miles north of where I live. 

This past fall brought new awareness. The Thomas, Creek, Skirball, and Rye wildfires blazed close enough that smoke filled the horizon. There was a mauve-colored end-of-days cast over everything. The air smelled acrid; all was covered with silty ash. Going outside was ill-advised, and if you had to, wearing a drywall respirator mask was a good idea. Most of the friends with whom we’d seek shelter were up north, but for a few days, fires blocked all routes that way. My husband and I took inventory of the documents, essentials, possessions, and clothing we’d take if we had to pack up and drive south to ... who knows where? What went unsaid was that we may be leaving our house for good. 

We were lucky; we didn’t have to evacuate. Others haven’t been so fortunate this year. As we put this issue of Custom Builder to bed, heavy rains are falling in California. Good for the water supply, but very bad for the residents of Santa Barbara who have been issued mandatory evacuations in the event of mudslides in the burn areas from the Thomas Fire. 

Experts tell us to expect more floods, fires, and fierce storms because climate change is playing an increasing role in natural disasters. As you’ll read in “Ready for Anything,” custom builders are preparing for this. Senior editor Susan Bady talked to several who realize the urgency of including disaster prep in their designs, such as battery backup systems, safe rooms, moment frames, and pier-and-beam construction. In this issue, builders that work on custom homes in coastal areas, as well as earthquake- and flood-prone ones, share ways to build for resiliency that pencil out for the builder, reassure the buyer, and offer sustainability in the form of a beautiful home that outlasts much of what nature tosses at it.

Related Stories

Custom Builder

Floodproof on a Floodplain

An impressive addition to the IDEA Home series, the NEWLOOK Experience Home is a master class in engineering and creative design, with builder Michael Freiburger out-thinking an exceptionally tricky lot

Business

Defining Outdoor Living in 2024

Residential experts weigh in on outdoor living trends in new report

Construction

How to Air Seal the Garage

A poorly sealed wall or ceiling between the garage and the main house can let harmful fumes into the living space

Business

Taking Advantage of Incentives Through Weatherization

Industry insider Kristen Lewis walks us through the basics and benefits of weatherization

Codes & Standards

OSHA's Preliminary List of 2023's Most Frequently Cited Standards in Violations

Fall-related violations continue to plague the construction industry despite ample free education and resources 

Custom Builder

Merging Ancient Construction With Modern Living

This vacation home pushes the boundaries of traditional log construction techniques and incorporates elegant details elevating this typically rustic building method

Custom Builder

Women at WIRC: Jessica Cargile Talks Business Management and Work/Life Balance

Jessica Cargile owns and operates a custom building company with her husband, a dynamic that requires constant teamwork and an intentional effort to strike a healthy work/life balance 

Custom Builder

How the Zero Energy Ready Home Update Emphasizes Resilience and Decarbonization

ZERH Version 2, released in December of 2022, will boost the efficiency and performance of single-family homes, preparing them for the increasingly oppressive weather

Custom Builder

Making a Custom Home Among the Redwoods

Designing a not-cramped-feeling, three-bedroom home on a tight lot surrounded by protected redwoods was no easy task. But through high ceilings, abundant glazing, and thoughtful spatial detailing, architect Heidi Richardson achieved the improbable. 

Custom Builder

Improve Thermal Performance and Lower Costs

An optimized, value-engineered approach to framing kills two birds with one stone

Advertisement
boombox1 -
Advertisement
boombox2 -
Advertisement
boombox3 -
Advertisement
native1 -

More in Category

Custom Builder

Floodproof on a Floodplain

An impressive addition to the IDEA Home series, the NEWLOOK Experience Home is a master class in engineering and creative design, with builder Michael Freiburger out-thinking an exceptionally tricky lot

Business

Defining Outdoor Living in 2024

Residential experts weigh in on outdoor living trends in new report

boombox4 -
Construction

How to Air Seal the Garage

A poorly sealed wall or ceiling between the garage and the main house can let harmful fumes into the living space

Business

Taking Advantage of Incentives Through Weatherization

Industry insider Kristen Lewis walks us through the basics and benefits of weatherization

boombox4 -
Advertisement
native2 -
Advertisement
halfpage1 -