WEATHER AND ARCHITECTURE
We ask meteorologists about the weather and climate changes we can expect in the coming years and follow three visionary architects in their search for appropriate, future-proof solutions.
Sea levels are rising and storms are becoming increasingly powerful. Climate change has serious consequences. The cost of the damage caused by extreme weather events around the world is on the increase. Hurricane Katrina cost USD 80 billion; Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 5,000 people – many in their homes. Is our architecture still fulfilling its actual purpose – namely to protect us from the cold and heat, from rain and storms? Architects and engineers have long been discussing how the buildings of the future should be constructed. The pioneers are already at work. In Hong Kong, American Ted Givens is working hard on a house that is designed to withstand any such hurricane, typhoon or tornado – by sinking into the earth at the first sign of danger. Dutchman Koen Olthuis designs and builds floating houses, stadiums, mosques and golf courses around the world and believes that with his idea he can even save Venice from sinking and the Maldives from disappearing into the Indian Ocean. German civil engineer Werner Sobek not only designs houses that are emission-neutral, completely recyclable and self-sufficient in terms of energy, he is also carrying out research into intelligent structures that have muscles and nerves.