South Carolina’s coastal location makes it particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding. Over the years, architects and planners have worked to design buildings and communities that are not only beautiful but also resilient to natural disasters. The importance of resilient design became especially apparent after devastating hurricanes, such as Hugo in 1989, Florence in 2018, and most recently, Helene in 2024.

Resilient architecture involves building structures that can withstand extreme weather while also creating adaptable and sustainable spaces. In coastal areas like Charleston, new homes and buildings are often elevated on stilts to avoid floodwaters. Materials like reinforced concrete and hurricane-resistant windows have become standard in new construction, ensuring buildings can endure high winds and water damage.

Resilience also means rethinking urban planning. In places like the Charleston Historic District, architects and preservationists have worked to retrofit historic buildings with modern protections against flooding while maintaining their historical integrity. These efforts protect South Carolina’s architectural heritage and ensure communities can recover more quickly from disasters.

As climate change affects weather patterns, resilient design will be increasingly important in shaping South Carolina’s future architecture.

For more on this topic, see: Charleston Resilience Planning

Flooding in Charleston, SC