Designing for resilience: Architects address shocks and stresses

Each community and building site faces a unique set of challenges due to the force of acute shocks and chronic stresses. Shocks are the hazard events typically associated with large scale disasters. Stresses are the gradual and perpetual disruptions that often reduce a community’s ability to recover when shocks strike.

Some more relevant to the profession of architecture than others, the complex challenges of shocks and stresses affect the built, social, and natural environments. Architects are uniquely positioned to develop innovative approaches to balancing the needs of each of these systems and ultimately improving our nation’s resilience.

The Designing for Resilience reference sheet helps architects, allied design professionals, and the public understand the architect’s transferable skills that contribute to enhancing the resilience of a community by addressing a wide range of shocks and stresses; ultimately advancing the health, wellness, and safety of those living within it.