Whether it’s a baking desert plain or a bitter Arctic snowfield, constructing a home that can withstand an extreme environment is far from straightforward – only the most robust of properties can hold their own in such challenging climates. From buildings designed to fight bushfires to indestructible homes that can withstand hurricanes, tsunamis and even earthquakes, click or scroll on to take a tour of the world’s most resilient residences…
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Hurricane-resistant house, North Carolina, USA
This unique round house is both structurally beautiful and life-saving. The hurricane-resistant property was designed by the team at Deltec Homes, who’ve spent the past five years constructing dwellings that fight the effects of climate change. In fact, this pad can withstand even the harshest of weather conditions. Thanks to its circular shape, wind can’t build up enough pressure to cause a structural failure, while an optimum roof pitch allows for wind deflection and reduced lift.
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Hurricane-resistant house, North Carolina, USA
Designed to have a low impact on the environment, this 4,340-square-foot property is spacious as well as strong. Spanning two floors, it features a mudroom, a study, several bathrooms, four bedrooms, and a huge open-plan living area with a dining zone and kitchen. There’s even a music room, a gym and a movie theatre located in the basement. Every single room seems to flow around the home’s rotund form, while floor-to-ceiling glass only enhances the impression of space.
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Hurricane-resistant house, North Carolina, USA
Every Deltec house also boasts reinforced windows, which prevent wind and water from getting inside, as well as plywood sheathing that stops flying debris from causing damage. Light-filled and rustic, the modern home also offers solar-powered hot water, enhanced insulation and a reflective metal roof that allows the interior to maintain a constant temperature. Plus, just look at that stunning statement ceiling – talk about wow-factor!
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Hurricane-resistant house, North Carolina, USA
With several models and house sizes to choose from, each Deltec home comes with a protection guarantee. In fact, the company’s buildings have so far survived some of the most detrimental storms in US history, including direct hits from Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina. Shell prices begin at just $323,000 (£236k), while a full turnkey home will set you back around $775,000 (£567k) – but you can’t put a price on safety.
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Tsunami House, Washington, USA
Positioned in an extreme flood zone on Camano Island in Washington, USA, Tsunami House is perfectly suited to its environment. Crafted by the team at Designs Northwest Architects, the property can withstand high-velocity tsunami waves, 85 mph winds and Zone D earthquakes. As far as impenetrable properties go, this house is hard to beat.
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Tsunami House, Washington, USA
The waterfront residence might be ultra-tough, but its interior is cosy and inviting. Inside, Tsunami House is modern and bright, thanks to whitewashed walls, pops of colour and endless glass. Covering three floors, the house features a lower level with walls and windows that break away in the event of a storm surge. Consequently, the flexible, multi-use space is known as the ‘Flood Room’.
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Tsunami House, Washington, USA
The sturdy modernist structure comes with an open-plan great room with a kitchen, living area and dining space, as well as two bedrooms – one of which is located on a 198-square-foot sleeping loft that faces the water. Durable and low-maintenance, the exterior is clad in metal and Vivix siding that can stand up to the elements, while across the living spaces you can find a palette of polished concrete, porcelain tiles, milled steel and western red cedar for a warm industrial feel.
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Tsunami House, Washington, USA
The ‘Flood Room’ not only offers spectacular coastal views but also features a cool indoor-outdoor atmosphere, thanks to a set of industrial garage doors that neatly tuck up into the ceiling. There to protect the main residence from deadly flooding, this airy space fuses skillful design with stylish finishes.
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Weather-proof home, USA
Founded by partners Raivo and Ieva Katana, Katana House specialises in creating homes that are as safe as they are comfortable. Whether placed in a bitter Nordic landscape or an unstable corner of North America, the company’s modern minimalist homes are designed to thrive.
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Weather-proof home, USA
Capable of withstanding winds of up to 220 mph (354kmh), the company’s M5 3BR model is one of its best. With three bedrooms and three bathrooms, the house benefits from panoramic windows, a six-foot terrace and plenty of inside space. The model is available in two sizes, 1,991 or 2,443 square feet, so you can specify a home that works for you and your lifestyle.
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Weather-proof home, USA
Thoroughly tested in laboratory conditions, this weather-proof home is adjusted with the right technology to suit any given climate. In fact, Katana House offers four different building technique packages to fight fire, water, pests and wind. Built from strong laminated veneer lumber panels, galvanised high-calibre steel and magnesium oxide concrete, there’s a model to suit almost every location on earth, from the Caribbean to the Arctic Circle.
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Weather-proof home, USA
As well as being built to comply with the strictest building codes in America, every Katana House is environmentally friendly. Powered by solar panels, the house is also well-insulated, which means your energy costs would be minimal. With worldwide delivery and speedy assembly, there’s really no downside.
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Bushfire-proof home, Western Australia, Australia
Designed by architects Ian Weir and Kylie Feher, this modernist masterpiece was carefully curated to survive the extreme bushfires that regularly sweep across Western Australia.
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Bushfire-proof home, Western Australia, Australia
Located inside a Eucalyptus forest, the aptly named Karri Fire House was created for a professional firefighter – someone who knows all too well the devastating effects that fire can have on a home.
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Bushfire-proof home, Western Australia, Australia
Industrial-grade materials were carefully used to withstand a Bushfire Attack Level of BAL-40, one of the highest measures possible. The house also has extra-robust shutters, which can be used throughout the year to manage the levels of sunlight and glare that enter through the windows.
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Bushfire-proof home, Western Australia, Australia
The property is also highly energy-efficient and features fireproof masonry walls, a suspended concrete floor and fire-retardant insulation. As well as being extremely safe, the home has an attractive contemporary aesthetic, offering the perfect balance between practicality and kerb appeal.
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Storm-proof home, North Carolina, USA
Designed to suit even the most inhospitable parts of North America, this attractive round house has more to offer than style. Designed by Deltec Homes, the single-storey dwelling offers 1,496 square feet of inside space and an exterior that’s capable of surviving extreme storms and even hurricane-force winds.
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Storm-proof home, North Carolina, USA
Open-plan and filled with natural light, the house features a lounge, a dining area, a kitchen, three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Five times more airtight than a regular home, the storm-resistant property is also extremely insulated to make it as energy-efficient as possible. Plus, every single aspect of the house, from the painted siding to the windows, can be customised to suit the individual owner and their chosen plot.
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Storm-proof home, North Carolina, USA
Every single space in this chic home is bright and airy, thanks to a subtle colour scheme, natural building materials and ample windows. Starting from just $134,000 (£98k) for a shell, you can get your hands on one of these round retreats in a matter of days, thanks to Deltec Homes’ prefabrication process.
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Storm-proof home, North Carolina, USA
Yet that’s not all. Each Deltec home is constructed in a controlled environment and manufactured using 100% renewable energy. The company also follows a unique building method that means they can greatly reduce their construction waste, with 80% of their excess materials being reused, recycled or donated to other projects. How’s that for eco-friendly?
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The Arctic Hideaway, Fleinvær, Norway
Known as The Arctic Hideaway, or Fordypningsrommet Fleinvaer to the locals, these tiny cabin retreats can be found on the wild island of Fleinvær, in the northern-most region of Norway. Positioned in the heart of the Arctic Circle, building here presented numerous challenges for the project’s designers, TYIN Tegnestue Architects.
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The Arctic Hideaway, Fleinvær, Norway
Surrounded by the Lofoten mountain range, the hideaway sits on the very edge of the sea and is exposed to extreme weather all year round. Such a harsh environment led the architects to design raised huts that could withstand the brutality of the wild and windswept island.
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The Arctic Hideaway, Fleinvær, Norway
The hideaway was designed for a jazz musician, who wanted to create a beautiful workspace where artists could meet, escape and be inspired by the landscape. The cluster of cabins offers pared-back design with Scandinavian touches and plenty of exposed natural materials, including timber and cork. Extensive picture windows frame incredible views across Fleinvær that are sure to inspire residents.
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The Arctic Hideaway, Fleinvær, Norway
The ultimate wilderness retreat, the Arctic Hideaway offers four private sleeping cabins and five social spaces, including a canteen and a community sauna to fend off the biting cold. If we find ourselves in the Arctic, we know where we’ll be heading…
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The Glass Pavilion, Andalusia, Spain
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The Glass Pavilion, Andalusia, Spain
The impressive glass structure was designed by Slovenian studio OFIS Arhitekti to withstand extreme heat and solar glare, with the temperature in this part of the world peaking at over 40°C (140°F). With no means of protection or shade, the building uses insulated Guardian SunGuard glass, which cleverly filters solar radiation to protect the pavilion’s residents.
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The Glass Pavilion, Andalusia, Spain
The desert house boasts 360-degree floor-to-ceiling windows instead of walls, offering incredible views across the barren landscape beyond. The glass walls are also extremely tough, meaning the building can easily withstand the area’s ferocious winds.
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The Glass Pavilion, Andalusia, Spain
The property’s roof is made from timber and clad in mirrored panels to reflect the sunlight. Comprising three internal spaces, the glass retreat offers separate rooms for sleeping, eating and bathing and also boasts a sunken hot tub – the perfect spot for stargazing!
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Flat-pack hut, Vancouver, Canada
Designed to be erected in a similar way to IKEA furniture, this sleek flat-pack home lies in the rugged wilderness of Vancouver, Canada. With a distinctive black façade, the structure blends into the surrounding rocks and woodlands.
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Flat-pack hut, Vancouver, Canada
Designed by The Backcountry Hut Company, the petite property is both affordable and sustainable, so it won’t take a toll on the environment. It was specifically created to offer an efficient housing solution for locations that are wild or difficult to reach.
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Flat-pack hut, Vancouver, Canada
Premade in a factory and assembled on-site in less than 24 hours, the forest hut benefits from a modular, prefabricated shell that’s highly energy-efficient and airtight – meaning the intense Canadian winds are kept firmly outside!
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Flat-pack hut, Vancouver, Canada
The exterior of the hut is clad in metal, making it extremely durable no matter the weather. The cabin’s elegant timber shell is crafted from FSC-certified lumber, while the interior features 100% recyclable materials for a zero-waste finish.
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The Wooden House, Goriška, Slovenia
This gorgeous wooden cabin in the idyllic landscape of Kanji Dol, Slovenia, is the perfect woodland retreat to escape the rat race. Designed by Studio PIKAPLUS architects, the property was created as a shelter to withstand the region’s harsh weather conditions.
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The Wooden House, Goriška, Slovenia
Sitting entirely exposed in a beautiful clearing at the heart of rich woodlands, the cabin covers just 82 square feet and has won numerous awards for its stylish, sustainable design.
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The Wooden House, Goriška, Slovenia
The cabin features a highly durable outer shell formed from prefabricated larch wood, which blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. A sheet of metal across the roof helps to further stabilise the structure, while a biomass boiler and electric panels power the home.
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The Wooden House, Goriška, Slovenia
Inside, the cabin is effortlessly modern with bare timber walls, parquet flooring and elegant finishes. Every inch of the home’s interior is utilised, including compact corners and angular roof voids, where a small bedroom can be found. Sleeping up to four people, the idyllic woodland cabin proves that an all-weather home can be pretty stylish too!
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Weather-proof lodges, Ryfylke, Norway
These unique weather-proof cabins lie on the picture-perfect Rogaland hiking trail in Soddatjørn, Norway. This wild environment welcomes thousands of visitors each year, with its breathtaking scenery and versatile mountaineering routes. Offering the perfect respite for hikers, these lodges sit alongside the idyllic waters of Lysefjord and the Soddatjørn Mountain Lake.
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Weather-proof lodges, Ryfylke, Norway
Designed by KOKO Architects, the weather-proof lodges were commissioned by the Stavanger Trekking Association as self-catering accommodation for walkers embarking on this gorgeous mountain pass.
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Weather-proof lodges, Ryfylke, Norway
The contemporary cabins needed to be easy to maintain and quick to erect in an unpredictable environment. Each hut is built from rolled zinc, which helps the homes to resist both wind and snow, requiring very little upkeep.
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Weather-proof lodges, Ryfylke, Norway
Inside, the wooden cabins incorporate plenty of natural materials for a warm and cosy vibe. Scandinavian furnishings offer a pared-back, contemporary finish, while extensive glass allows for incredible panoramic vistas. Water is supplied from the lake and solar-powered lighting allows hikers to find their way back in the dark.
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Off-grid desert house, Baja California Sur, Mexico
This majestic house lies in the extreme desert climate of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Described by its architects as a modernist pavilion, the spectacular home was designed to withstand a truly intense climate.
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Off-grid desert house, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Covering 2,400 square feet, the property was designed by Leckie Studio Architecture and sits in a rocky alcove, with a volcanic mountain ridge to the west and the Sea of Cortez lying to the south.
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Off-grid desert house, Baja California Sur, Mexico
The awesome off-grid home boasts a unique façade, with a rectangular design and white walls that reflect the powerful sun. A cleverly designed southwest-facing wall was erected in order to absorb intense solar glare, preventing heat from entering the property’s bedrooms and acting as an effective ventilation system to keep the home cool.
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Off-grid desert house, Baja California Sur, Mexico
The elegant property sits on a sloping plot and was constructed from reinforced concrete insulation panels. The building was sited in the perfect position to avoid the peak glare of the sun, whilst also drawing in the prevailing sea breeze.
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Prefabricated eco-home, Colorado, USA
During the spring, Colorado suffers from intense winds and extreme, changeable weather. From blizzards to dramatic temperature fluctuations, the landscape of this rugged state is as unpredictable as it is attractive.
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Prefabricated eco-home, Colorado, USA
Built in a stark rural landscape overlooking the Rocky Mountains, this prefabricated home proves that style needn’t take a backseat when you’re designing a tough and durable building.
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Prefabricated eco-home, Colorado, USA
This sustainable home offers insulated timber walls, with overlapping eaves to protect the property from extreme weather. Ultra-thick windows and doors plus a heat-insulated basement mean that the home can withstand virtually anything Mother Nature throws its way.
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Prefabricated eco-home, Colorado, USA
Custom-built by WeberHaus, the eco home has a rainwater harvesting system, which recycles rain for domestic use and uses solar power to produce hot water. Best of all, the home is topped by an enchanting roof terrace, framing uninterrupted views across the mountains.
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Earthquake-resistant home, Christchurch, New Zealand
Designed for a family who lost their former home in the 2012 Canterbury earthquake, this contemporary property is designed to survive the most extreme of natural disasters. Curated by the team at Architects’ Creative and known as Ophir, the property is anchored to its plot and offers a material palette of concrete, black zinc and cedar.
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Earthquake-resistant home, Christchurch, New Zealand
Located on a hillside above Christchurch in New Zealand, the highly robust home has an exposed steel frame and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow plenty of natural light to pour into the living zones. The contemporary furniture and earthy colour scheme reflect the home’s rural setting; think warm timber surfaces, minimalist living spaces and bespoke fittings including oak sliding doors.
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Earthquake-resistant home, Christchurch, New Zealand
Occupying a single storey, the interior spans a generous 3,831 square feet and features a kitchen, a bathroom, several bedrooms and an open-plan lounge that connects to a striking outdoor terrace. Plywood sheets line the ceilings and walls, while endless swathes of glass, including cleverly placed skylights, create bright and airy rooms.
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Earthquake-resistant home, Christchurch, New Zealand
Designed to be self-sufficient, the house was orientated for maximum solar gain and ventilation, meaning the interior can maintain a consistent temperature no matter what the weather is doing inside. Plus, thanks to endless wall-to-wall windows, the lucky occupier can also enjoy expansive views all the way to the Southern Alps. Completed in 2015, Ophir was crowned the winner of the 2016 NZIA Canterbury Architecture Award for its innovative design.
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Varden cabin, Hammerfest, Norway
Perched on Storfjellet mountain in the wilds of southwestern Norway, this breathtaking hiking cabin was designed by Spinn Arkitekter for The Norwegian Trekking Association. Featuring a faceted wooden façade, the domed structure reflects the surrounding Arctic landscape, camouflaging it within the rocky terrain.
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Varden cabin, Hammerfest, Norway
Incredibly, the structure contains 77 unique timber panels that slot together like a 3D puzzle to form the exterior shell. Inside, the snug cabin offers 161 square feet of space framed by warm wood. At the centre of the room sits a vast angular window that frames the spectacular rugged vistas below.
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Varden cabin, Hammerfest, Norway
A refuge for weary hikers, wooden benches have been built into the walls of the structure, while tables and stools provide the perfect place to eat and recharge. With no artificial light, climbers have to rely on the wood-fired stove and lanterns for illumination.
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Varden cabin, Hammerfest, Norway
To protect the snug mountain cabin from snow, the front door is recessed, accessed via a small deck tucked beneath the roof. The distinctive design was tested against a wind simulator to ensure it could withstand the weather conditions on the mountain before being transported to the site.
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