In addition, the joints are at greatest risk because stress and strain forces stagnate at the corners requiring further rigidification and bracing to prevent the natural tendency to skew. Construction of the circular ramp using douglas fir 2x4s. Another advantage of the Tsui house design is that the exterior walls, being curved, deflect and accelerate wind currents around the surface preventing the vacuum suction phenomenon, so prevalent in flat plane surfaces, from occuring. The dimpled surface further enhances the efficiency of the aerodynamic shape by relieving wind friction. One of the most pronounced dangers of flat surface buildings are their ability to draw fire to themselves.
Flat planes are fire targets in a high-risk fire area where winds are unpredictable.
When a flame-carrying breeze contacts a flat surface it creates a small vacuum on that surface. This vacuum sucks fire onto the wall and accelerates the process of flame spread. By curving the walls, as in this design, this vacuum effect cannot occur and winds and flames are taken away from the surface helping to prevent flame build-up. For the Tsui house design an additional ring of four water jets immerse the exterior of the house in the event of a neighborhood fire. This precaution renders the house virtually fire-proof from the outside.