Issue No. 2
(Photo: Ar. Neil Bersaba)
On the Cover: Hexarion
A Livable Martian Colony
Published bi-annually by the United Architects of the Philippines
UAP National Headquarters Building, No. 53 Scout Rallos St., Barangay
Laging Handa, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1103
UAP is not responsible for statements, views or opinions expressed in Arquitektura , nor do such statements necessarily represent the views of UAP , unless otherwise stated.
Joan S. De Leon- Tabinas, UAP
Charleen Libron-Alquiza, UAP
Editorial Team
John Immanuel R. Palma, UAP
Marjorie Duran Lee-Oliver, UAP
Neil Andrew U. Menjares, UAP
Johann Alejo Abellanosa, UAP
Creatives, Media and Information
Juan Miguel A. Domingo, UAP
Michaela Y. Constantino, UAP
Ways and Means
Ariel A. Tabang Jr., UAP
Publication Committee
John Lemuel G. Llacuna, UAP
Contributors
Neil Bersabe
Beaudon D. Causapin
Carlo John P. Debaja
Harold Delima
Regalado G. Jasmin
Abigail Ko
April Valle
Last year the UAP Journal underwent an evolution to what is now known as ARQUITEKTURA, the official trade journal of the United Architects of the Philippines. This evolution allows architects to write freely thus making the journal more accessible to the general membership. We thank everyone who contributed to ARQUITEKTURA and to those who have read the first issue, we hope that you enjoyed every article from our contributing architects.
In this issue are 08 articles written and delivered by architects who share in the vision of futureproofing our profession. The articles in this issue can hopefully inspire our readers that futureproofing requires a multidisciplinary approach and even going beyond our planet to offer and conceptualize solutions and innovations. We would like to thank all the contributors for sharing your insightful study, research, and projects.
We are also happy to inform everyone that the UAP Professional Development Commission and the Committee on Publications has made the leap to the future by digitizing our beloved publications such as the UAP Post and ARQUITEKTURA. You can now access and read our official publications within the comforts of your own gadgets and implements. Please scan the QR code at the back cover to gain access to our digital collection.
We wish everyone an inspiring and rewarding reading.
Arquitektura Team
35
Museo ng Muntinlupa Beaudon D. Causapin
A premier city museum and heritage center
44
Iloilo Tree Park
Carlo John P. Debaja
Where Nature Meets Tranquility: Discovering Serenity at Iloilo Tree Park
53
Placemaking Davao
April Valle and Harold Delima
Crafting Identity and Community
Architectural Development Management
Abigail Ko
49 Harmonizing Architectural Progress with Conservation
Architect Regalado Jasmin has over 27 years of international experience, including projects across the Middle East, South Africa, & Malaysia. Ar Jasmin joined HCO in 2014 and is currently the Senior/Lead Architect for the House of Consulting, where he leads the team of Architects in the AoR Department. His projects include the AMC Cinemas across the Kingdom and various industrial buildings under the HCIS, the AMAALA, RED SEA, DGDA, and King Salman Park.
He obtained his BS in Architecture degree from the Technological Institute of the Philippines and is a Registered and Licensed Architect in the Philippines. Ar Jasmin is registered in Saudi Arabia as Architect and is currently a member of the Saudi Council of Engineers with a Professional grade.
Abigail Ko is a Filipino architect with more than five years of experience in project, business, and organization development management of small private architecture and construction companies. She graduated with a bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila (2012), and obtained her masters degree in development management from the Asian institute of Management (2020).
Her college thesis was a Manila City Urban Planning Exhibition Center and her management research report (MRR) for masters degree was a strategy paper to develop the Lakbay Lakaran (travel walk) program of Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista at Iba Pang Lugar based in Quiapo for the conservation, preservation, and restoration (CPR) of the historic city of Manila.
She has been an active officer of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) QC Central
Chapter and Architects for Accessibility (AFA) for more than five years since 2016. She lives in Manila and explores arts during her free time. She can speak Filipino, English, Mandarin Chinese, and Hokkien.
and environmentally responsive architecture. He aims to involve himself in the collaborative process between architecture, design, and the environment, deliver best practice design and create positive experiences.
April is an Urban Design and Planning Consultant, dividing her time between Davao, Manila, and London. She obtained her Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Melbourne and is a Full Member of the Planning Institute of Australia and the Commonwealth Association of Planners.
April’s project experience ranges from developing city strategies and urban design frameworks to site master planning. She has been involved in a number of projects recognised for Excellence in Planning and Community Engagement by the Royal Town Planning Institute (UK) and the Planning Institute of Australia. As a Built Environment professional, her interests lie in strengthening partnerships across the various disciplines and in working together towards improving the liveability of cities.
She is the Former Convenor of the Sustainable Built Environments Community of Practice at Australia Alumni Communities Philippines, and is one of the Founders of Placemaking Davao.
He graduated from The University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design, and Planning with a Master’s degree in Architectural Science (Sustainable Design). Alongside his architectural practice, he is interested in the areas of Startups, Circular Economy, and Specialty Coffee.
Carlo John Puig Debaja is a registered and licensed architect and a licensed professional teacher. He is currently a private practicing Architect and employed at the Department of Education as Technical Drawing and Computer Teacher for Senior High School at Dingle National High School. At present, he is the UAP Iloilo Bahandi Chapter Committee on Professional Development and the incoming Chapter President for the fiscal year 2023-2024.
Harold is a co-founder and is deeply involved in the design leadership of 5XD, a PH-based architectural firm and one of the Founders of Placemaking Davao. He believes that architecture enhances people’s lives and the built environment while treading lightly on the natural environment. His approach to design operates around a context-based and sustainable design thinking process to generate efficient
Architect Beaudon D. Causapin is currently the City Architect of Muntinlupa City. He graduated year 2000 at the Far Eastern University in Manila . For 22 years, he has continuously practiced architecture both for the City Government of Muntinlupa and for the firm he and his wife started. During these years he has designed multiple government projects including schools such as the new Colegio De Muntinlupa, which specializes in Engineering and Architecture. Among the many projects of the city, the Museo ng Muntinlupa is considered a very significant structure built. Currently Arch. Causapin is eager to work on another design project that he believes will change the perception of Laguna De Bay through the development of the Muntinlupa Water Park.
By Regalado G. Jasmin
Filipino Architects have contributed to the development of communities globally. One notable Architect who became famous after he shaped Dubai into what it is today, Felino Palafox Jr, is a testament to how good Filipinos are. Distinguishing Architects’ work is easy among others; this is where we see beauty, feel the space and its environment, and, most importantly, this is a place where we work and live. As Julia Morgan says, “Architecture is a visual Art, and the building speaks for themselves” This simply defines how an Architect changes our world.
Nevertheless, the saddest part is the people’s connotation that Architect is good only on the drawing board. However, they need to learn that an Architect has a vision that others do not see and that the future will depend on their Masterpiece.
When Architects collaborate, they can build a building that is not only aesthetically pleasant but safer and more comfortable. A design Architect can provide beauty and, the other, the assurance that this building is sustainable. The Architect, the Consulting Architect, and the Architect-Of-Record are similar but different in tasks and responsibilities. Consulting Architect
and the Architect-Of-Record are specialists; the AoR are experts in Building Codes. This article will focus on how vital an AoR is in the built environment, not only in securing the building permit for the building but also in ensuring that it remains standing despite natural and manufactured threats.
As Defined by RA 9266, Architect-of-Record is the entity or professional who will assume the civil liability for the plans, specifications, and even contract documents he/she signed and sealed. “Civil liability” means the Architect and the Engineer are liable for whatever happens in a building within fifteen years or if the building collapses (Civil Code of the Philippines). The primary responsibilities of the AoR are to oversee the works of the Architects and other design professionals involved in the project and ensure that they comply with all relevant building codes, regulations, and standards. AoR is part of the design team providing plan reviews, comments, and coordination with the design professionals, thereby assisting in polishing the plan until the project is code compliant.
Loss prevention is the primary concern of Owners, Architects, and Engineers to ensure the building is code-compliant. Loss prevention can be due to Fire, Explosion, and even terrorist attacks like in the Middle East. Major oil and gas producers like Aramco are implementing strict rules to prevent catastrophes and fatal accidents. Saudi Arabia, the leading oil producer, becomes the target of terrorists, an example of which is the two separate explosions in the Aramco Oil facility in Dammam and Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia established the High Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS) to provide strategic supervision and oversee the Petroleum and Industrial sectors. Facilities within its jurisdiction are
required to comply with the levels of protection as per the HCIS Security & Safety Directive.
Fire and life safety is popular nowadays; every year, the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publish an update to meet changing life safety and loss prevention needs.
The International Building Code (IBC) has added a requirement to require not less than two Fire Service Access Elevators for buildings taller than 36m as a result, and findings of the National Institute of Standards and Technology following the World Trade Center collapse in 2001. Proper communication and signaling also need to be considered in designing the buildings to prevent collision and thus save lives. High-rise buildings are required to provide Aviation Obstacle Lights as per the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Incidents like terror attacks and fires are a tremendous challenge for professionals in mitigating similar scenarios in the future, and the Architect and AoR have to be proactive. In this case, both Active and Passive fire protection shall be present to meet these challenges. In passive fire protection, the Architects must ensure that travel distances and fireresistance materials are considered in the design.
Architects shall consider the situation’s complexity and how people will respond during a fire or emergency. One good example is the Amusement building, in which the exit is not readily apparent or confounded because guests are usually disoriented, distracted, and unaware of the current situation in their surroundings. Frequently, people trapped in this scenario will lead to confusion about where the exits are, and it is deadly. For example, in 1984, eight teenagers died when a fire broke out in a haunted House in New Jersey.
Travel distance is the primary defense against fire; the shorter the distance, the safest. However, the building’s code allows for a longer travel distance when the sprinkler system protects the building. How about the dead-end distance? The deadend distance confuses people and will eventually become deadly because they are trapped by fire before finding the exits. A dormitory in Rhode Island kills ten people because of the excessive dead-end distance.
Egress sizing matters from the FLS perspective, especially when managing a vast number of people, like the Assembly occupancy. The code also requires that an Assembly occupancy with 300 people requires a main exit that can accommodate 50% of the estimated occupant load because the study shows that people’s behavior during an emergency is that they tend to move towards the exit where they enter. In 2003, when 100 people died in a nightclub in Rhode Island, 30 bodies were found blocking the entrance; in this scenario, the conclusion was that using the main entry as the main exit can help reduce fatalities if not avoided.
Another factor contributing to death is the door swing direction; improper placement of the door and its location can cause death—similar scenario when a famous Quezon City nightclub kills while they are trapped while trying to escape. Not only does the door swing inwards, but the distance of exit is somehow within the minimum limit required by the code.
Architects also deal with the rights of people against discrimination. A free-barrier community is an important consideration to take into during the design phases of the project. It will allow people to move freely anywhere with ease. Saudi Arabia, for instance, Saudis are self-reliant; they move around in a wheelchair alone and independently.
The United States has a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The Americans with Disabilities Act or the ADA became the universally accepted guidance ensuring safeguarding these individuals’ privilege in public, including jobs, schools & transportation. On the other hand, architects design buildings with the primary consideration of a barrier-free environment.
People deserve a quiet, comfortable place to live, work, and leisure. It is crucial to determine how materials react to extreme environments such as sun heat, how relaxing it is to sit on a balcony fronting the sea, and how healthy it is living in a house with the natural air passing through it. The AoR ensures meeting these requirements and negligence to fulfill this duty will result in a lawsuit.
Lastly, in the built environment, the most critical asset that needs to be protected is us, the people. Structures are there because people need shelter and a haven, but these can only be called such if it is fit for human habitation. It is a lesson learned to comply with what is required by the country’s regulations, as those are proven effective and reduce casualties and even accidents. Every nation and locality adopts internationally accepted standards and turns them into law to make them mandatory and executory. The building code aims to satisfy everyone’s goals - guarded, well-being, and equality in line with the State’s policy to safeguard life, health & property.
In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. “A universal call to action to end poverty, protect the environment, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity” (United Nations, Development Programme: Sustainable Development).
Cities continue to grow as civilization progresses and whether directly or indirectly, this has a tremendous impact on the welfare of the planet. From research by the construction blog Bimhow, on a global scale, “the construction sector contributes to 23% of air pollution, 50% of the climatic change, 40% of drinking water pollution, and 50% of landfill wastes”. Construction is inevitable as building and infrastructure development concurs with economic progress, which emphasizes a viable tradeoff for the welfare of the planet. Rapid urbanization in the Philippines has created opportunities in the economic sector, which has led to a demand for building constructions to cater to the needs of various industries, including commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and even residential for employees. The construction industry in the Philippines grew with the highest growth rate among the other industries for the second quarter of 2021 at 25.7% (DTI, 2021). Sustainability was already a thing in the Philippines in the early part of the century, however, Environmental sustainability and user health were not as prioritized as economic sustainability but with the current COVID pandemic, the demand for healthier buildings has increased in support of the “New Normal.” In fact, seven in ten businesses across the Asia Pacific are willing to pay more rent for green buildings (JLL, 2021).
In 2015, the United Nations adopted the
David Attenborough on Climate ChangeSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, “A universal call to action to end poverty, protect the environment, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity.” (United Nations, Development Program: Sustainable Development). The rise of green building development in the Philippines demonstrates the country’s dedication and commitment to supporting the UN SDGs.
In its most basic form, green building is the method of creating buildings and using methodologies that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the life cycle of a building — from design to operation, maintenance, repair, and demolition. This means that we must always be mindful of how our actions affect the environment. There are several strategies for making buildings more sustainable, and we can only hope that as the green building becomes more prominent in the Philippines, more individuals will begin to follow these practices.
“Many individuals are doing what they can. But real success can only come if there is a change in our societies and our economics.”Kayla Garcia & Agustin Opay
One of the most notable examples of the Philippines’ advancement in green building is the Green Building Code of the Philippines (GBCP), which was enacted in 2015. The GBCP requires all new buildings to meet standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, and materials selection. The code is a powerful tool for successfully reducing emissions and conserving resources.
The Philippine government’s commitment to green building would have a positive impact on the country’s economy and the environment with their objective to reduce 70% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through the approved National Determined Contribution, or the NDC, over the 2020-2023 period. The government has also established some incentives for builders to construct green structures, such as tax reductions and expedited approvals. As the country strives to achieve its objective of becoming a more sustainable nation, this commitment is anticipated to keep increasing in the years to come.
More project owners and developers are motivated to achieve certification to improve environmental quality, provide health advantages, and reduce utility costs while meeting client demand. The number of local and international certifications has increased thanks to the support of local green building professionals and organizations. In fact, during the pandemic, the number of WELL Certification projects—which concentrate on the health of building occupants, has increased.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)—is one of the eight national councils that helped found the World Green Building Council (WGBC), is the most widely used green rating system in the world. LEED being recognized by most businesses, foreign investors, and locators in the Philippines, drive the growth of green building certification as an international recognition that promulgates the country’s goal of sustainable local infrastructures.
LEED Certified buildings demonstrate an exemplary level of energy and environmental performance level, and it has been USGBC’s primary tool for market transformation. As a result, we’ve seen a fundamental shift in the way buildings are designed, built, and operated around the world. Codes and standards have been upgraded to be more efficient, healthy, and green. Products and services have also been transformed to support green building demand.
The Philippines now showcases innovative and sustainable LEED buildings. From the first LEED-certified project in the Philippines, Texas Instruments Philippines- Baguio, achieving Silver Certification under the rating system LEED BD+C: New Construction in 2006, building owners and project developers carry on the value of a championing Sustainable Environment. Various rating systems have been adopted
“This would be a tool to upgrade the country’s economy by adopting modern and lowcarbon technologies and approaches that would help mitigate the climate crisis and make the economy more resilient and our growth sustainable.”
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III Chairman on Climate Change Commission
as a result of its exponential growth over the years, including 278 LEED BD+C (Building Design and Construction), 65 LEED ID+C (Interior Design and Construction), and some LEED Homes, Operations and Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, and even the new Cities. These developments range to different project types such as New Construction, Core and Shell, Schools, Retail, Data Centers, Warehouse and Distribution centers, Hospitality, Homes, and more.
In 2015, the Philippines had the second-highest number of LEED-certified projects in Asia, with a total of 36 projects. Today, with a total of 182 LEED-certified projects and 185 registered projects over the course of 13 years, green buildings in the Philippines are exponentially growing.
One exemplary project in the Philippines is the Zuellig Building, which is the first office tower in the country to be certified as Platinum under LEED BD+C: Core and Shell v2.0. The country also achieved, in April 2020, the first LEED Platinum-certified single-detached family home (YY) House, which is also the first award in Southeast Asia.
An industry leader in the local banking sector, UnionBank Philippines demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by pursuing LEED certifications. It currently has 32 branches with LEED Certification awards, making them the largest portfolio in Southeast Asia for LEED ID+C Retail projects.
International and Local Green Building Certifications in the Philippines remain on the rise. Project owners have a variety of options for rating systems that will demonstrate their leadership in the market. While there have been newly developed local rating systems, International Green building certifications still dominate taking up 73.3% of total Green Building Projects.
LEED projects account for most of the Green Building Projects in the Philippines at 53.3%. It is followed by BERDE with 14.7%, then GREEEN with 12.1%, WELL shares 11.8%, and EDGE with 8.1%.
BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) of the Philippine Green Building Council has 101 registered projects. Laguna Lake Development Authority Building is one of the first certified BERDE buildings in 2016, certified with a BERDE 3-Star rating.
Philippine Green Building Initiative’s GREEEN (Geared for Resiliency and Energy Efficiency for the Environment) has 83 registered projects with The National Museum of Natural History as one of GREEEN certified buildings. Only one project has achieved WELL (Heath and Wellness Rating System) certification to date but there are currently 67 WELL Health-Safety Rated projects. The IFC of the World Bank Group introduced the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency) and there are now 56 projects with EDGE certification, the majority of them being residential and office buildings.
With the demand for Sustainable building developments, professionals also engage in getting their accreditation to support the market transformation. For international green building credentials in the Philippines, there are currently 91 LEED Green Associates, 117 LEED Accredited Professionals with specialty – under different rating systems, 15 LEED Consultants, 25 WELL Accredited professionals, and 31 EDGE experts. For the local green building credentials, BERDE records 994 Certified BERDE Professionals, 75 Certified BERDE Assessors, and 120 Fellowships.
As Sustainability currently transitions to become a standard practice in our construction industry, More professionals are securing their credentials on different green building rating systems. The highest recognition and most prestigious designation awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council is the LEED Fellow. This recognition is exclusive to outstanding LEED APs who have demonstrated exceptional LEED-related impacts for at least 10 years. The 2022 Class of LEED Fellows recognized a Filipino professional, Ar. Alvin P. Tejada of APTCS Group, the first in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
With the rise of certified green buildings in the Philippines, the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. have been actively reaching out to the Philippines and its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia to support local professionals in LEED, WELL, EDGE, and encourage professionals on programs that are expected to grow such as the TRUE and LEED Zero certification.
Sources:
(2021). Demand for green buildings in the Philippines increases. JLL. https://www.jll.com.ph/ en/newsroom/demand-for-green-buildings-in-thephilippines-increases
(2021). Construction industry contributes 16.6% to GDP amidst pandemic. DTI. https://www.dti.gov.ph/ news/construction-industry-contributes-to-gdp/ (2022). Texas Instruments Philippines Baguio. usgbc.org. https://www.usgbc.org/projects/texasinstruments-philippines-baguio
(2021). Duterte OKs 75% emissions reduction PH commitment by 2030. pna.gov.ph. https://www.pna. gov.ph/articles/1137085
(2017). Laguna Lake Development Authority Building as the First BERDE Certified Government Office. philgbc. https://philgbc.org/category/ inthenews/philgbc-inthenews/page/6/ (2020). YY House. usgbc.org. https://www.usgbc. org/projects/yy-house
(2020). YY House in Mandaue, Cebu: First LEEDcertified house in SE Asia. sunstar.com.ph. https:// www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1902241/cebu/lifestyle/ yy-house-in-mandaue-cebu-first-leed-certifiedhouse-in-se-asia
(n.d.). NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. www.greenbuilding.ph. https://www. greenbuilding.ph/greeen-buildings-pg3
(2022). What are the Sustainable Development Goals? THE SDGS IN ACTION. https://www.undp. org/sustainable-development-goals
Last November 26, 2022, The Blue Mango Awards for Placemaking culminated in a Design Talk and Awards Ceremony. The awards aim to celebrate excellent design within the territories of Cebu Province, Bohol Province and Negros Oriental. By awarding these exemplary spaces with Seals of Excellence, the public is also informed of the important role designers play in shaping the spaces we enjoy.
Whether it is mankind’s basic need for shelter, an avant-garde monument or an ephemeral installation, excellence is there to achieve for those who seek it. Excellent design is authenticit reveals the inherent beauty of a place and the intention of the designer. Excellent design is also creative - it challenges possibilities and drives innovation. Excellent design is , perhaps most importantly, inherently placemaking - it supports a meaningful communion.
The Seal is awarded to a project in the territories of Cebu, Negros Oriental and Bohol Province that exemplify Excellent Design.
Why earn a Seal of Excellence?
The seal of excellence celebrates the pursuit of excellence. The merit through a visual symbol will educate users to seek such quality in the spaces they occupy. And lastly, the aspirational nature of awards hope to create a cycle that promotes the importance of Professions in Design.
77 Entries. 21 Shortlisted. 5 Commended Works. 1 Seal of Excellence. We received a staggering total of 77 entries, more than double our initial expectation. Of the 77, 21 projects spanning the four categories (Architecture-Built, Architecture-Future, Interior-Built, InteriorFuture) made the shortlist.
The Blue Mango Awards for Placemaking identifies excellent design to possess Commodity (Purpose Metric), Composition (Visual Metric) and Concept (Intellectual Metric). The submissions were presented to a jury of esteemed members of the industry, representing respective categories,
For Interiors:
• Morfosis
• Chat Fores
• Ivy Almario
For Architecture-Built:
• Sudarshan Kadhka
• Edwin Uy
• Jim Caumeron
For Architecture Future:
• Deo Alam
• Buck Sia
• AJ Javier
Prizes:
The jury was asked simply to identify if the projects entered possessed the three metrics of Commodity, Composition, Concept. If the project was found to possess at least two out of the three metrics, it was shortlisted. 21 out of the 77 moved forward.
The 21 remaining works were then judged by all members of Jury, ID and Architects alike. The jury nominated projects they deemed to be commendable. Each nomination equating to a point. The projects with the most number of points were assigned rankings ‘with Commendation’ and ‘High Commendation’, the highest ranking receiving the ‘Seal of Excellence’
Full List of Winners:
The Seal of Excellence is the highest commendation a project may earn. Select highly commended works earned scholarships from our partner, Thames International.
The Blue Mango Awards for Placemaking culminated during Cebu Design Week on November 26, 2022, from 1-6PM, with a Design Talk entitled Intuition/Experience, where select members of our jury shared how intuition and experience drove their most iconic and award winning designs. Special attendees of note are Ar. Richard Garcia, National President of the United Architects of the Philippines, and Ar. Joey Manalad, Chairman for the UAP National Convention.
• Seal of Excellence - Knight Juanito I. King Scout Hall, Mandaue City, Cebu ( Arkinamix, Ren Design Studio, Zubu Design Associates)
• High Commendation, and recipient of a Thames Scholarship - Tiny Tree Hugger Home, Carmen, Cebu (M+S Studio Co.)
• High Commendation, and recipient of a Thames Scholarship - Luca Hotel Interiors, Panglao, Bohol (DEQA, Design Collaborative)
• With Commendation, and recipient of a Thames Scholarship - A Proposed Chapel, Busay, Cebu (SAN Studio)
• With Commendation - A Proposed Carbon Heritage Redevelopment, Cebu City (Visionarch)
• With Commendation - CasAmigos Beach House, Daan Bantayan, Cebu (22AD Studio)
“Amidst the fast developing city of Cebu is a hub that has kept its heart and historical identity. For over a hundred years the Carbon Market has remained the city's primary source of goods and has been the most visited public market in Cebu. It is essential for a places that holds so much value such as this, to grow with its surroundings. The Carbon District Development's unique design adapts to the lifestyles of the people today while retaining the city's heritage. The Carbon Market building is envisioned to be a multi-storey facility that houses a neighborhood of quaint yet familiar stalls for Meat, Poultry, Seafood, Fruits, vegetables and other merchandise. The structure maximizes the variety of products and vendors while retaining an amicable atmosphere reminiscent to a small town local market.”
“Turning a distressed property into a de-stressing haven.” Located along the shores of Daanbantayan, Cebu, CasAmigos showcases a modern take on the age-old harmonious relationship between architecture and nature. Built on a dilapidated beachfront site and its facilities, the project breathes new life into an old property through the use of modern architectural concepts and principles to transform a distressed property into a modern tropical getaway. Given the challenge to rehabilitate this property, the overall design direction was led by the desire to create a relaxing modern architectural experience that capitalized on the unique characteristics and strengths of the individual structures and the surrounding wide-open spaces. To achieve this, the design process focused on addressing both the spatial and visual experiences of the project through spatial programming and aesthetic intervention.
“Unlike most places of prayer that are known to stand toweringly among us, this chapel is sunken on the ground, highlighting a different form of grandeur. The grandeur we talk about is life around us, the sky above us, and the earth beneath us. Such grandeur is not proud but is significant in the sense that its presence is often missed in daily city life, making its chances for observation majestic. The chapel hides but also reveals. The architecture acts only at The bare minimum for people to experience the beauyy or nature that has always existed among us
“In our interiors, we combine elements of futurism with natural materials and local influences. Furniture is tactile and nostalgically avant-garde. The iconic forms and patterns of the seventies’ radical design are used throughout the hotel’s public space and guest rooms. it is most expressed in the sculptural spiral stair that extends from the lobby to the fifth floor. The iconic rattan peacock, reimagined, is a focal piece in the lobby… …As a complete experience, the Luca Hotel is a destination to savor tropical glamour that is expressive, radical, daring, and mysterious. We hope we will invite guests to engage their imagination.”
Blue Mango Awards 2022: Placemaking
“The design intent was to locate the livable space around three existing matured native trees in the farm land. The trees were there first, in respect to it, humans and structures should be the one to work around it and not the other way around. Aside from the existing trees, another challenge was to build on a very steep terrain. The brief was also to build a simple house with a small footprint that can be constructed quickly by a few manpower. The plan is to build a semi-permanent ‘pandemic’ house as a first phase in a permanent setting. When the resources are available, the second phase will be then expanding around the house shell as the needs arises. The house should be flexible enough to evolve to changes and needs. Being used to living in a tiny space, and that truly helped upon designing this home, since the needs and basic requirements for a home is already established. Just because the home may be tiny, that doesn’t mean it can’t be minimalist and beautify it at the same time. The key is to pick the most favorite items, that sparks joy (Konmari method) that doesn’t change with the season (timeless). Make it a showroom of favorite things that is actually useful.”
Blue Mango Awards 2022: Placemaking
“The whole composition of the Scout Hall is an inspiration of the Scout Salute and Scout Oath - Duty to God and country, duty to others, and duty to self. Every intricate curve and corners of the building were carefully detailed to create a clean and aesthetically pleasing massing that highlighted these. Not only does each massing emphasize the Scout Salute and Oath, it also defined the spaces inside the building and created viewports from within the building towards the campus. Each sinuosity in the plan also paved the space for the accesses such as the stairs from the ground floor towards the second floor and the second floor to the roof deck. A pathway on the ground floor was also created in between the canteen and the scout hall while a bridge connected the second floor deck to the second floor of the canteen, thus, creating multiple access without obstructing the circulation of the students within the premises. The architectural and structural details along with the supervision of the designers during construction also ensured that the implementation was of quality workmanship. Each filleted wall and undulating surface were meticulously detailed and specified to create proper slopes for drainage and an appealing expression on the architectural elements of the building. The practice of excellence in architectural drawings and construction implementation demonstrates that good design goes beyond the schematics and conceptualization phase. The entire process after the schematic phase throughout the design development, contract documents and construction supervision is crucial to achieve good design.”
Neil Bersabe
In search of a sustainable solution for a livable Martian colony, this study aims to provide for an intrinsic way of managing growth and provide for a circular economy that would thrive in the harsh martian environment. The design process is broken down into parts that ultimately prescribe a foundation for an automated development using data and parameters gathered from the surrounding environment.
The Hexarion colony aims to develop a prescriptive system in building a martian infrastructure capable of sustaining life by adapting modularity in automated assemblies. The growth will be based on the inhabitants and other environmental factors and is capable of harnessing its own energy, food, oxygen, and other essential elements for life by dedicating modules focused on these specific aspects. The concept design is adaptable with no fixed developmental growth but would depend on the computational concepts introduced
The infrastructure of the colony needs to minimize the reliance on human labor and must be able to sustainably support life and manage the overall building lifecycle. To be able to achieve this, four goals were identified which will be the guiding principles of the overall design concept. The colony could achieve sustainability by identifying core typological spaces and separating their importance through modularization. Construction of these infrastructures must implement automated self-assembly with different fitness values that parametrically dictate the growth of the system.
To support life on Mars, there is a need to identify different basic human needs and how to manage them. Below is an infographic showing the basic needs of one modern human for subsistence per year
A study published by EDP Science has determined 4 most promising sites to land in on mars. Such mentioned sites were then compared with each other to determine the most optimal location for habitation.
Acidalia Planitia is the chosen location for the project as it is found to have fulfilled the best site requirements among the other 4 sites. Although Elysium Planum has all the requirements within its area, they don’t occur at the same location, hence, the aforementioned site was chosen
The final site is a shallow crater located at the highlighted areas within the boundaries of Acidalia Planitia. This was done to reduce the excavation efforts and structural cost, as well as provide natural protection against the harsh environment.
Defining the final architectural modules must be derived from analysis of the possible core functions and activities of the inhabitants of the colony, maximizing space use by clustering common activities, and diversifying the modifications allowed per module.
Based on the programming, the modular types are given context by volume and circulation using the hexagonal grid. The hexagon shape was used as a guiding form for the modules due to its inherent structural rigidity forming six triangles and its repeatable tile pattern which is essential in developing modular parts. The hexagon is circumscribed from a circle with a diameter of nine meters and also extruded into a solid with a height of the same nine meters. This ensures that the modular parts will have a uniform connection throughout the proliferation.
Understanding the ubiquitous resource present in the Martian environment is the first step in creating a sustainable colony. With the use of modern technology in processing and fabrication, the colony can convert raw materials found on Mars into usable materials and resources to build the colony.
Neil Bersabe Proyekto
Understanding the methods and fabrication procedures ensures the survival of the colony. The methods are broken down into three main parts: the structural framing, the 3D printed shell, and the utilities, glass, and textile. The process will be automated by computers and robots, and will be deployed when certain conditions are met such as human population, needs, and materials
Parameters that govern the automation of the growth of the colony will be implemented by drones, CNC machines, and other robots brought from the mother colony. This minimizes human labor in the development of infrastructure and efficiently helps the colony focus on research, development, and other aspects for growth
The parts become modular due to the introduction of the hexagon format as guiding principles for the proliferation of the development on the macro scale. The typology of the space for each module can also be modified depending on the usage of the module on a microscale. Even each type of module can be different depending on the usage and parameter requirements for each
Modularity is applied on the microscale through standardized size for the part components and can be modified to fit the user for the module
Using the hexagonal grid as a guide for proliferation, the colony could achieve modularity in growth and sprawl
These modules are the different parts for the colony aggregation. Each module would serve a vital role in the overall infrastructure and ecosystem of the colony and have proportional quantities in reference to the core module of the residential pod. As the
colony grows, system automations are in play to dictate how the modules will be connected in proportion to the decisions and needs of the colony
The colony must also be able to identify how the different modules must be connected. Analysis of space matrices and adjacencies dictate how the modules connect and the information will be sent for automation and fabrication. The diagrams show the different connection types allowable for the aggregation and how these affect the growth of the colony. The connection rules are formatted in a way that shows the connection between different parts of a module to the other.
The connection rules are determined by these syntaxes. ModuleConnection_Part1 > ModuleConnection_Part2. These rules are guides for the proliferation of the colony
The colony could only achieve sustainability by controlling the random proliferation growth of the modules and this could be achieved by dictating the allowable quantity of each module which is based on the ratios provided. Other factors must be taken into account for the iterations of the colony like radiation, terrain topology, and environment to name a few. These iterations will be analyzed to produce the best fitness value to be implemented for the location of the colony.
In conclusion, this architectural research rethinks how we as architects design buildings and design architectural systems and processes. The search for an understanding of space made the proponents think more sensitively about what we do here on earth, minimizing our carbon footprint and maximizing the use of every resource we could utilize. Designing for Mars is not an exercise of wastefulness but rather a practice of creative mindfulness where designers increase sensibilities towards sustainability in extreme environments.
The Museo ng Muntinlupa is a premier city museum and heritage center located at Centennial Avenue, Barangay Tunasan, City of Muntinlupa. It was a project built last 2018 through the vision by then-Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi, who is now Muntinlupa’s representative in the House of Representatives.
Museo ng Muntinlupa (Museo) serves as a premiere cultural and educational venue in the city. It was intended to be the primary venue to showcase the rich history, heritage, and culture of the Muntilupeños, as well as to preserve the aforementioned for the next generations to come.
As a city museum, Museo is mandated to acquire, conserve, research, communicate, and exhibit the tangible and intangible heritage of the city of Muntinlupa and its environment. It is the primary institution that forwards the conservation of Muntinlupa’s heritage through research, exhibitions, and public programs.
The museum’s structure itself is a blend of traditional and modern architectural styles, reflecting the city’s dynamic character and its commitment to preserve its cultural identity. It was designed by the Muntinlupa City Architect Beaudon Causapin. The façade was inspired by a fishing-tool used by the Muntinlupeño fishermen at Laguna de Bai – called Baklad.
The design-related decisions used are the history and culture with careful study and interviews among Muntinlupeños activities and behavior. It places a premium on the major source of livelihood during the olden times. In addition, the building follows an eco-friendly and green architectural design. It has ochre columns and Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) cladding that resembles a Baklad frame that serves as a heat sink of the shell of the building with the use of steel matting, making the building cooler. And, it features rainwater Harvesting and Led light fixtures. Furthermore, it is designed to be PWD-friendly, from its architectural design up to its permanent exhibition, which features fun, interactive and inclusive displays.
The Museo ng Muntinlupa is a five-story building designed to offer a variety of spaces to cater different functions and activities. On the First Floor, the Museo has a grand lobby, Research Center, and offices. The Grand Lobby serves as the main entrance and reception area. It provides a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and serves as a starting point in exploring the galleries and exhibits. Some of the Cultural Performances are being held to welcome the guests as they arrive at the lobby. It also showcases some of the paintings of local artist, Mario Patdu. The Museo Research Center contains a collection of books, documents, journals, and other reading materials or references where visitors, researchers, and students can freely access. On the Second Floor are the permanent
Museo ng Muntinlupa
galleries namely; Buhay Gallery, Talino Gallery, and Lakas Gallery, that showcase the history and culture of Muntinlupa City. These galleries are thoughtfully designed to display artifacts, photographs, artworks, and interactive displays to provide the guests and visitors a comprehensive understanding of the city’s heritage. The Third floor houses the Changing Exhibits which are devoted to temporary exhibitions and the Interactive Gallery. On the Fourth floor is the Conference Room, it is equipped with a projector and projector screen which serves as a versatile space for various activities, including lectures, workshops, seminars, performances, and other special events. This flexible space can be adapted to accommodate different setups and configurations. Lastly, the Museum Theater is a state-of-the-art space that can accommodate up to 200 guests, it is mainly used for film showings, award ceremonies, symposia, etc.
At the moment, Muntinlupa City Mayor Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon gives importance to the city’s tourism, culture and the arts. He continues to improve the Museo ng Muntinlupa spaces and digital amenities. Also, he creates new infrastructure projects that give importance to their architectural design. The Museo ng Muntinlupa is a testament to the city’s commitment to uphold, preserve and promote its heritage.
Project Name:
Year Completed:
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Lot Area:
Gross Built Area:
Architectural Firm:
Contact Details:
Office Address:
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Construction of Muntinlupa City Museum and Arts
2018
Centennial Avenue, Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
1,176 sq m
3,025.32 sq m
City Architect’s Office
8 862‐2711 local 163
National Road, Putatan Muntinlupa City
Ar. Beaudon D. Causapin, uap
City Architect’s Office
City Government of Muntinlupa / Tourism, Cultural and Arts Department
AVLS (All Visual and Lights System) & D.L. Cervantes Construction Corp.
Public Information Office ‐ City Government of Muntinlupa
Tourism, Cultural and Arts Department ‐ City Government of Muntinlupa
Iloilo City, the City of Love, prides itself on its rich culture, captivating heritage, colorful past, dynamic present, and promising future. With the city’s grit towards growth, it has always been at the forefront of innovation, progress, and development. Vying to be one of the modernized cities, Iloilo City advocates nature preservation and active eco-tourism development.
With a strong and driven Local Government Unit (LGU), Iloilo City aims to expand its natural landscape aside from its well-known Esplanade, one of the longest linear parks in the country, that has tapped United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Iloilo Bahandi Chapter which is one of the youngest architecture organizations to design the Iloilo Tree Park.
The UAP Iloilo Bahandi Chapter, chartered in 2019, derived its name from an Ilonggo vernacular which means precious touch, is an organization that continuously upholds its commitment to national building through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Projects known as “Haplos Bahandi”. Under the said program is the flagship project known as “Dihon”, an Ilonggo vernacular which means to preciously craft, mold or create. Through Dihon, the chapter offers collaboration, design assistance, conceptual process, and consultancy for different LGU’s Eco- Tourism development.
One of the projects proposed under Dihon is the proposed Iloilo Tree Park located in Brgy. Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo, City. It employs architectural planning with respect to nature as prime consideration
which aims to preserve endangered species of native trees and propagation of pervasive plants to boost the flora and fauna giving nature feels amid city life.
Furthermore, Iloilo Tree Park aims to further provide venues for community interaction and recreation activities to boost city’s eco- tourism with focus on heritage through feature art installations showcasing Iloilo aborigine and Aeta culture.
Haplos Bahandi: Dihon, work force was headed by its chapter president Ar. Suvisor Nonard, Ar. Lucia Suarnaba, Ar. Rosa Lea Ajesta and Ar. Cyrus Conrad
Avelino with the collaborative efforts of young Bahandi “DreamTeam” architects: Ar. Marianne Kaye Ofianga (team leader), Ar. Milwen Guerra II, Ar. Timothy Andrew Keng, Romer Soria, Ar. Marie Deanne C. Berganio, Ar. John Arman B. Andreo, Ar. Christine Joy Bearneza, Ar. Azrielle Rith Bactung, Ar. Joseph Allan Surilla, Ar. Nel Colene Caminian, Ar. Patricia Jane Escopel, Ar. CJ Sodusta, and Ar. Urien Arancilo. This team of architects teamed up to create several architectural designs that lived up to the goals of Dihon project.
Among these designs include Gawang, Dawon, Banglid, Taytay, Dagyang, Dungganon, Handumanan, and Balay Pangabuhi-an.
Gawäng is an entrance psychologically gives the welcoming feel and commence a memorable experience and leaves an unforgettable first impression. Gawang is a gateway made of tensile materials, forming a combination of arcade and grid lines that incorporates biophilic design.
Daw- on roots for llonggo vernacular daho, a hand giving gesture. Daw-on is a hand gesture ready to receive. The concept is derived from a fruit-bearing tree which is incorporated in its interior and
mimics the leaf shape plan, radiating towards the open area. It focuses on the growth and showcases its rich root-promoting identity, history, culture, and lifestyle of the local community.
Banglid in Ilonggo vernacular is a mound or sloped portion of a land. It is with the same concept that this feature stands. Applying a mounding technique to prevent water from pooling randomly serves as a rainwater catchment.
Talaytay is a combination of two vernacular terms: taytay-meaning bridge or link and latay which means to walkthrough. Talaytay is a combination of elevated boardwalks, gravel pathways, concrete slab, and leaf-patterned bricks.
Dagyang is a Hiligaynon word that means dance and rooted from Dinagyang, a religious and cultural festivity that Iloilo City is globally known as it honors Sr. Sto. Niño has become an llonggo Tradition celebrated every third week of January.
The stage, as the prominent feature of the area, depicts a germinating seed about to sprout a single leaf.
llonggo always take nobility in their labor, crafts, and talents. A Dungganon Pavilion is merely a decoration, it should enhance user experience. The Iloilo Tree Park development features canopy sculptures that will serve as a focal point that would further entice people to explore and immerse themselves in the showcase of Iloilo’s rich heritage and culture.
Remembrance for safekeeping that would remind great memories of a place we visit is a very Ilonggo character. The Handumanan is a Market Display area that will promote local and indigenous products.
The proposed Balay Pangabuhi-an center funded by the Iloilo City Government as part of the development of the Proposed Iloilo Botanical Park promotes much needed job training and livelihood development for the creation of essential family income in the Aeta’s in the area. The Pangabuhian center is an open floorplan plan that is enclosed in bamboo and bricks conceptualized from a sprout that characterized by a mass of roots of about equal diameter. The structure is characterized using daylighting, natural ventilation, organic materials as it still maintains the connectivity of its surrounding nature and the users inside.
The Iloilo Tree Park’s conceptualization started in 2020 prior to Covid-19 Pandemic. Last July 2022, UAP Iloilo Bahandi Chapter with high spirit pushed to present the original concept to Hon. Jerry P. Treñas, City Mayor of Iloilo. With the mayor’s approval, UAP Iloilo Bahandi presented its Final Iloilo Tree Park Concept and was subject for budget allocation process.
With the city’s aim to showcase and preserve various endangered Panay native trees in the Philippines while becoming a venue for recreation and educational interaction for the community and students through the incorporation of art installations/sculptures from local artists heart, the Iloilo Tree Park will soon rise in the heart of the city of love. UAP Iloilo Bahandi envisions the tree park as a catalyst in paving the way for Iloilo City to be recognized as one of the art capitals of the country. A vision that is simply precious and truly Bahandi!
I am an architect based in Manila, and a member of the UAP QC Central Chapter. In 2020, I have graduated with a masters degree in development management and completed a management research report (MRR) entitled “a strategy to develop the Lakbay Lakaran (Travel Walk) Program of Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista to support the conservation, preservation, restoration (CPR) of the historic city of Manila.” Techniques in this paper can be replicated to another site with assistance from the government handling cultural heritage concerns as there is now the availability of the cultural mapping toolkit to identify values and risks of a site regarding the subject focus.
The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) under the provision of Republic Act 10096 or the National Heritage Act of 2009 and through joint memorandum circular no. 2018 -01 dated October 9, 2018 entitled local inventory of cultural property as required under the law, requires local government units to establish and maintain a local cultural property registry as part of the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP), the registry of all cultural property. The Heritage Act of 2009 requires an LGU to have an arts and culture council in implementing the NCCA-assisted cultural mapping activity.
Concerned parties may approach the local government unit (LGU) of a site to ask about the
adoption and implementation of the policy on mapping cultural heritage. The local inventory can then be used as reference to develop tourism activities and promote economic activities in an area. The city tourism office can provide tour services to local and foreign tourists. Tour models can be replicated by locals for economic gains. Support facilities for tourism such as hotels and tourist transport can ask of tax incentives in the early stages of enterprise development. Check if the government offices offer other forms of technical assistance to find resources or connect parties especially funding for proposals.
More information about the site can be requested through the government planning offices. These documents are the comprehensive land use plan, socio-economic profile, and maps.
Architects can explore opportunities with predesign services especially at early stages of identifying possible architectural interventions. The pre-design service covers economic feasibility studies, project financing, site selection and analysis, site utilization and land-use studies, architectural programming, space management studies, proposal brief, and promotional services.
A community tour is a good opportunity to have a rapid area assessment (RAA) reviewed with initial site profile from the government agencies to check economic feasibility of pursuing development. These includes finding a market that would address project financing as activities go along. Cultural Mapping activities contribute to site analysis and utilization. Check if there were other organizations who visited and did a need assessment to use for architectural programming and space management studies at least for a community center to accommodate parties providing assistance. The community tour will keep a system to entertain guests in an organized manner with least resource.
Aside from provision of a community facility, relocation sites or social housing sites are envisioned to be the new home of the families for a better future. The community shall need assistance for housing guidelines and procurement of necessary resources. A quick search on the internet for the topic shows material entitled, “Standards for Housing Design and
Construction: Relevance/ Applicability in the View of “New Normal”” by Ar. Maria Benita Regala, presented by then manager of Housing Technology Development Office (HTDO), in the Philippine National Housing Authority (NHA) in April 2014.
Polish a proposal brief that shall be posted to the public to call for action and achieve project development milestones. Identify platforms to reach markets through promotional services. With the emergence of technology, promotional services can be social media postings, website landing pages, blog, and videos with animated effects.
In the pre-design service, the economic feasibility includes legal and administrative basis to support proceeding with proposals. It is advantageous to identify local organizations that would be a co-owner and advocate of the proposals for longterm sustainability and to realize the pride of place for locals as the residents has the most presumed accessibility and stake in the area. In every project, transactions including financing are to be accounted for.When there is a decided proponent or host organization, coordination is centralized for better communication and regular project reviews. The organize group can be private groups, for-profit or nonprofit groups, government agencies, or community associations.
Community Mortgage Programs (CMP) of the Social Housing Finance Corporation look for community associations to run the program. These community associations can be the local barangay with officers or non-government associations like homeowners or cooperatives. Communities are assisted on their finances through mortgages to build and own homes. Social housing sites can benefit from these government programs to help residing communities improve resources and have a better quality of life.
With the project financing, the pre-design service can be proceeded with site studies and space programming to develop the most appropriate design for the communities. Provisions for community facilities are cited and recommended
in the rules and standards for economic and social housing as supported from the Batasang Pambansa BP 220; 1-2% allocation for a range of lots per hectare.
This initiative calls for partnership between the private, public, and communities to help disaster stricken areas through the leadership of UAP colleagues and other allied professionals. In this review, the most strategic position is to present this paper to a local Arts and Culture Council that the cultural mapping program be started with assistance of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts. The program includes finding partners that would be beneficial in the success of the program outcome.
Section 5 of the Republic Act of 2009, National Heritage Act of 2009 defines “cultural properties considered Important cultural property for purposes of protecting cultural property against exportation, modification, or demolition.” Among the list of classification is “structures dating at least fifty (50) years old. While “the property owner may petition the appropriate cultural agency to remove the presumption of important cultural property which shall not be unreasonably withheld,” it is advantageous to the local community to develop presumed important cultural properties through conservation methods because of multiple benefits such as scientific evidence referencing architecture and engineering technology in history, pride of place contributing to social health, social security, environmental risk reduction.
Social security can develop from communal activities, affinity, familiarity and belongingness. A communal area supported and utilized by the locals and visitors can be known enough to gather pooled resources. These communal areas can be the church, parks, club houses, health centers, convention halls, library and information centers, tourist centers, dining venues, and exhibit rooms. With significant events, a communal area can be a local important cultural property as declared by the people in the area themselves.
Given the presumed important cultural property status, the property owner can seek assistance from private professionals or concerned government agency for economic feasibility. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has a technical assistance program (TAP) where a designated professional is sent to make a rapid assessment and draft a technical description as reference to advance conservation objectives. Through the technical assistance program (TAP), the locals concerned can launch a maximum of five (5)-day awareness activity on cultural heritage topics with assistance on funding and recommended resources speakers and technical experts to attract and build the initial team for early phases, usually property administration, to handle and coordinate proceedings especially project financing. If the property is significant enough among the national list of applicants for assistance with the year, one can seek a funding grant for a conservation management plan (CMP) from the government amounting to Php 300,000. Otherwise, the administration can run a fundraising campaign, register for bank loans, or apply for funding grants from other institutions with similar advocacy.
Site analysis and utilization activity can be started with macrosite and microsite profiling research, asbuilt documentation (drawings of the building,
and background narrative), and condition survey (markings of portions in need of attention by type of defect). Machines for assessing damages and repair needs can be utilized as necessary. These are covered in the conservation management plan (CMP) including user needs and activities translated to architectural space programs and management studies. Once the predesign service or research work is done through a conservation management plan (CMP), promotions for implementation can be activated. Traditional promotions are communal event announcements, newspaper circulation, social media postings, and word of mouth by advocates and supporters.
As sites develop to become urbanized, it is important that land use policies are updated through comprehensive land use zoning plans (CLUP) of a municipality or city. Buildings among other developments are one of the major contributor for carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to environmental risks and undesired global warming. The imbalance of environmental consumption affect our land, water, air resources which can be observed in the radical changes in the rock cycle, water cycle, and carbon cycle. The environmental risks had been a challenge for many years and rapid measures to counter the imbalance is necessary. Green spaces contribute to counter carbon emission through photosynthesis of plants converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. Bamboo as a grass was studied as one of the fastest growing plant to counter the environmental risks. Bamboos can grow tall within four (4) to five (5) years.
A low-rise high density (LRHD) urban development is dense enough to support public mass transportation and low enough to not need an elevator which consumed a significant amount of energy compared to other mechanical building systems. The public mass transportation that has the lowest carbon emission per kilometer compared to other form of transport are the train and the waterborne transport. It is beneficial to limit the carbon footprint in an area to manage environmental risks. It is beneficial to study how at-grade rail transport system compares to an elevated and underground rail transport system in terms of carbon emission, energy consumption, and economic efficiency.
Distribution: This material was created for general awareness and discussion purpose only. Information here has not been peer-reviewed and may contain errors. You may reach the writer for inquiries and other related concerns.
April Valle and Harold Delima
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, it became evident that public spaces were critical community infrastructure for cities as these supported our compliance with physical distancing measures, social activities, and access to nature. As the world continues to recover from the pandemic, placemaking can play a key role in the rejuvenation and creation of more public spaces – this is the motivation we had when we founded Placemaking Davao.
What is Placemaking?
It aims to create spaces that are functional, attractive, and reflective of the needs and values of the community, therefore encouraging social interaction and creating stronger connections between people and these places. This can be achieved through engaging with the community and stakeholders as part of the design process, allowing us to gather valuable insights and input that can inform the design of the space.
There are several ways that Placemaking can contribute to creating better public spaces:
• Involving the community: Placemaking involves engaging with the local community and promoting inclusive design by seeking input from a diverse range of stakeholders of all ages and backgrounds. This helps to ensure that the public spaces are planned and designed based on evidence, and tailored to the needs and preferences of the people who use them.
• Promoting good design: Placemaking emphasises the importance of well-design spaces and seeks to create public spaces
Placemaking is a planning, design, and management approach that seeks to create public spaces that promote the health, happiness, and wellbeing of its users.Placemaking makes use of creative activities to engage with the community to hear their feedback on a project. Photo by Harold Delima.
that are visually appealing and comfortable to be in. This can be achieved through the use of landscaping, seating, and other design elements that promote local culture and heritage. These contribute to its overall aesthetic, which may lead to a community’s increased sense of ownership and pride for these local spaces.
• Promoting social interaction: Placemaking seeks to create public spaces that encourage social interaction and foster a sense of community. This can be achieved through the design of the space, as well as through programming and events that bring people together.
• Connecting people to nature: Placemaking emphasises the importance of designing with context, wherein elements such as the environment, the local culture, and the space’s unique features are highlighted in the design. This promotes the connection that people can have to a place because it brings out its own character which sets it apart from other spaces.
• Designing for multiple uses: Placemaking focuses on creating public spaces that can be used for a variety of activities, such as socialising, recreation, and cultural events. This helps to create a sense of vitality and ensures that the spaces are used frequently and by a diverse group of people.
Overall, placemaking is a holistic approach to creating better public spaces that takes into account the needs and interests of the community to inform the design of the space, and the activities and events that take place within it.
Placemaking Davao was launched in June 2022 when we were chosen to be one of the award recipients of the 2022 Alumni Grant Scheme, funded by the Australian Embassy in the Philippines through Australia Awards. The generous grant allowed Placemaking Davao to organise various workshops and campaigns, introducing and promoting Placemaking to stakeholders in Davao City. The goal of Placemaking Davao is to establish a network of like minded colleagues to foster collaborations and to support this network by providing resources to catalyse future Placemaking projects.
Through Placemaking Davao’s activities, we have been introduced to other colleagues from various backgrounds, professionals and ordinary citizens, who have also made it their mission to foster connections between people and places in Davao City. It would be remiss not to mention the support that two passionate overseas-based Davaoeños – Hong-Kong based architect Gianfranco Galagar and Netherlands-based graphic designer, Megan Palero – have extended in setting up the organisation, proving that international collaborations can be more easily done in this post-pandemic age. Besides this, we also had a successful collaboration earlier in the year with Place Agency, an Australian Placemaking group connected to the University of Melbourne, who led a training workshop for members of the academe and built environmental professionals. In October, we also had an opportunity to present to an audience of international architects and urban planners at the 28th Eastern Regional Organisation for Housing and Planning World Congress in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Post-pandemic recovery strategies rooted in Placemaking initiatives around the world inspired us to form a group dedicated to promoting this locally in Davao, which became ‘Placemaking Davao’. On choosing our name, we followed the convention of including the place’s name to identify our locale, practised by organisations that are a part of Placemaking X, an international network of practitioners who together accelerate placemaking as a way to create healthy, inclusive, and beloved communities. We look to the work of these colleagues, especially the ones based in Southeast Asia, as a reference to how our approach to the practice and promotion of Placemaking might be. In our current work, we hope to gather data, record our learnings, and to share this with other colleagues to develop the body of knowledge about Placemaking and our public spaces, particularly from a Philippine perspective.
Last October, Placemaking Davao collaborated with Design Davao Society to lead a series of visioning workshops as an event for Design Week Philippines 2022. The aim of the workshops was to convene diverse representatives of the community to come together to develop a shared vision for Davao City in 2037, the centennial anniversary of its cityhood. The workshop series was aptly titled “Puhon”, a Bisaya word and manifestation that expresses, “in the right time, our hopes and dreams will fall in place”.
The event saw over a hundred attendees for the three workshops (including one adapted for children), held at the beautifully designed Davao City Library, which only opened earlier in the year. Many workshop attendees commented that it was their first time to participate in a public consultation activity and that it gave them hope for the betterment of the city as they felt that they were able to contribute in their own way. Community engagement is very important in Placemaking –
In addition to the workshops, we installed a ‘Vision Wall’ in a well-trafficked corner of the City Library wherein library visitors can leave their answers to prompt questions similar to those discussed during the workshops. This allowed us to engage with those who could
by allowing community members to have a say in the planning and design of projects that will affect them, this feedback can be considered, leading to better design outcomes and greater long-term success of projects.The Puhon Vision Wall was installed at the Davao City Library to engage with library visitors and to listen to their perspectives about the future of Davao. Photo by Harold Delima The Puhon Vision Wall engaged with library visitors through questions such as, “What are the 5 qualities you believe that make a ‘happy place’?”.
not attend the workshops and to make them feel that they are still a part of the discourse. As designers, it was definitely interesting to hear these perspectives, which we normally are not privy to, but which are valuable insights nonetheless.
As is customary with our activities, we set aside a time for networking afterwards over coffee and merienda served by Davaoeño cafes and roasters as our way of supporting local businesses. These activities allow us to establish personal connections with the attendees and greatly contribute to community building, as these bring together like-minded persons with shared passions and purpose.
There are several reasons why we urge architects, urban designers, community leaders, and ordinary citizens to promote and participate in Placemaking:
• Placemaking is a holistic approach to design: Placemaking goes beyond simply designing a building or a space; it involves considering the needs and preferences of community members who will use the space, as well as the social, cultural, and economic context in which it will be located. This approach can help architects and urban designers to create spaces that are functional, attractive, and inclusive for all members of the community, regardless of their ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Placemaking encourages collaboration: Placemaking involves engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, such as residents, business owners, and community organisations, seeking their input in the design process. This encourages collaboration and helps to ensure that the resulting spaces reflect the needs and interests of the community.
• Placemaking can enhance the value of a project: By creating public spaces that are used frequently and appreciated by a diverse group of people, Placemaking contributes to the increase in value of a project, creating economic benefits which everyone can gain from.
Overall, Placemaking can support the creation of spaces that are functional, attractive, and welcoming to all members of the community, and that contribute to the social and economic development of the surrounding area. In contrast to traditional design processes, Placemaking involves collaborations with community members to enhance the technical knowledge provided by professionals such as architects and designers.
If you are interested in learning more about Placemaking Davao or would like to collaborate for a project, please reach out to us at placemaking. dvo@gmail.com or through our social media accounts at @placemaking.dvo.
