Bring green design to the Philippines: architects

Green initiatives are needed in the Philippines say archtiects. Photo: Getty.

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Architects in the Philippines are pushing for a greater emphasis on sustainable architecture in the wake of floods, typhoons and disaters that have rocked the island nation.

Speaking to media in Manila last week, architect Edgar Reformado, chairman of Green Architecture Advocacy of the Philippines (GAAP), said the pressing problem of climate change demands changes even in structural design.

“In this era of climate change, every nation has to make the environment a top agenda in governance to ensure a sustainable future. In the architectural field, we are doing efforts to pursue a green agenda in our construction and design roadmap," he said.

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FEATURED COMMENT Green Architecture should have long been applied in the Philippines knowing that our country is rich in natural material   4 Comments Read more comments »

He added that the country will benefit from green architecture, due to reduced energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions from urban centers.

“By adopting green practices in energy management, building owners will get a higher bottomline and at the same time help in making the environment cleaner. It will also enhance the occupant’s comfort and health,” Reformado said.

Also speaking at the briefing, Mike Guerrero, a member of GAAF, described green architecture as “designing according to what is around you…ecological and aesthetic harmony."

He said that green architecture should focus on the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle, with urban planning promoting energy and water efficiency and environmental protection, among others.