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Chris de la Cruz
Yesterday's Solutions, Today’s Strategies
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Green building has been promoted in the past few years as the only logical way to design and build. It offers a host of strategies that enable the building to harmoniously coexist with the natural environment. It emphasizes the need to take advantage of renewable resources, the reduction of raw material use and energy used and other techniques that assists in the conservation and preservation of the natural environment. Public acceptance of green building has increased over the years due to its obvious benefits. It leads to improved occupant health, reduced environmental impacts, projects a positive image for the project’s stakeholders, and reduced operating costs due to lower utility bills. However, at present most building designers and constructors are preoccupied at looking for strategies that utilizes state of the art technologies. Thus, giving the impression that green building is expensive. Furthermore, in this process, when traditional design and building techniques are neglected, it has the potential to endanger existing cultural contexts. The significance of a place should be respected and preserved. Heritage conservation is green building. It should not be treated as two separate issues. In the Philippines, green building practices have been utilized in the past. The bahay kubo is the perfect example. A modest house made of indigenous materials which is easy to construct and easy to repair. The house is raised from the ground. It does not disturb the condition of the site. As a passive cooling measure, there are vents above the windows, protected by the roof eaves that allow free passage of air in even when it's rainy. Small shuttered windows below the large windows, called ventanillas, may be left opened when the large windows are closed at night. Its windows, when opened, serve as an awning to shield the interior from the elements. Its high ceiling clearance allows good internal circulation. Its high pitched roofs made of nipa serves as a natural insulation material to lower the temperature inside the house and it easily drains rainwater away from the main house. And the house is basically a one room affair. Its main room serves as the living, dining, and sleeping area. Its small size makes it easy and cheap to maintain. This compact house adapts to the climatic conditions of the area and makes use of locally available materials. Another example from the past is the bahay na bato. This housing model used by the Spaniards after they learned that their housing model from Spain didn't last very long in an earthquake-prone country. The bahay na bato is properly designed for earthquakes, heat, heavy rainfall and to the tropical climate. Made of volcanic stone (adobe) and hardwoods, it is more resistant to fire and it allows the principalia and ilustrados to utilize stylistic elements from Europe and Asia. This 17th century house had two storeys, a ground floor with very thick walls and an upper storey made of wood with overhanging balconies (volada). The thick adobe walls were sturdy enough to support the second floor and serve as a thermal insulator that effectively lowers the temperature at the lower floor. The lower floor houses the zaguan. The space was used to store the family carriage and a processional cart used during the feast of the patron saint. Chinese traders who used the bahay na bato used the zaguan as an office, workshop or as a store. The volada on the second floor receives much of the sunlight during the day with the main living areas basking in the ambient natural light. Large windows are installed on all sides with ventanillas to allow free passage of air. These windows whose panes were made from capiz (a flat translucent shell), allow diffused natural light to the main living areas even when it is shut. The azotea is a hanging garden and a recreation area where people may relax and have tea in the afternoon. A cistern called aljibe is constructed adjacent to the azotea. Rainwater is filtered with sand and gravel before being stored in the aljibe.
These old design practices must be revisited in the promotion of green building.
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| March 23, 2007 | 12:03 PM |
Why it is Romantic...
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 When the sun sets, the distance between the viewer and the sun is at the most farthest. Colors have different wavelengths. Blue being the shortest wavelength, is "attenuated" leaving mostly the longer wavelenghts orange and red to reach us. The clouds in the sky and other atmospheric effects (pollution included) contributes to this phenomena. Just a random thought, that additional shade of red and orange, as it hits the face of a love one, really does wonders. It's enough to make somebody look lovelier;)
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Sustainable Tourism and Green Building
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According to the Department of Tourism, international visitor arrivals to the Philippines hit a record high of 2.843 million in 2006. This year the number is expected to rise by 8-10 percent. At this rate, the industry has an immense impact on the economy. It is estimated that around Php50,000 pesos is spent by every tourist when visiting the country and this roughly amount to around Php130 billion pesos on an average year. That amount helps create jobs for the Filipino.
This renewed interest by other countries in the Philippines is largely due to our remarkable natural resources. With around 36,000 square kilometers of coast line, the Philippines is considered one of longest coastlines in the world. This natural feature offers a tremendous amount of opportunity for investors both foreign and local. Coastal tourism is considered to be one of the fastest growing areas of present-day tourism.
Hotels and restaurants are being developed along our coastlines in an effort to capitalize on the country's beautiful natural features. These developers will choose the location that best showcase the beauty of our coasts. Unfortunately, these developments have also caused negative impacts to the environment. The increased amount of tourists are exerting a significant amount of pressure on our coastal areas, along with existing residents in our coastal towns that are also relying on the sea for their daily sustenance. Our coasts is often the first to experience the detrimental impacts of tourism. Lack of enforcement of building and environmental regulations has accelerated the degradation of the coastlines. The tourism industry must ensure eco-friendly practices are in place to ensure sustainable growth. The beauty of the surroundings that attracts visitors may not be there in the future, potentially losing the income for the business community - if the unsound building practices persists.
The introduction of sustainable tourism contributes to the conservation of our natural heritage. It allows the harmonious coexistence of business interests with our natural environment. Solid waste management, waste water management and cleaner production practices are essential tools to conserve and preserve our natural resources. Presently, several foreign funded organizations have introduced these tools to aid in the rehabilitation of the environment. But one tool is missing - "Green Building". It is widely known that buildings account for one-sixth of the world's fresh water consumption, one quarter of its wood supply and two-fifths of the material and energy resources. As hotels and restaurants are continually developed, with their close proximity to the sea, these structures should be prioritized in being designed and constructed in a sustainable fashion.
The major hotels, in an effort to remain competitive, regularly renovates older rooms to attract new visitors. In an area identified as a major development area, at any one time, almost every hotel has recently been renovated, is under renovation, or is waiting for renovation. Product innovation is considered a crucial and essential requirement in the hospitality industry. The positive forecasts by the Department of Tourism may encourage the expansion of existing hotels, the development of new restaurants, and the introduction of new investments. These activities may damage natural systems if its planning, development and operation are not properly managed.
The impact ecologically unsound design and construction practices, continually exert pressure throughout the life of the building. Start your project right. Go green!
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Design Manual on Ecological Solid Waste Management Facilities-NOW AVAILABLE
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The Design Manual on Ecological Solid Waste Management Facilities was developed to provide technical information needed to efficiently design solid waste management facilities for buildings. It also aims to provide design techniques to small communities and barangays on material recovery facilities. The United Architects of the Philippines-Manila Corinthian Chapter (UAP-MCC), the Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP), and the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), conducted a series of round table consultation workshops between architects and building managers to raise and discuss issues and concerns of building managers regarding the implementation of RA 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Information gathered was translated into general design principles, spatial relationships and design criteria for Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) facilities. The material has been made available to architects, engineers, developers and small communities to adopt as a guide in implementing RA 9003. The design data presented in this document can assist decision makers in planning and designing ESWM facilities. It may be utilized in the establishment of preliminary space allocations used in formulating studies for preliminary proposals. It also seeks to increase awareness among architects about basic ESWM concepts and principles that will greatly affect planning strategies and concerns. It is presented in a manner that both technical designers and laymen can understand and appreciate. This design manual discusses planning and design alternatives to aid architects in formulating plans that will ensure compliance to RA 9003 and other existing building rules and regulations. The Manual is now available at the SWAPP office, Unit 9 Citiland 8, #98 Sen. GilPuyat Avenue, Makati City. They can be contacted at (632)830-0005 for details.
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Green Roofs
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Lately, around green social circles, I find it interesting to see the sudden interest in Green Roofs. I'm always asked regarding it's use in the Philippines and it's applicability. Here's my short ( promise I'll keep this short) rundown of the pros and cons of implementing green roofs.
Pros:
- Opportunity to utilize wasted or otherwise unused space;
- Reduces storm water runoff;
- Reduces the heat island effect;
- Reduces airborne toxins;
- Reduces energy costs for the building;
- Longer roof life;
- Reduces noise pollution.
Cons:
- Could cost more (initial cost);
- At the moment, there are no building regulations in the Philippines that explicitly support the utilization of green roofs. Depending on the approving authority, it may be difficult to procure building permits.
- May limit the architectural expression of the designer. But, in my opinion I see this as an opportunity for the architect to be more creative.
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