Avoiding floods and staying cool – stylishly

One of the things I enjoy most when traveling is observing how residential architecture adapts to its environment—often in ways that differ significantly from what we see in the UK.

On our recent trip to North Carolina, I was particularly struck by the homes along the Outer Banks. These coastal properties are typically raised well above ground level, a design response to the region’s vulnerability to hurricanes, storm surges, and flooding. By elevating the living spaces, architects and builders not only mitigate flood risk but also improve air circulation beneath the home, which helps with cooling in the hot summer months.

It’s a fascinating reminder of how architecture is shaped by local climate, geography, and culture. Where in the UK we often design around rain and insulation, here the emphasis is on resilience, elevation, and airflow.

For me, it highlights a broader lesson: whether in architecture, design, or business, the best solutions are rarely “one-size-fits-all.” Instead, the most successful approaches respond thoughtfully to the specific environment and challenges they face.

#Architecture #DesignThinking #ResilientDesign #OuterBanks #SustainableArchitecture