Design for Resilience: Babcock Ranch Case Study

WHA Building Safety Series

Babcock Ranch: The Most Sustainable Town in America (Business Insider)

A few months ago, we kicked off our WHA building safety series beginning with the history of building codes. Dating back to c1760 B.C., code updates have prioritized standards that protect the health, safety, and accessibility of people as they interact with structures.

One of the major tests of building code implementation can be seen in the wake of natural disasters. Earthquakes, fires, and extreme weather (to name a few) can wreak havoc on communities worldwide. Additionally, we’re also seeing the impacts of climate change, specifically in coastal cities around the globe. While the impact of these events cannot be completely avoided, we’re witnessing new ideas and concepts implemented to minimize their effects.

A Case Study of Building for Resilience: Babcock Ranch

This 18,000 acre master-planned community near Fort Myers, Florida demonstrated the value of forward-thinking design in the wake of Hurricane Ian, a Category 5 storm with winds at nearly 160 mph and over 20 inches of rainfall. The whole community is elevated above a projected flood plain and designed with systems like natural waterways for drainage, subterranean phone lines, and an all-electric, all-solar infrastructure. It was envisioned as “hurricane proof.” After the 2022 event, when nearby communities were literally wiped off the earth, the Babcock Ranch community merely faced fallen trees and missing roof shingles. During even the height of the storm, the community’s power also remained intact.

The impacts of climate change and sea-level rise are affecting us in California as well.  WHA’s Magnolia Tank Farm, a development located in Huntington Beach adjacent to the wetlands, and the Gate 5 Road project in Sausalito, located in the historic Marinship district, are two examples where our designers have sought to increase resilience. These projects incorporated design elements to accommodate sea level rise, both present and future.

Magnolia Tank Farm | Huntington Beach, CA

Gate 5 Road | Sausalito, CA

Babcock Ranch, and others like it, are a testament to the value of master-planned communities that use building science to create sustainable places to call home. We will see more innovative ideas being implemented to address these ongoing challenges and innovate ourselves for the future of the buildings we design here at WHA.