Enhancing The Resilience of a Critical Building Through the Optimization of Food, Energy, and Water Systems

Abstract: In the current landscape, most buildings lack the ability to endure and function effectively during and after disasters. The insufficient preparedness of critical building facilities leads to disruptions in their operations for specific durations, emphasizing the urgent need for research and the integration of strategies to enhance building resilience. Existing research on a comprehensive approach addressing the resilience of buildings concerning food, energy, water, and structural systems is limited. Addressing this gap, the paper focuses on identifying and proposing strategies to enhance buildings' resilience in terms of their Food, Energy, and Water (FEW) systems, especially in critical facilities such as primary health centres. The study centers around a primary health center in the flood-prone suburbs of Chennai, India, a city facing significant challenges, including flooding, earthquakes, cyclones, and tsunamis. This research encompasses vulnerability analysis and proposes mitigation strategies such as On-site renewable energy production (solar), critical energy storage system, rainwater harvesting, critical water storage system, on-site food production, and edible landscaping along with passive design techniques to improve the resilience of the building in terms of energy, water, and food. Subsequent to the deployment of these strategic measures, a meticulous assessment of their efficacy ensues, days of autonomy of 9.5, 17, and 3 days for Food, Energy, and Water, respectively. This outcome is intricately aligned with the established standards of the RELi rating system, specifically pertaining to the critical infrastructure of the building. This study provides valuable insights into enhancing building resilience and serves as a practical model for architects and builders facing similar challenges in the contemporary context, offering innovative solutions for disaster-prone regions.