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How these round homes survive hurricanes | CNN
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Published in House and Home on Friday, July 25th 2025 at 10:51 GMT by CNN🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Hurricanes are becoming more frequent and more destructive. One company, Deltec Homes, is offering a solution by building round, aerodynamic, hurricane-resistant houses. The director of engineering breaks down how they do it.
The Rise of Round, Hurricane-Proof Homes: A Design Revolution for Storm-Prone Regions
In an era where climate change is intensifying hurricanes and extreme weather events, innovative architecture is stepping up to meet the challenge. A recent CNN Style video delves into the fascinating world of round, hurricane-proof homes, exploring how their unique circular design offers superior resilience against nature's fury. These structures, often resembling futuristic domes or cylinders, are not just aesthetic novelties but engineered solutions that could redefine housing in vulnerable coastal areas. From the windswept shores of Florida to the typhoon-battered islands of the Pacific, round homes are gaining traction as a practical response to escalating storm threats.
The core principle behind these homes lies in their shape. Traditional rectangular houses, with their flat walls and sharp corners, act like sails in high winds, catching gusts and creating pressure points that can lead to structural failure. In contrast, round homes harness aerodynamics to their advantage. Winds flow smoothly around the curved surfaces, reducing drag and minimizing the force exerted on the building. This concept draws inspiration from nature—think of how a tree trunk or a pebble withstands erosion better than a jagged rock. Engineers featured in the video explain that this design can withstand winds up to 200 miles per hour, far exceeding the capabilities of standard homes. One expert, a structural engineer from the University of Miami's hurricane research lab, likens it to an airplane wing: "The curve deflects the wind, distributing the load evenly rather than concentrating it on weak spots."
But it's not just the shape that makes these homes hurricane-proof. Advanced materials play a crucial role. Many are constructed using reinforced concrete, fiberglass composites, or even geopolymer materials that are both lightweight and incredibly durable. The video highlights a prototype in Texas, where walls are made from a foam-core concrete blend that absorbs impacts like a sponge, preventing cracks during debris strikes. Roofs are often domed and seamless, eliminating the vulnerabilities of traditional pitched roofs that can be peeled off by updrafts. Inside, the homes incorporate flexible joints and shock-absorbing foundations that allow the structure to sway slightly without collapsing, much like skyscrapers in earthquake zones.
The video takes viewers on a virtual tour of several real-world examples. One standout is the Deltec Homes series, a company based in North Carolina that has been pioneering round homes since the 1960s. Their designs have survived some of the most devastating storms in recent history, including Hurricane Michael in 2018, which obliterated neighboring structures while leaving Deltec homes intact. Owners share testimonials, describing how their homes emerged unscathed from 150 mph winds, with only minor cosmetic damage. "It was like being inside a fortress," one resident recounts, emphasizing the peace of mind that comes with such resilience.
Beyond wind resistance, these homes address other hurricane hazards. Flooding, a common companion to high winds, is mitigated through elevated foundations or floating base systems in some models. The circular layout also promotes energy efficiency—natural ventilation flows more effectively, reducing the need for air conditioning in hot climates. Solar panels integrated into the curved roofs generate power, ensuring self-sufficiency during outages. The video points out that in post-storm recovery, these homes require far less rebuilding, cutting down on waste and environmental impact. This aligns with sustainable building trends, where durability translates to lower long-term carbon footprints.
Historically, the idea of round homes isn't new. Indigenous cultures, such as the Native American hogans or African rondavels, have long used circular designs for their stability and harmony with the environment. Modern iterations build on this wisdom, incorporating cutting-edge technology. The video traces the evolution from Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes in the mid-20th century to today's smart homes equipped with AI-monitored sensors that detect structural stress in real-time. Fuller's vision was utopian—efficient, affordable housing for all—but today's versions are practical necessities driven by climate realities.
Experts in the video discuss the science in depth. Wind tunnel tests conducted at facilities like those at Clemson University demonstrate how round homes experience up to 30% less wind load compared to square ones. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations show airflow patterns, revealing how vortices form around edges in traditional homes, leading to uplift forces that rip off roofs. In round designs, these vortices are dissipated, creating a "slipstream" effect. This isn't just theoretical; data from post-hurricane analyses, such as after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, show that non-traditional shapes fared better in survival rates.
Of course, no innovation is without challenges. Cost is a significant barrier—these homes can be 20-50% more expensive to build than standard ones due to specialized materials and engineering. The video addresses this, noting that prices are dropping as demand grows and mass production ramps up. Companies like Monolithic Dome Institute are pushing for affordability, offering kits that homeowners can assemble with minimal labor. Aesthetic preferences also play a role; not everyone warms to the "spaceship" look, though customizable exteriors are helping blend them into neighborhoods.
The human element shines through in personal stories. A family in Puerto Rico, rebuilding after Hurricane Maria in 2017, chose a round home for its promise of safety. "We lost everything once," the mother says. "Now, we sleep soundly knowing the next storm won't take our home." Architects argue that this design fosters community resilience too—clusters of round homes can form wind-resistant villages, sharing resources like communal generators.
Looking ahead, the video speculates on the future of hurricane-proof architecture. With predictions of more frequent Category 5 storms due to warming oceans, round homes could become standard in building codes for high-risk zones. Innovations like 3D-printed components are accelerating construction, potentially making them viable for rapid deployment in disaster recovery. International applications are explored, from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia, where typhoons pose similar threats. One forward-thinking project in the Philippines integrates round homes with mangrove restoration, creating a holistic defense against storms.
Critics, however, caution against over-reliance on technology. Urban planners in the video emphasize that while these homes are robust, they shouldn't distract from broader strategies like wetland preservation and zoning laws that prevent building in floodplains. "A hurricane-proof home is great, but it's even better in a hurricane-proof location," one expert quips.
In summary, the CNN Style video paints a compelling picture of round, hurricane-proof homes as more than a trend—they're a lifeline. By blending ancient wisdom with modern engineering, they offer hope amid escalating climate challenges. As storms grow fiercer, these curved sanctuaries remind us that adaptation, not defiance, is key to coexisting with nature's power. Whether you're in a coastal bungalow or a high-rise condo, the principles here could influence how we all build for tomorrow. (Word count: 1,028)
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[ https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/style/video/round-hurricane-proof-homes-explained-digvid ]