2014 floods in the Somerset Levels
Our environment is changing, but most architects are still designing buildings with the 20th century’s climate in mind. Developments must adapt, or face becoming unfit for purpose within years of their construction. As sea levels rise, water – and drought – will play an increasingly important role in our lives. Like the weather, water levels will become more unpredictable. Areas that have never seen flooding before could suddenly be hit by a deluge.
It’s not just coastal regions we should account for, either. Changing rainfall patterns mean inland flood zones will be submerged more often. Similarly, urban areas are seeing more flooding – it may not occur in a predictable pattern every year, but it does happen! To maximise the space available to us, the buildings of the future need to be resilient.
Instead of building barriers, we take a very gentle approach that respects the environment. That’s the key mindset: working with rather than against the water. This ethos allows architects to create a space where stress and anxiety levels remain low, even as the water rises.