Saturday, December 06, 2008 Crisis ‘boosts’ green architecture
ALTHOUGH the global financial turmoil is slightly lowering the number of projects for architects, it also boosted the advocacy for “green” architecture.
More concepts for homes and buildings that encompass various principles of green architecture, such as energy efficiency, use of green materials and the putting up of green building systems, have been introduced.
Architect Alan Choachuy, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) district director for Cebu (C-1), revealed this in an interview with reporters during the opening of the National Architecture Week exhibit last Thursday at The Parkmall 168.
Green architecture primarily aims to reduce building operating costs, like energy use, and to minimize the structure’s negative effects to the environment. At the same time, it promotes a healthy lifestyle for the owners.
Choachuy cited that most lighting designs for homes and buildings now make use of LED or light-emitting diode that produces more light per watt than incandescent bulbs. Also, it has long lamp hours and it doesn’t emit heat that could damage sensitive materials.
He also noted that home owners, like those in subdivisions, now go for the building of green systems, such as a rainwater harvesting system, that could be used to collect and store rainwater.
“While the building of the system would mean an extra expense, the returns are big since the rainwater could be used for flushing toilets and watering the plants. This means more savings for the owner,” he said.
Choachuy also cited more designs utilize gypsum boards for the finish construction of interior walls and ceilings. Not only are these boards cheap, they are also durable and fire-resistant, he said.
Some of these designs were displayed in their four-day exhibit that intended to educate the public on the disparity between architecture and engineering—both are differentiated by the process of conceptualizing buildings and spaces.
Slowdown
Meanwhile, architects in the country have not yet felt a significant decrease in the number of projects they are receiving since developments are still being pursued by home owners and investors.
Choachuy noted, though, that the start of the construction of some projects of some architects has been rescheduled to the early part of next year. He explained that the demand for architects have been affected by the owners’ or investors’ “wait-and-see attitude” on the global financial crisis, prompting them to invest their money more wisely.
Architect Karl Cabilao, president of the UAP Area C-1 Sugbu chapter, added that architects are taking advantage of projects, even if they are as minor as renovations, while others are taking sideline jobs like teaching and writing to augment their income. (NRC)
