How Climate is Changing Architecture: Approaches and Materials

Elena Konchakova, Development Director at TEGOLA, co-founder of the TIMELESS landscape project, on the specifics of choosing roofing materials in conditions of climate change.

If you live in central Russia, you couldn't help but notice how mild the winter was this year. The Epiphany frosts passed us by, and spring, according to forecasters, will be early and warm. It would seem, what's not to be happy about? However, despite the apparent attractiveness of such changes, they are a sign of deeper and more significant climatic shifts and require us to rethink familiar approaches to construction and architecture. Contemporary architecture and building materials are increasingly adapting to changing climatic conditions to create more sustainable and comfortable buildings for the future.

Climate Cataclysms of 2024: More Than Just a Warm Winter

Indeed, in some parts of the planet, recent climate changes are felt as a positive phenomenon, making daily weather milder and more comfortable. But the problem is that the past year, 2024, was recognized as the hottest in the history of observations: the Earth's surface temperature was 1.55℃ above average. This entailed numerous problems. In some regions, temperature spikes were accompanied by drought and wildfires, in others—by heavy rains and floods. Fires that destroyed tens of millions of hectares of forest raged in Texas, California, Mexico, Chile, and Bolivia. Extreme heat in the USA, India, and Saudi Arabia claimed hundreds of lives: air temperatures rose to 50℃ and people died from heart attacks, dehydration, and exacerbation of chronic diseases. Floods, already common in Southeast Asia, were particularly destructive in the Middle East, where hundreds of homes and roads were destroyed, and over 1000 people died. Usually arid Oman, UAE, Iran, and Yemen were also flooded. Even in Moscow, there was a hurricane with tropical downpours and winds up to 25 m/s in the summer. In the spring of 2024, Orenburg and Orsk were severely affected by floods, and in March, a cyclone brought a real sandstorm to the Amur Region.

Forewarned is Forearmed

Climate changes have already become, if not the most predictable, then an obvious factor that people must contend with. It is especially important to consider such phenomena in urban planning, architecture, and construction, because the lives of millions depend on the durability of housing and the safety of the urban environment. In response to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, states have begun to revise construction standards to increase infrastructure resilience and reduce risks associated with climate change.

For example, in China, since 2015, a program has been in place to create so-called "sponge cities," whose infrastructure allows absorbing, cleaning, and using rainwater, reducing the load on drainage systems and lowering the risk of floods. In more than 30 major cities in China, artificial reservoirs, parks with drainage systems, and other infrastructure facilities that promote water retention and recycling have been built. Green roofs, permeable pavements, and other innovative approaches are also actively used for this purpose. A similar program operates in Singapore. It is called ABC (Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters) and aims to integrate water resources into the urban environment, improving stormwater management and helping to avoid floods.

In the Netherlands, the UK, and Bangladesh, due to flood risks, requirements are gradually being introduced for construction on foundations raised above ground level, using waterproof materials, and creating drainage systems. In Japan, special standards for constructing seismically resistant buildings have long been in place, which also consider the risks of floods and typhoons.

In regions prone to hurricanes, for example, the USA and Caribbean countries, requirements for the strength of building materials, especially for roofs, windows, and doors, have been tightened. Impact-resistant glass and reinforced fastenings are used. In hot climates like the Middle East and Australia, the emphasis is on using materials with high reflectivity: light-colored roof coatings, thermal insulation to reduce energy consumption for cooling. In Europe, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is in force, which requires new buildings to be nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB).

In Russia, with its vast territory and enormous diversity of climatic zones from arctic to subtropical, the choice of architectural solutions and building materials must also consider possible extreme loads created by natural phenomena. The choice of waterproofing, roofing, and facade materials can be particularly critical, as they play a key role in ensuring the durability and longevity of buildings.

Specifics of Choosing Roofing Materials

On one hand, the choice of roofing options is dictated by the construction region itself. Thus, in hot and arid areas of our country, preference is given to materials with high reflectivity and resistance to ultraviolet radiation. In regions with frequent rains and high humidity, materials resistant to corrosion and mold are needed. In northern latitudes with cold winters and heavy snowfall, roofs with high thermal insulation and the ability to withstand snow loads are relevant.

On the other hand, it is important to consider current approaches and universal construction trends towards environmentally friendly and weather-resistant materials.

Green roofs, that is, flat roofs with vegetative cover, are an effective way to combat the effects of climate change. They help lower temperatures in cities, improve air quality, absorb rainwater, and provide additional thermal insulation. Such roofs are especially relevant in urbanized areas where the "heat island" effect is observed—an increase in average temperature in cities due to industry, transport, and other anthropogenic impacts.

It is necessary to use materials resistant to extreme weather conditions for roofing, such as, for example, modular metal tiles. Today this is one of the most popular roofing solutions in Russia, as steel roofs are extremely durable and easy to install. The modular system with hidden fastenings makes laying such tiles as straightforward as possible and practically eliminates installation errors. The number of holes in the roof becomes minimal, and the protection of the home becomes reliable, despite heat, frost, and wind loads. Moreover, such tiles have a rich and aesthetic appearance and suit projects of any style and complexity.

Flexible tiles of the new generation are another innovative solution of recent years that has gained the trust of builders, architects, and homeowners themselves. It is a response to modern climate challenges. Such tiles can withstand hurricane winds, heavy rains, snowfall, or hail. At the same time, thanks to a large number of shapes and shades, they provide the opportunity to create unique buildings with complex multifaceted or curved roofs, so popular in the biomic style. The basalt granulate on its surface creates a feeling of naturalness, allowing this material to harmoniously fit into any context.

In a changing climate, the choice of roofing materials becomes a strategic task, but the abundance of solutions offers a wide range of possibilities for implementing projects in any style. Contemporary architects and engineers consider not only aesthetic and economic aspects but also the environmental sustainability, durability, and adaptability of materials to any extreme conditions.

Source: https://aindexproject.com/kak-klimat-menyaet-arhitekturu-podhody-i-materialy/