Flooding & Climate Change

In the last 20 years, the ten worst international flood events alone claimed over 50,000 lives, affected one billion people and resulted in damages in excess of $165 billion. Storm events both worldwide and in the UK are occurring with greater intensity and frequency over the past decade. The failing of recently constructed flood defenses such as those in Cumbria have exposed a growing uncertainty in weather patterns and a weakness in relying on traditional flood defenses alone. In 2009 we published The LifE  ‘Long-term Initiatives for Flood-risk Environments’ Project for Defra marking a fundamental shift from traditional flood prevention towards a non-defensive approach; based on ‘Making Space for Water’ , as well as the highest environmental design standards - Including reducing operational energy, embodied carbon and potable water. Space is made to store water, and for water to flow through predetermined parts of settlements without significant disruption to peoples lives.  The space between buildings, which is designed to flood, could provide other functions, such as recreation or energy generation when not flooded; thus creating multi-functional space and integrated planning. Where housing could not be located within areas of least vulnerability then we developed new building typologies and mitigation measures. We are a practice based research company. We collaborate with academics, engineers and politicians to advance our understanding and affect change in the field of architecture and the built environment. The ranges across three core areas: enable, design and build, ​flood resilient homes and communities.