TIGblogs - Christopher De la Cruz

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.