160 - Designing Homes for Extreme Weather & Natural Disasters

How do you design a home for floods, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, or ice storms? In this episode, Steve, Jake, and Pete explore what it really means to build for extreme events—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.Drawing from real-world experience, Steve and Jake discuss how high-performance homes can be adapted to withstand the specific hazards of a site’s climate and geography. From flood-resistant foundations and safe rooms to wildfire resilience and high-wind detailing, the conversation focuses on matching building strategies to the level of protection each client wants to achieve.The discussion also highlights an important philosophy: building professionals aren’t there to judge a client’s concerns—they’re there to understand the risks, explain the tradeoffs, and design solutions that meet the client’s goals.Whether you’re building in a floodplain, earthquake zone, hurricane corridor, or wildfire-prone area, this episode explores the principles behind resilient, durable homes designed for the unexpected.Pete’s Resources:FEMA Breakaway Walls GuidanceFEMA Safe Room Design GuideFEMA Flood Openings in Foundation WallsSimpson Strong-Tie High Wind Construction GuideFamilySafe Storm SheltersIBHS Home Disaster Guides