We can all agree that building codes are an important function of the built environment. While the scope and complexity of local codes has and continues to evolve, there’s value in maintaining a strong base level of safety.

Building codes have significantly reduced the number of fatalities and injuries caused by structural failures and natural emergencies over the decades. Saving lives is an obvious win, but more and more livelihoods are being compromised as communities struggle to bounce back after disaster strikes.

Climate events have grown fiercer, and more frequent, leaving an unprecedented wake of property damage, economic disruption, and infrastructure loss. The rising value of coastal and urban properties has also pushed insurance premiums and repair costs out of reach for many Americans.

Designing structures that prioritize safety and resilience is paramount. The catch, however, is that we must also maintain affordability. The ideal solution must balance the dichotomy between dollars and durability. Block gives builders the best of both worlds: exceptional resistance to fire, flood, fierce winds, and debris with the flexibility to create spaces that appeal to any budget. Frank Lloyd Wright said it best: "Form follows function—that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union."

Our Best Offense is Defense

The concept of defensive architecture first proliferated during the Cold War when buildings were reinforced against nuclear threats. More recently, events like Hurricane Andrew (1992) and Hurricane Katrina (2005) underscored the importance of improved building codes and a renewed emphasis on passive, always-on design strategies.

Every U.S. region faces unique climate challenges that threaten peoples’ way of life. FEMA's National Risk Index is a valuable tool that helps assess and address vulnerabilities, enabling communities to take proactive steps toward resilience.

Perhaps the biggest misconception is that true resilience can only be achieved by incurring a hefty cost. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety estimates that the costs associated with its FORTIFIED home certification are merely 3-10% higher than building to minimum code requirements—a far cry from the cost of rebuilding altogether.

The protections most of us would prefer during an emergency aren’t always required by code, but they come standard with concrete masonry:

  • Robustness and mass
  • Impact resistance
  • Noncombustible
  • Resistant to water damage and corrosion
  • Inhibits mold and mildew
  • Structural redundancy

Resilience will never be a one-size-fits-all proposition. Every project comes with its own unique circumstances and measures of success. Remember that building codes were never intended to be the end-all, be-all, but rather a tool for minimum quality assurance.

As you are inevitably called upon for resilient designs, know that concrete masonry units (CMU) are an indispensable component in achieving these goals effectively and efficiently. To learn more about the unmatched durability of concrete masonry or to speak with a design expert, visit beautyofblock.com.