Every year, extreme weather events intensify, devastating communities and displacing families. Homeowners and landlords in the U.S. face an escalating challenge: how to protect properties from increasingly frequent and powerful storms.
While modern technology offers hurricane-resistant windows and reinforced roofing, the real secret to storm-proof housing might not be found in high-tech materials—but in centuries-old indigenous architecture.
Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, has been battered by typhoons for centuries. Yet, the Ivatan people have mastered the art of storm-resistant housing. Their low-profile, thick-walled stone houses with aerodynamic thatched roofs have allowed them to weather extreme winds of 150+ mph year after year.
With hurricanes in the U.S. causing billions in damages annually, what can American homeowners and builders learn from the Ivatan way of building? Let’s explore how ancient wisdom is influencing modern storm-resistant housing.
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Both Batanes and storm-prone areas in the U.S. (Florida, Texas, Louisiana, the Carolinas) face similar threats:
Batanes: Regular typhoons bring high winds, torrential rain, and coastal flooding.
U.S. Coastal States: Hurricanes, tornadoes, and storm surges regularly cause mass destruction.
Despite these similarities, homes in Batanes consistently withstand storms better than many modern homes in the U.S. The reason? They are built with resilience in mind from the very start.
Thick Coral & Limestone Walls
Absorb strong winds and prevent structural collapse.
How you can apply this: Reinforced concrete or hurricane-resistant materials.
Cogon Grass Roofs (Aerodynamic Design)
Lightweight yet secure, reducing wind resistance and preventing lift-off.
How you can apply this: Hurricane ties, reinforced shingles, and wind-resistant roofing systems.
Small Windows, Thick Wooden Shutters
Prevent wind pressure from lifting roofs off homes.
How you can apply this: Impact-resistant windows, storm shutters, and reinforced entry points.
Low, Compact Home Design
Reduces wind exposure and prevents structural failure.
How you can apply this: Stronger foundations, modular storm-resistant structures.
These architectural choices have kept Ivatan homes standing for generations. The key takeaway? Build for resilience, not just aesthetics.
The goal isn’t to replicate Ivatan stone houses across the U.S., but to apply their principles using modern materials. Here’s how:
ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) instead of wood framing to resist high winds.
Reinforced cinder blocks, steel framing, and fiber cement siding.
Install hurricane ties to secure roofs from uplift.
Use aerodynamic roofing designs like sloped or hip roofs instead of flat ones.
Elevate homes in flood-prone areas (like Ivatan elevated structures).
Utilize waterproof sealants, flood vents, and raised foundation designs.
Trees and vegetation serve as natural windbreaks.
Permeable driveways and rain gardens prevent water from pooling and causing flood damage.
By integrating these strategies, homeowners can drastically reduce the risk of storm-related damage.
For landlords & real estate investors, storm-proofing is not just about safety—it’s also a financially smart move:
✔ Higher property value in storm-prone areas.
✔ Lower insurance premiums for fortified homes.
✔ Longer tenancy & reduced repair costs.
For homeowners and homebuyers, resilient housing means:
✔ Fewer repair costs after major storms.
✔ Peace of mind knowing your home is built to last.
✔ A safer environment for your family.
Henge is working to make home resilience more accessible, whether through data-driven risk assessments or practical retrofitting solutions. Let’s build and maintain smarter, learning from the past to protect our future.
Storm-proof housing isn’t just about technology—it’s about learning from history. The Ivatans of Batanes have spent generations perfecting storm-resistant design, and their principles are influencing modern hurricane-proof homes worldwide.
From wind-resistant materials to smarter foundations and landscaping, homeowners and landlords can take action now to safeguard their properties from extreme weather.