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 people's 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.

Modern glass house and traditional home surrounded by trees and gardens on a riverbank with a small boat docked at the water's edge.Red brick modern townhouses with large windows and glass balconies behind a wooden elevated walkway and green lawn with a large tree in the foreground.Aerial view of a river with multiple bridges, adjacent urban areas, green fields, and boats navigating the water.3D architectural rendering of a mixed-use urban development with green roofs, pedestrian pathways, and buildings along a waterfront.A detailed urban landscape plan showing buildings, green spaces, roads, and a river with two bridges crossing it.Aerial view of a coastal resort with palm trees, sandy beaches, thatched structures, and boats in the ocean near a desert landscape.Illuminated modern pavilion with angular roof and people gathering at dusk near water reflecting the lights.Modern spa area with curved stone arches, circular skylights, and an infinity pool overlooking a misty mountain landscape.Aerial view of a modern U-shaped floating building on clear blue water with a dock, surrounded by forest and fields.Aerial view of a resort island with modern villas, palm trees, and boats in surrounding clear blue water.Spacious modern lobby with curved seating, circular skylight, stone tables, and natural decorative elements.Modern luxury timber floating villa with curved roof and pool over clear ocean water at dusk.Waterfront view of a classical style building with palm trees and boats docked at a wooden pier in a city setting.

BACA's Six Pillars of Design

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Site and Context Integration:

Our first consideration is how a  project harmonizes with its site and surroundings. This encompasses understanding the relationship between the proposed design and  the local environment, as well as contractual obligations

A colorful diagram illustrating a cyclical program development process with seven stages: Needs Analysis, Development Plan, Objectives, Course Material, Program Delivery, Evaluation, and Feedback Loop, connected by arrows.

Programme Development:

In close collaboration with our clients, we assess the financial viability of a project. This involves determining the necessary number of units and the amount of commercial space needed to ensure profitability. Building on this foundation, we create a comprehensive brief that outlines the distribution of key elements, circulation patterns for inhabitants,clear demarcations of public and private spaces, coherent retail and F&B zones, and efficient on-site parking solutions.

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Cultural and Community Engagement:

We delve into understanding who the prospective inhabitants are, what facilities and spatial arrangements will draw them to the development, why they would choose to stay, and how the project will contribute to the city’s skyline or waterfront, enhancing local culture and community life.

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Technical Integrity:

Our designs are informed by the availability of local materials, the supply chain, and regional construction expertise. We aim to anticipate and address local challenges proactively, ensuring that technical constraints do not compromise the design's integrity.

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Sustainability:

We strategise the development's massing to optimise solar gain control and wind capture for natural cooling. Our "fabric-first" approach leverages the building's façade to moderate the climate, minimise energy consumption, and enhance occupant comfort, resulting in environmentally sustainable and responsive designs.

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Aesthetic Excellence:

The culmination of our design philosophy is the achievement of clear, coherent, and aesthetically pleasing architecture. With over 15 years of experience, we transform constraints into world-class designs by adhering to a robust design philosophy that is understood by all stakeholders. This philosophy is versatile enough to adapt to broader planning and budget considerations while preserving distinctive architectural qualities. This forms the core DNA of the project.

LifE Project

The LifE Project (Long-term Initiatives for Flood-risk Environments) was developed by BACA architects as part of Defra’s Making Space for Water programme.

LifE is our holistic urban systems approach that integrates water-sensitive planning, adaptive infrastructure and zero-carbon development. It channels nature-based solutions to create resilient places that work with water, not against it.

The project promotes design where managing flood risk becomes an asset rather than a constraint, encouraging communities to view water as an opportunity to shape sustainable, liveable environments. The LifE approach provides a clear framework to unlock difficult flood risk sites for safe development.

Open booklet held by two hands showing diagrams and text about river catchment, rain gardens, and flood management strategies.

RIBA President’s Medal for Practice-Based Research
RIBA Sustainable Living by Design Award
Bronze Medal at the International Landscape Awards (€20K Prize).

IULA '09 logo with the text International Urban Landscape Award and a dotted pattern in the background.Logo featuring the word 'grabs' in large lowercase letters, with the text 'green and blue space adaptation for urban areas and eco towns' below.
View the LifE Project
Stack of six books on water-related topics, including aquatecture, floating architecture, water resource, urban flood risk management, and flood design.
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