This previous yr now we have seen the damaging energy of wind, significantly from tornadoes, in Joplin, Missouri and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Within the aftermath, there was the same old name for stronger constructing requirements to make residential development safer to reduce harm and lack of life. There have been enhancements through the years in constructing requirements even when they’ve been extra modest than wanted. However there’s something lacking from this dialogue; a query we’re not asking. Why aren’t we constructing residential development that’s extra aerodynamic? Sure, aerodynamic like now we have been constructing our cars. We’ve been making our vehicles extra aerodynamic for a very long time, primarily to enhance gasoline mileage. Examine the Ford Mannequin T to at the moment’s Ford Focus. They’re considerably completely different in form and skill to shed wind. Our homes usually are not not like the Mannequin T. They expose a number of floor space and flat partitions can catch the complete pressure of wind, inflicting harm and destruction. They usually have lengthy roof overhangs, part add-ons and wind-catching ornamentation. A streamlined residence presents decrease wind resistance or higher “coefficient of drag”, to borrow a time period often utilized to cars. That may be a good factor relating to hurricanes and tornadoes. However it isn’t the one profit. Higher geometry can even decrease floor space to quantity enclosed, lowering vitality for heating and cooling. By lowering or eliminating sharp corners, which focus forces, there’s potential to cut back seismic masses on our buildings in earthquake nation. However what geometric form or shapes ought to we be utilizing for our houses to make them extra aerodynamic, recognizing that most individuals aren’t going to reside in geodesic domes? We will take some cues from nature, which doesn’t construct bins, however does need to cope with wind and different forces. Whether or not it’s the honeybee, who builds with hexagons, the nautilus that makes use of round spirals, or birds that assemble hemispherical abodes, there are various types that might be tailored to residential development; some are tame and others extra radical. These shapes supply the potential for safer and extra environmentally benign houses, fostering a artistic new aesthetic. Our preferences in residence design usually are not innate; they’re discovered. There’s precedent for shifting to completely different aesthetics from what we grew up with. We see that in our garments, in furnishings and in our vehicles, simply to quote just a few examples. However we should acknowledge the necessity to shift earlier than we create the chance to do it. We will take a lesson from the vitality disaster of a number of a long time in the past after we started the march to extra fuel-efficient vehicles. It doesn’t have to come back from a authorities mandate. However extra aerodynamic homes ought to be in our future. Higher vitality effectivity, safer houses, and fewer earthquake threat are a few of the causes to vary.,
