Super El Niño poses risk of floods and extreme heat; how to protect your home? traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Current climate models indicate that 2026 may mark the fifth occurrence of a Super El Niño in the last 150 years — a phenomenon that occurs when the sea surface temperature anomaly exceeds +2°C compared to the historical average. Projections from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States) indicate that the phenomenon will continue until February 2027. In Brazil, the possible effects vary by region: risks of floods and landslides in the South, heat waves and water insecurity in the Southeast, and droughts and wildfires in the North, Northeast, and Central-West.

Given this scenario, the house is no longer just an aesthetic project and becomes a protective structure. Roofs, drainage systems, waterproofing, window frames, thermal insulation, and cladding choices take center stage when the climate becomes extreme. Architect Maria Fernanda Wiethorn Aliano, CEO of the we.arch office, explains what concrete measures can make homes more resilient to El Niño.

Architecture as the first line of defense

For Maria Fernanda, contemporary architecture involves thinking about performance, resistance and well-being in buildings. "Climate change has definitively impacted the way we design. Today it is not enough to deliver a beautiful house. It needs to be comfortable in different seasons, consume fewer natural resources, respond better to climate variations, and maintain its performance over the coming decades," she tells CASACOR.

(MDL/Divulgação)

A resilient house starts with correct placement on the land, goes through proper sizing of drainage, waterproofing, roofing, and high-performance window frames, and includes specifying materials compatible with the region's climate. Solutions such as draining floors, rain gardens, reservoirs for reusing rainwater, functional landscaping, and roofing with better thermal insulation also gain strength. Thinking of the house as an organism that responds to the climate is what determines the most enduring projects.

Three priority measures for now

For those who have a finished house and want to be prepared, Maria Fernanda highlights three fronts of action. The first is reviewing the entire roof: "Most problems during periods of heavy rain begin with failures in these systems" — roof, slabs, waterproofing, gutters, flashings and downspouts deserve attention with the arrival of Super El Niño.

The second is to invest in efficient drainage of the land, if possible, which prevents infiltrations, structural overload, and reduces the risk of flooding. The third is to prepare the house for higher temperatures through passive strategies for thermal comfort: "The more efficient the architecture, the less dependence there will be on mechanical solutions for climate control".

For regions of extreme heat

Mauricio Nóbrega, Bia Wolf, Maria Estellita e Patricia Vieira - Estar na Varanda. Projeto da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2025. (André Nazareth/Divulgação)

Climate control begins long before the air conditioner. Cross ventilation, brise soleils, eaves, pergolas, vegetation for shading and glass with solar control significantly reduce the thermal gain of the residence. The roof also plays a central role: thermoacoustic insulation and thermal blankets cause the house to absorb much less heat throughout the day.

Indoors, every choice interferes with comfort. "Wooden floors, for example, provide a much more pleasant thermal sensation than materials that accumulate heat. Rugs, natural fabrics and appropriate coverings also contribute to a more comfortable experience," the specialist advises.

When air conditioning is necessary, equipment with inverter technology ensures greater energy efficiency. In addition, there is a little-remembered detail: a well-designed lighting project, with high-efficiency LED and enhancement of natural lighting, reduces heat generation and improves the residence's energy consumption.

For regions of heavy rainfall

Pam Faccin Arquiteura Paisagística - Conhecer para Preservar. (Bia Nauiack/Divulgação)

Preventive maintenance remains one of the best investments a homeowner can make. Cleaning gutters, reviewing waterproofing, inspecting window and door frames, and evaluating the drainage system help prevent issues that can lead to more expensive renovations.

It is also worth analyzing whether there are excessively waterproofed areas on the property — permeable flooring and rain gardens are cost-effective solutions to reduce the impacts of heavy rainfall.

Beyond the walls of your home

It is worth mentioning that El Niño is a natural phenomenon, but the severity of its impacts is not. Federal, state, and municipal governments have a responsibility to act before the worst happens — by investing in science, infrastructure, civil defense, and environmental protection. Monitoring weather alerts is just as important as demanding that public agencies have climate adaptation and disaster prevention plans in place, especially for the most vulnerable families.

traduzido por: OPENROUTER