Can architecture brace itself during the Polar Vortex? Here are 5 examples of structures designed to withstand freezing temperatures

2019-02-03T10:49:00-05:00

There's no way to sugar coat it, the Polar Vortex of 2019 has aggressively hit various parts of the world. As people have braced themselves for the cold and frigid temperatures, how does the harsh cold remind us of building more resilient structures? Chicago and many other areas in the U.S. have made headlines with its reaction to the Polar Vortex. Photos and videos of snow covered roads, icicle buildings, and frozen bodies of water have graced the media. Although these record-setting temperatures in the Midwest have made a substantial impact on several people, the solution to designing thermal resilient structures is nothing new in the world of architecture.

Several architects and designers have constructed buildings that were made to withstand some of the most extreme temperatures. Places that are prone to the cold like Antarctica and Norway are home to several structures built to withstand such extremes. Below are 5 examples and descriptions of buildings that can brace the cold.

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Last year was the warmest since (at least) 1880

2016-01-20T13:32:00-05:00

Last year was the Earth's warmest since record-keeping began in 1880, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA said Wednesday. It's been clear for quite some time that 2015 would steal the distinction of the hottest year from 2014, with 10 out of the 12 months last year being the warmest respective months on record -- and those records go back 136 years.

The news that 2015 was the warmest year on record didn't exactly take climate scientist by surprise. But what is startling is by just how much: the average global temperature was 1.62˚F above the 20th century average.

December, in particular, reached new heights of heat, becoming the first month to ever exceed temperature averages by 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to reports, El Niño played a significant role in bringing up temperatures. It's still bearing down on the Western US right now – although not yet dumping enough precipitation to rescue California from its historic drought.

In other weather news, the East Coast is about to receive some heavy snow. Early predictions suggest this could be one of the biggest snowstorms in history.

While unusual and severe weather events comprise perhaps the most visible – and dangerous – effects of global climate change, they have been frequently co-opted by certain American politicians in the last few years to deny the reality of anthropogenic g...

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Can architecture brace itself during the Polar Vortex? Here are 5 examples of structures designed to withstand freezing temperatures

Last year was the warmest since (at least) 1880