INTERVIEW: With Bridgette Meinhold, Author of ‘Urgent Architecture’

When <a href="http://www.bridgettemeinhold.com/">artist</a>, engineer and former Inhabitat <a href="http://inhabitat.com/author/bridgette/">Architecture Editor</a>, <a href="http://www.bridgettemeinhold.com/"> Bridgette Meinhold</a>, heard about the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and the massive devastation it caused, she wanted to help, and was drawn to start investigating different options for temporary shelters and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/disaster-relief/">disaster relief</a> housing. This exploration gradually broadened to a larger focus on design for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/disaster-proof-design/">disaster-preparedness</a>; seeking out what type of shelters can best withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, rising sea levels and tornados. Now I'm thrilled to say that after years of research, Bridgette has just published an incredible new book entitled <em><a href="http://inhabitat.com/book-review-bridgette-meinholds-urgent-architecture-showcases-40-sustainable-housing-solutions-for-a-changing-world/">Urgent Architecture: 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World</a></em>. <em>Urgent Architecture</em> showcases inspiring and innovative ideas for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/disaster-proof-design/">resilient design</a> - design that will withstand the test of time - surviving climate change, rising sea levels, manmade and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/disaster-proof-design/">natural disasters</a>. I recently had a chance to interview Bridgette about her new book at <a href="http://inhabitat.com">Inhabitat</a> HQ in <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/nyc">NYC</a>, and she gave me some fascinating insight into her inspiration for the book, the impact <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=climate+change">climate change</a> will have on future housing and what she believes is necessary to create a more sustainable and responsive built landscape. Watch the video above for the interview, and if you want to learn more, you can get your own copy of <em>Urgent Architecture</em> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Urgent-Architecture-Sustainable-Solutions-Changing/dp/0393733580">here</a>.

The Watervilla IJburg is a prototype for a floating house, designed by architect <a href="http://inhabitat.com/interview-koen-olthius-of-waterstudionl/">Koen Olthuis</a>. Designed to withstand rising water levels, as is common occurrence in the Netherlands, the Watervilla rises up and down with the tides, just like a houseboat!

The Porchdog House was designed in response to Hurricane Katrina's devastation of the Gulf Coast. The home is designed to withstand Hurricane winds and storm surges.

The PAKSBAB Straw Bale Earthquake Resistant Home was designed for Pakistan Earthquake relief. Straw Bale is an incredibly economical, widely available building material in Pakistan which also happens to be perfect for earthquake-prone areas as it can withstand shaking and doesn't lead to the same kind of devastation and loss of life as crumbling clay, brick or concrete buildings.

PAKSBAB Straw Bale Earthquake Resistant Home - designed for Pakistan Earthquake relief

PAKSBAB Straw Bale Earthquake Resistant Home - designed for Pakistan Earthquake relief

The Gabion House in Croix des Bouquets, Port au Prince, Haiti uses cinderblock rubble taken from the 2010 earthquake and repurposes the material more durable, earthquake-proof building blocks known as 'modified' gabion baskets.

Malibu Studio

Steel Elements Shelter

Yurts have been around for centuries and have recently made their way into Western culture. The beauty of these structures is that they can easily be dismantled and moved.

Pallet constructions continue to grow in popularity. Pallets can be found just about anywhere in the world and usually for free—they've become a universal building block of sorts.

Windcatcher House

The Lift House in Dhaka, Bangladesh is designed by Prithula Prosun. The design is centered around a brick core that is flanked by two reed and bamboo structures. During heavy flooding, the two wood structure raise up from the ground and only settle back onto the ground when waters recede.

The Lift House mechanical system.

When <a href="http://www.bridgettemeinhold.com/">artist</a>, engineer and former Inhabitat <a href="http://inhabitat.com/author/bridgette/">Architecture Editor</a>, <a href="http://www.bridgettemeinhold.com/"> Bridgette Meinhold</a>, heard about the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and the massive devastation it caused, she wanted to help, and was drawn to start investigating different options for temporary shelters and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/disaster-relief/">disaster relief</a> housing. This exploration gradually broadened to a larger focus on design for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/disaster-proof-design/">disaster-preparedness</a>; seeking out what type of shelters can best withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, rising sea levels and tornados. Now I'm thrilled to say that after years of research, Bridgette has just published an incredible new book entitled <em><a href="http://inhabitat.com/book-review-bridgette-meinholds-urgent-architecture-showcases-40-sustainable-housing-solutions-for-a-changing-world/">Urgent Architecture: 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World</a></em>. <em>Urgent Architecture</em> showcases inspiring and innovative ideas for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/disaster-proof-design/">resilient design</a> - design that will withstand the test of time - surviving climate change, rising sea levels, manmade and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/disaster-proof-design/">natural disasters</a>. I recently had a chance to interview Bridgette about her new book at <a href="http://inhabitat.com">Inhabitat</a> HQ in <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/nyc">NYC</a>, and she gave me some fascinating insight into her inspiration for the book, the impact <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=climate+change">climate change</a> will have on future housing and what she believes is necessary to create a more sustainable and responsive built landscape. Watch the video above for the interview, and if you want to learn more, you can get your own copy of <em>Urgent Architecture</em> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Urgent-Architecture-Sustainable-Solutions-Changing/dp/0393733580">here</a>.