Please join us for the COTE book talk about this book – with the author, Allison Anderson, FAIAI, and the reviewer, Megan Recher Campos, AIA – on 24 February 2026, from 12-1pm Eastern Time. The virtual event is being hosted by the AIA North Carolina COTE with AIA Triangle COTE. Register here.
COTE Book Review
What We Can Do Right Now
Allison Anderson’s Climate Adaptation for Architects: A Design Toolkit
by Megan Recher Campos, AIA
The increasing number of natural disasters worldwide makes investing in adaptation and resilience critical to the future of the design profession and the built environment. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to find the right resources and determine where to look for adaptation strategies or case studies. This book is the go-to for climate adaptation design.
Climate Adaptation for Architects: A Design Toolkit (Routledge, 2025) by Allison Anderson stands out as an indispensable resource for both seasoned professionals and students eager to understand and implement sustainable and resilient practices in the face of a changing climate. Anderson meticulously compiles actionable strategies, expertly weaving together case studies with up-to-date research to provide a comprehensive overview of climate adaptation in the built environment. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to translate complex environmental issues into clear, scalable how-to guides for adaptable design strategies.
Please join us for the COTE book talk about this book on 24 February 2026, from 12-1pm Eastern Time. The virtual event is being hosted by the AIA North Carolina COTE with AIA Triangle COTE. Register here.
Beyond its technical rigor, the book is highly accessible. Anderson’s writing strikes a careful balance between scientific precision and readability, ensuring that readers from various backgrounds—whether in academia, private practice, or the public sector—can engage with and benefit from the content. The inclusion of an extensive bibliography and up-to-date references encourages further exploration and positions the book as both a starting point and an ongoing resource for those committed to climate-responsive design, data, and scientific findings, translating them into practical design tools and methodologies that architects and planners can immediately apply to real-world projects.
The book is clearly organized into four climate-sensitive risk categories: heat, water, wind, and resource scarcity. Each chapter is thoughtfully structured, beginning with clear definitions and context before guiding readers through the process of identifying climate risks, assessing vulnerabilities specific to their region or project, and developing tailored, site-specific adaptation solutions. It offers step-by-step methods and checklists that demystify adaptation planning. This structure makes the content accessible and engaging, highlighting the universality and urgency of climate adaptation in architecture and planning. The organization also makes it very easy to flip to the specific risk section that best suits your needs.
This book highlights the creative potential of sustainable and resilient design, demonstrating how climate-responsive solutions can enhance both performance and aesthetics. Anderson addresses the broader implications of climate adaptation for the profession. Urging architects to harness their unique skills to influence policy, educate clients, and advocate for systemic change. The book closes with a call to action: that architects must not only adapt to climate change but also inspire others by demonstrating what is possible through visionary, resilient design. Anderson’s message is clear: adaptation is not a concession to adversity, but an invitation to reimagine our built environment for a better, more sustainable future.
This is so much more than just a technical book—it is a source of inspiration and a rallying point for those determined to shape an adaptive and resilient future. Anderson’s insights and practical methods make this a vital addition to the library of architects, urban planners, educators, and anyone invested in the future of the built environment. The book’s enduring value lies in its power to equip, encourage, and inspire a new generation of design professionals to rise to the climate challenge with creativity, confidence, and purpose.
This is a book I am glad to have in my library and one I wish I had on the first day of classes.
Please join us for the COTE book talk about this book on 24 February 2026, from 12-1pm Eastern Time. The virtual event is being hosted by the AIA North Carolina COTE with AIA Triangle COTE. This event is free for AIA members -- register here. It is open to others for $15: non AIA members register here: https://square.link/u/3gCgwB5o.
Megan Recher Campos, AIA, is recognized for regenerative and resilient design across a wide variety of project scales. She is currently based in Kalispel, Montana. Growing up in Florida, she witnessed firsthand the region's risks and vulnerabilities, and as a result, focused her education and career on resilience and climate adaptation planning and design. Megan has worked with C40 on achieving a decarbonised and climate-resilient built environment, has helped advise on decommissioning plans for 12 global cities, and volunteered with 100 Resilient Cities to improve urban resilience and the AIA on resilient strategies and design. Her research is included in the AIA Resilient Project Process Guide, AIA Framework for Design Excellence, AIA Architects Guide to Business Continuity, and the Resilient Design Toolkit.