can go underground in the event of a storm
What has been a terrible problem for much of the
country, especially in the Midwest, is the issue of tornado’s and
their threat to not only our homes but our lives. With these super
storms literally tearing apart neighborhoods, farms and more for
centuries, it is rather perplexing that special measures have not
taken place to design homes that are better suited to withstand
these ferocious storms; until now.
A Hong-Kong-based architectural firm known as 10
Design has been actively perfecting the ultimate tornado proof
house which could become available for sale in the next two years.
Utilizing the latest in hydraulics, solar power, and a high
performance shell, these homes are able to be lowered into the
ground when danger strikes and a storm is approaching. Initially
targeted for the tornado zones in the Midwest area of the United
States, this suburban neighborhood concept is also envisioned to
enter the Philippines and Malibu markets where there are threats of
typhoons and fires, respectively. Already specific locations of
Nebraska and South Carolina have been secured to test the first
prototypes once they have been completed.
Ted Givens, a design partner at 10 Design was reached
for comment and was quoted as saying, “I believe there’s a
responsibility among architects to design buildings that are aware
of their own natural surroundings. There’s nothing accidental about
these storms they’re going to come and the buildings should be
responsive.” Part of the inspiration with the design and
functionality of the project for these homes came from the kinetic
motion used in portable campers, sailboat hulls, and garage doors
interestingly enough. Once the home is secured beneath the ground
by the hydraulic levers, it is sealed tight by a concrete roof
which eliminates any possibility of wind, fire or water entering.
Furthermore, the sensory data in the home can sense when storms are
approaching and also have the ability to communicate and warn other
homes in the area.
Givens went on to state that, “They will cost a bit
more, but if you look at the replacement value of a house and lives
[saved], it will be well worth it. Thus far estimations as to the
price of these homes is around $300,000, although Givens admits
this may drop once the design is further simplified and as more are
built. The engineering firm Buro-Happold is in negotiations with 10
Design to partner up on the project. Together, they look to build
these homes which will all be roughly 900 square feet in size with
400 additional square feet being found underground for storage
space and gardens. It is not just 10 Design who is trying to
develop a prototype to protect against storms, as Givens furthered
his discussion by saying, “There’s one Chinese manufacturer that’s
actually built a few prototypes of his own. He’s doing these steel
boxes so we’re trying to hybridize that into something together.
It’s still a fluid process of developing the design and then trying
to secure the funding, but there are a lot of entrepreneurs out
there that are quite interested.”
It is still up in the air as to when these homes will truly be
in production for the greater population and if they will even be
living spaces that the public will want to live in. Regardless, it
is a wonderful realization that firms are now able to use todays
improving technology to take advantage of a concept as such which
has been envisioned for decades. A shelter that provides a
luxurious lifestyle that can save ones home, valuable possessions
and even their life; now that sounds like a concept for the future
that is destined to succeed.
More Information: Weather.com