Resilience by Design – What’s Next in Hurricane-Ready Construction

By Rajeev Ranjan Mishra, Senior Manager, Catastrophe & Exposure Management

The Climate Is Changing. Construction Needs to Keep Up.

Despite progress in states like Florida, nearly two-thirds of U.S. communities are still using outdated building codes. That gap exposes homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure to greater risk—and puts pressure on insurers, governments, and builders to accelerate change.

Today’s construction sector is stepping up with smarter designs, advanced materials, and new methods that make hurricane resilience more attainable and scalable. But future readiness requires more than engineering—it calls for collaboration, policy reform, and investment.

What’s Driving the Next Wave of Innovation

Next-Gen Materials & Methods

• Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs): Stronger, energy-efficient, and mold-resistant—ICFs are redefining structural durability.
• Prefabrication & Modular Construction: Faster to deploy, easier to scale—ideal for recovery zones and remote areas.
• Self-Healing Concrete & Smart Asphalt: These materials could cut maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of roads and buildings in high-risk areas.

Tech-Enabled Construction

• 3D printing is emerging as a rapid-build solution, especially for affordable or post-disaster housing.
• Digital tools help model, monitor, and optimize building performance under extreme stress conditions.

Closing the Knowledge Gap

• Adoption of these solutions depends on training. Builders need to know how to work with new systems, and some companies, like Vero Building Systems, are embedding that training directly into their project delivery.

Where Policy and Investment Come In

Modern construction is only as effective as the regulations and resources supporting it. That’s why local governments must update codes to reflect current risks, and why insurers and investors need to reward resilient development.

Nature-based solutions—like restoring wetlands or building living shorelines—are also gaining ground as cost-effective ways to reduce storm surge and flooding risks. These require financial backing and regulatory commitment, but the payoff in reduced losses is real.

Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for Resilience

Future-ready construction is about more than buildings—it’s about protecting people, preserving communities, and reducing financial volatility. By aligning insurers, builders, policymakers, and technology partners, we can scale solutions that meet the moment—and build for what’s coming next.her—it’s a strategy for risk mitigation and long-term cost savings. For insurers, it means fewer catastrophic claims. For communities, it’s about safety and faster recovery. And for builders, it’s an opportunity to lead with innovation and purpose.