It would stand to reason that folks of this here United
States and the World would see the flaws in Architectural Design in our
so-called industrial society. Yet in many ways have a blind trust in the local
governing body to insure ones safety. Truly
though, let us look at the faces:
1. Natural Disasters are Natural so why are they a
disaster? Building Codes?
2. Your home IS NOT your shelter, for you are
forced to evacuate when nature calls.
3. Year after year folks are boarding up and/or
rebuilding their community with no code change.
4. Think how much more you are paying every year
for building supplies do to the “Business as usual” of board-up/tear
down/rebuild mentality of the modern engineering & architectural
communities.
5. There has been an outcry to reduce the strain on
our Natural Resources, yet
each time a natural disaster strikes our Natural
Resources are put to the test.
6. Insurance cost across the board have been on the
rise over the last 30 yrs doto communities being wiped out by what comes from
nature, “NATURES NATURAL FLOW”.
7. Then there is on average 300,000 people killed
each year and 900,000 displaced due to the lack in structural design and its
ability to be sustainability lasting structures.
8.What of the fact, that every time you are asked
to evacuate your communities, you stand the chance that the Local or Federal
Governing bodies could seize your land and you will never be allowed to return
to your homes or communities.
9. When talking of sustainability and building
green, if a structure is not sustainable in of itself is it truly sustainable
or green when you must evacuate it tomorrow?
Folks say we live it the modern age yet we still build
Byzantine, Roman, Gothic, cubical structure that have never and will never
protect our highways, byways, communities, businesses, and homes. As it stands,
all building codes fall under what is known as a Resistance Rating or R rating.
This “R” rating interprets how well the structure and it components can resist
the earth’s natural flow. The resistance to the “Load Bearing” force (R rating)
of the natural elements and the earth is the building code way. Yet how can
this truly lead to sustainability in our world when in reality we build to be
in conflict with the natural elements and the earth by building to resist. The
word itself means “To be in conflict or war with,” is this how the other
creatures of our world live? Or do they build their homes to flow with nature
and at the same time reek the benefits of nature’s natural flow.
Now, let us look at building codes and said materials for
ways in which we can build to flow with the natures natural elements and the earth.
In saying this, let us now consider a new form of rating system, a Flow Rating
or “FR” rating. What is Flow Rating code all about? It is about designing “All
New Structures” to flow with the natural elements of nature and the earth.
Hence, we can start this first by retrofit any structure we can with a
saddleback foundation system. For as long as the structure is tethered to the
earth it will sarcoma to its movement by being pulled and twisted by the same
earth it is tether to. Looking for an alternative we will look to the incredible
eatable egg for an example, but not to eat. Hypothetically, thinking of an egg cut
it in half on its side as a basement (attached to home) and also as a
sub-basement (saddleback foundation system-attached, to earth), being properly
counter balanced the structure would be free of the force of the earth to move
and shift during an earthquake.
Also with the egg/oval let us think new home. With the egg
or oval shape for a home or other structure we see that one can create a form
of sustainable living. The outer part of the structure can be wrapped with
water & solar collectors as well as having ways to harness the wind/air.
This home can be ideal for all natural environments and the elements there in.
(Not to scale)
First level is to be filled in to the Second level for a
year round yard & garden with miniature fruit trees and/or pond if one
likes and here is where the bathroom should be. Third level is to be living
room, dining room, kitchen, etc. The forth level is bedrooms and bathroom. All gray
water piped in the outer walls down to second level garden area. If we can ultimately
eliminate ALL external connections pips and wires the structure truly becomes
sustainable & green way of life. As long as the home is hooked up in any
way to gas, water or power the saddleback foundation system is the safest way
to do so. Seeing that the home is to be cradled in a saddleback foundation, a
quick release/shutoff valve system for these lines is the answer to gas leak/explosion,
water leak/lack of water pressure, and down lines, & the shutdown of grids
where services are still need.
Furthermore, this structure has the ability to be buoyant &
tethered during floods (clean-out saddleback foundation system & reconnect), tornadoes cannot
rip it apart & if it is equipped with foundation lock-down unit the
structure would remain connected to the saddleback foundation (unless flood,
where it can be released), with the tsunamis, nether the in-going & outgoing
tide or the debris therein would be a real threat to the structure. Then with
earthquakes this structural design can allow the earth to move freely under the
structure so as not to have the structure crack or fail. This design can also
be tailored to withstand armed threats all while providing a Sustainable green
building that can be 100% free of outside means of survival. In saying this,
think of this home in Alaska, this structure is ideal for the cold climate and
being snowed in as well as the extreme heat zones for water loss.
On the corporate or business side of things and lost revenue,
a service is still needed of upkeep to all equipment in the structure. There is
no reason why these services could not be mandated the soul responsibility of
the utility companies and at the same time they can profit from the runoff or overload
of each unit. The utility companies’ chance of making even more money than they
are now is inevitable.
In closing, when looking for a true sustainable future in
architecture, we need to look to NATURE for the answers. An egg was just one example
of nature’s way to live safe from the elements, you can also look at all the
types of sea shells for another good example. Let us put SHELTER back in to the meaning of HOME for your home should be your shelter. Evacuation is not the answer to the preservation of our communities.
*For further information on build code reform go to
http://buildtoflowwithnaturenottoresistit.blogspot.com/2012/07/underground-shelters-wont-cut-it.html or just read on! Thank you sincerely, StonewallMary
