Homeowners can now access free architectural drawings, construction specifications and handbooks for house designs that are highly resilient to bushfires, floods, storms, heatwaves and cyclones. Known as the FORTIS House project and led by the Bushfire Building Council of Australia, in partnership with NRMA Insurance and the Shoalhaven City Council, JDA Co. was among the climate resilience experts who contributed to this vital initiative.

Our design features a protective outer shell that can be completely closed to provide disaster resilience, energy efficiency, ventilation and security. Naturally, the prefabrication option also helps reduce building waste. A prefabricated FORTIS House can be built in 12 weeks — fast-tracking recovery.

Our design team relished the opportunity to collaborate with scientists, engineers, builders and researchers, all driven to deliver a truly resilient system for the FORTIS House project. That system encompasses the design, construction, landscaping, emergency planning, storage of materials and services.

We also had the good fortune of working closely with the Shoalhaven community. Our Principal, James Davidson shared these insights about the collaboration: “The community-led design process produced wonderful insights into how we can design resilience into everyday living. Community preferences for colours and materials, light, function, flexibility and connection to place were central to the FORTIS House design approach. We have always adapted to survive and FORTIS House gives all Australians practical solutions to not just adapt and survive, but to thrive.”

The FORTIS House resources are available here