Building a home that can withstand extreme environments is far from straightforward. Whether it's a searing desert plain or a below-zero Arctic snowfield, only the most robust of properties can stand the test of time in such challenging climates.
From innovative homes designed to survive ferocious bushfires to robust structures that can resist hurricanes, tsunamis and even earthquakes, these are the world's most resilient residences.
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This unique round house offers safety and protection against extreme weather. The hurricane-resistant property was designed by the team at Deltec Homes, who've spent the past 50 years constructing dwellings that can stand up to 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.
Designed to have a low impact on the environment, this custom 4,340-square-foot (403sqm) property is spacious as well as strong. Spanning two floors, it features a mud room, 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.
Every Deltec house boasts factory-installed windows, which create a tighter wind and water resistant connection.
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!
With several models and house sizes to choose from, each Deltec home comes with a protection guarantee. 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.
The shell of this custom creation, named the 'Net Zero Dream', cost between £289,600 ($370k) and £395,300 ($505k), and the estimated total build came in at £1 million ($1.3m) to £1.4 million ($1.8m).
From hurricanes to tsunamis, positioned in an extreme flood zone on Camano Island, Washington, 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.
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, floor-to-ceiling glazing and funky accessories.
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'.
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 (18.5sqm) sleeping loft that faces the water.
Durable and low-maintenance, the exterior is clad in metal and Vivix siding (a lightweight rainscreen cladding) 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.
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.
With the climate crisis producing hotter, drier conditions, it’s becoming more important than ever to design for bushfires before they "become more intense and even harder to control", reports news network CNN.
This modernist masterpiece, designed by architects Ian Weir and Kylie Feher, was conceived to survive even the most extreme bushfires that regularly sweep across Western 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.
The house conserves and celebrates its unique setting by prioritising bushfire resilience above vegetation clearing, which has, in the past, given homeowners a false sense of security.
"People might not even smell the smoke, and suddenly their immediate landscape around the building is on fire," says Ian, who stresses the importance of clever design.
Industrial-grade materials have been used in the construction to withstand a Bushfire Attack Level of BAL-40, one of the highest measures possible.
The modern 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. The property is 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, and is living proof that a fire-resistant home doesn't have to resemble a bunker.
It is also very affordable. According to the British newspaper The Guardian, the house cost about AU$500,000, which is around £234,200 ($300k), with only about 5% of the budget going towards satisfying one of the highest fire standards, the BAL-40. This requires buildings to be protected from burning debris and windborne embers, plus some direct flame exposure.
Designed to suit even the most inhospitable parts of North America, this attractive round house has more to offer than style.
Also created by Deltec Homes, the single-storey dwelling offers 1,496 square feet (139sqm) of inside space and an exterior that's capable of surviving extreme storms and even hurricane-force winds. Impressive!
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. Fives 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 aspect of the house, from the painted siding to the windows, can be customised to suit the individual owner and their chosen plot. So no house need look the same.
Every single space in this chic home is bright and airy, thanks to a subtle colour scheme, natural building materials and ample windows.
Deltec's signature 1,166-square-foot (108.3sqm) Haven base shell with a Level 1 Hurricane Package comes in at just £70,500 ($90.3k), while a similar custom home will set you back around £94,100 ($120.5k).
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?
The following homes may look precarious, but we can assure you of their safety. 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 northernmost region of Norway.
Positioned in the heart of the Arctic Circle, building here presented numerous challenges for the project's designers, TYIN Tegnestue Architects. Not least the freezing temperatures.
Conceived by jazz musician and composer Håvard Lund, he wanted the homes to be 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.
Lund wanted to create a beautiful workspace where artists could meet, escape and be inspired by the landscape.
The cluster of cabins offers a 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.
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...
In the Gorafe Desert in Andalusia, in one of Europe's most severe and ruthless environments, the Glass Pavilion is a unique building set against one of Spain's most stunning landscapes.
A stargazer's paradise, it was created to provide visitors with a comfortable refuge where they could immerse themselves in their natural surroundings despite the harsh conditions outside.
The impressive glass structure was designed by the Slovenian studio OFIS Arhitekti to withstand extreme heat and solar glare, with temperatures in this part of the world peaking at over 40°C (106°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.
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. And if you desire privacy or a little more shade, curtains suspended from tracks are integrated into the edges of the roof.
The property's roof is made from timber and cleverly 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!
From the desert to the rugged wilderness of Vancouver, Canada, our next house was designed to be erected in a similar way to IKEA furniture.
Simple and effective, this petite property with a distinctive black façade blends into the surrounding rocks and woodlands, making it the perfect escape for its owners.
Designed by The Backcountry Hut Company, the sleek flat-pack home is both affordable and sustainable, so it doesn't take a toll on the environment or your wallet. Blackcountry specifically created their homes to offer an efficient housing solution for locations that are wild or difficult to reach.
And considering the weather in Vancouver can range from wet and windy to heavy snow, you need a home that offers shelter and comfort.
Premade in a factory and assembled on-site in less than 24 hours, this forest hut benefits from a modular, prefabricated shell that's highly energy-efficient and airtight, meaning the intense Canadian winds are kept firmly outside!
The cabin's elegant timber shell is crafted from FSC-certified lumber, and then the exterior of the hut is clad in metal, making it extremely durable no matter the weather.
The homes are a blank canvas when they are delivered, so it's also an opportunity for creativity when it comes to decorating inside. The interior shell features 100% recyclable materials for a zero-waste finish.
While this home is in Canada, Backcountry hopes to spread its homes far and wide. By the end of 2024, the company had shipped over 80 systems across North America alone.
Another woodland location, this gorgeous wooden cabin in the idyllic landscape of Kanji Dol, Slovenia, is the perfect retreat to escape the rat race.
Designed by architects studio PIKAPLUS, the property was created as a shelter to withstand the region's harsh weather conditions. Slovenia experienced some of its heaviest rains in August 2023, with Greenpeace reporting damage to two-thirds of the country.
To weather the storm, 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. The design is simple, as the surrounding environment is the real star, with dense trees surrounding the peaceful home.
Sitting entirely exposed in a beautiful clearing at the heart of rich woodlands, the cabin covers just 82 square feet (7.6sqm), although it feels much larger, and has won numerous awards for its stylish, sustainable design.
Owned by a Slovenian family for regular escapes, the interior is exceptional...
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.
Comfortably sleeping four people, the idyllic woodland cabin proves that an all-weather home can be stylish, too!
Moving from a family home to a resting place for all, these unique weather-proof cabins lie on the picture-perfect Rogaland hiking trail in Soddatjørn, Norway. Its 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.
In 2013, the Norwegian Tourism Association held an architectural competition to construct self-catering mountain lodges for the hiking trail around Lysefjord and on the rocky shores of the Soddatjørn Mountain Lake.
One of the winning designs was these stunning weather-proof lodges by KOKO Architects. Commissioned by the Stavanger Trekking Association as accommodation for walkers embarking on this gorgeous mountain pass, the cabins are the epitome of rustic-chic.
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.
Known as Skåpet Mountain Village, 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. The mountain lodges were opened to all visitors and hikers in August 2016 and have been going strong ever since.
It may look like your regular luxury home, but this three-storey house in Boulder, Colorado, has hidden strengths. Whether it's blizzards or tornadoes, powerful storms or winds, no Big Bad Wolf is going to blow this house down!
As well as possessing cutting-edge eco-friendly credentials, the house was designed to withstand the severe weather conditions that are the norm in this part of the state.
Built in a stark rural landscape overlooking the Rocky Mountains, the prefabricated home proves that style needn't take a backseat when you're designing a tough and durable building.
Neither do its owners need to compromise their environmentally-aware principles to live in the lap of luxury.
Custom-built by WeberHaus, the eco home was engineered using wood from consciously-managed 300-year-old forests at a factory which has precision processes and climate control overseen by car manufacturer Porsche, say reports.
It has a rainwater harvesting system, which recycles rain for domestic use and generates almost enough solar power to be considered a passive house (ultra-low energy buildings that require minimal energy for heating or cooling).
The 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.
And, best of all, the home is topped by an enchanting roof terrace, framing uninterrupted views across the mountains. When can we move in?
Perched on Storfjellet mountain with a view of Hammerfest, the northernmost town in the world, 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.
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 (15sqm) of space framed by warm wood. At the centre of the room sits a vast angular window that frames the spectacular rugged vistas below.
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.
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. So you can sit back and enjoy the view!
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