With climate change contributing to higher and higher sea levels each year, the New Jersey homeowners in Ira Wagner's 'House Raising' photography series are taking drastic measures to keep their most expensive assets intact.
Flooding can be absolutely devastating, as many of the New Jersey residents who had to repair their homes after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 know. In an attempt to keep their homes safe from any future disasters, hundreds of these residents are putting their houses up on wooden "stilts" and then recasting the houses' foundations at this elevated level.
The houses in House Raising are lifted anywhere from three to 10 feet and the procedure costs around $150,000. However, for the homeowners on the New Jersey shore, that's a small price to pay for an intact home during a flood.
Elevated Home Photography
'House Raising' Documents Homeowners' Attempts to Overcome Future Floods
Trend Themes
1. Climate Change Adaptation - Opportunity for innovative solutions and technologies to help homeowners adapt to rising sea levels and prevent flooding damage.
2. House Elevation - Increasing demand for house elevation services as homeowners seek to protect their properties from future floods.
3. Extreme Weather Preparedness - Growing need for resilience measures and strategies to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on homes and buildings.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Builders and contractors specializing in house elevation and flood-resistant infrastructure have an opportunity to cater to the rising demand.
2. Insurance - Insurance companies can develop tailored policies and risk assessment models to provide coverage for homeowners implementing flood protection measures.
3. Green Technology - Sustainable and eco-friendly solutions like resilient building materials and renewable energy systems can support climate change adaptation efforts in the housing sector.