Dear Editor,

Is this our first real evidence of climate change? The recent televised images of a hurricane-type high-wind attack on Asian and Far Eastern communities raised two important aspects of architecture and construction.

The most common result of high-wind attacks was seen in the stripping of roofs of domestic-type buildings, most of which were of the one-storey, concrete-block, brick or timber type. In most cases the rafters were shown remaining in place, in good shape.

This indicates that the outer covering – corrugated or plain aluminum or galvanised iron sheeting – had not been securely fixed to their underlying laths nor had the laths been securely fixed to the rafters. Tingles, adequate in ‘normal’ weather conditions would have been of no use.

The general picture of the destruction of buildings in higher, mountainous and/or undulating terrain suggests a reconsideration of the design of small buildings or, more correctly, producing a design for small buildings located in undulating, mountainous terrain in otherwise ideal locations. The situation obviously calls for an official visit or for visits from concerned specialists, including sociologists to have a closer look at the sites and interview former tenants, no doubt now scattered.

Reports from these visits should provide the insights and concerns that would allow even self-help buildings a better weathering of the very high wind attack than was shown in the recent television reports.

Yours faithfully,
Prof R O Westmaas