Periodic material‐based seismic isolation system is a new and innovative means to mitigate the potential damage to structures. There are three types of periodic materials: one‐dimensional (1D), twodimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) periodic materials. With this periodic material, the pattern of the earthquake event energy will be completely obstructed or changed when it reaches the periodic foundation of the structural system. This will result in a total isolation of the foundation from the earthquake wave energy because no energy will be passing through it. Different from traditional seismic isolation system, the new isolation system will have no residual (permanent) horizontal displacements after earthquake events. This total isolation will be of special significance to some specific structures housing highly vibration‐sensitive equipment such as research laboratories, medical facilities with sensitive imaging equipment, or high‐precision facilities specializing in the fabrication of electronic components. Further, the full isolation of emergency‐critical structures such as bridges, hospitals housing emergency response units or equipment, and power generation or distribution structures will have a better earthquake emergency response; consequently, there will be fewer compromises to the entire emergency response system.