Climate change is a global matter that even countries such as the Philippines should be concerned about. Local architects from the South-East Asian country is aware that there is a possibility for the planet's temperature to rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Because of this, the country's architects are focusing on creating safe, resilient, long-lasting, and sustainable structures.
Lui Daya- Garcia, one of the Philippines' top architects, stated that if the climate can change then so can the people. The architect delivered his motivating speech during the 10th Anniversary of Green Architecture Advocacy of the Philippines (Green AP). Daya-Garcia added that for so many years, the traditional way of building design and the usual construction practices has greatly contributed to the pollution of air and water. These customary methods have also contributed much to carbon dioxide emissions, forest destruction, waste production, and the crisis on energy.
As of the moment, several personalities within the design industry are on a quest to come up with different ways of pushing for a green compliant country. These experts have discussed different standards that the design industry should keep in mind. With these strategies, there are projected challenges, as well as solutions with some currently being done.
First on the list is alternative and renewable energy. Robert Verzola, a renewable energy advocate, stated that the Philippines should develop technology for solar roofs, with the work of Elon Musk as inspiration.
Another is creating a design that promotes healthy spaces. Sonia Estabillo, a real estate broker, stated that buyers are now looking for healthy residences and condos. This means that consumers are looking into offices that promote the health of the employees, encourage high attendance, better productivity, and reduced turnover. This demand is followed by developers and the construction industry by designing buildings and residences that have air-filled healthy, oxygenated, temperature-controlled, and properly lighted spaces. This could be any areas that are meant for social gatherings such as indoor gyms, outdoor gardens for calisthenics, and libraries for culture.
Climate change has prompted for building designs that can withstand and function during floods, storm surges, or even tsunami storms. Kaydee Velasco From the KMVAsia Development Corp. stated that in her projects she has been preserving old trees and using pervious surfaces and grass-create on pathways with the goal to absorb more water.
Other architectural features that should be incorporated in the new design of buildings that comply with the standards of green architecture include those light-controlled structures which should be able to enhance the health of its residents, oxygenated spaces.
These are made to beat carbon dioxide and provide proper ventilation, assured safe construction especially for PWD's and seniors, has provision for intricate waste management such as repurposing gray water for watering plants and flushing toilets, and lastly, temperature control which can cope with the rising temperatures, especially of a tropical country such as the Philippines.
