Resilient Design
House designed for a FEMA V Zone flood designation
Much of the Pacific Rim is subject to tsunami events after an earthquake. The Tsunami House is located on a level waterfront site in the Puget Sound of Washington State.
This FEMA V Zone location has the potential to be impacted by a significant earthquake and tsunami wave.
To be able to withstand the dynamic forces an earthquake and tsunami wave, this project was designed with a heavy 30” thick mat foundation and architecturally expressed concrete piers tied to the mat foundation.
The Challenge
All living space is located above the first floor 100-year flood level.
Using plastic screws, the first level walls are designed to breakaway when impacted by a high velocity wave.
This allows water to pass under the upper-level living space during the wave surge.
The house is clad in a combination of low maintenance standing seam metal and phenolic panels.
