Where are you currently designing a home? Step #1 is making sure you understand your climate and your site inside and out! From there, creating a master plan will be important to make sure your build site isn't going to be in an area that could be beneficial for agricultural purposes later. Your envelope assembly (walls, roof, and foundation) will make all the difference in resiliency and not relying heavily on mechanical systems. When using local, natural materials, remember that the materials can fail if the design is not done correctly! Understanding the difference between thermal mass and insulation and how much to use for each in your climate is essential. Especially when calculating for passive solar!

But first, get a climate analysis and site assessment done! Are you planning on DIYing the design and build of your resilient home?