Lecture-Of-Ar.-Ali-Green-Architecture PDF

*FOR THOSE WHO THINK THAT ARCHITECTS ONLY MAKE NICE DRAWINGS (OR THAT ARCHITECTS NEED ONLY CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH AESTHETICS/ BUILDING FORM), YOU WILL NEED TO THINK AGAIN AS THE FOLLOWING ARE THE LEAST OF THE ARCHITECTS' CONCERNS.* *THE LISTING SHOWS SOME OF THE REASONS WHY ARCHITECTURE MUST ONLY...

*FOR THOSE WHO THINK THAT ARCHITECTS ONLY MAKE NICE DRAWINGS (OR THAT ARCHITECTS NEED ONLY CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH AESTHETICS/ BUILDING FORM), YOU WILL NEED TO THINK AGAIN AS THE FOLLOWING ARE THE LEAST OF THE ARCHITECTS' CONCERNS.* *THE LISTING SHOWS SOME OF THE REASONS WHY ARCHITECTURE MUST ONLY BE PRACTICED BY DULY-QUALIFIED ARCHITECTS (AND NOT BY OTHER TYPES OF PROFESSIONALS, CONSTRUCTORS OR DEVELOPERS WHO MAY BE MORE CONCERNED WITH OTHER THINGS). THE ARCHITECTS MUST ALWAYS UPHOLD THE CLIENT'S INTERESTS ABOVE ALL, EVEN ABOVE THEIR OWN.* *THE FOLLOWING ARE ALSO REASONS WHY ARCHITECTS IN THE PHILIPPINES PREPARE FOR 7 YEARS BEFORE FORMALLY JOINING THE PRACTICE AND THEREAFTER CONTINUE TO TRAIN ON NEW & EMERGING PRACTICE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSETS.* Insofar as the architectural planning and design of projects are concerned, the Architect must endeavor to provide and promote sustainable grounds planning and building design practices, which may encompass most of the following considerations: A. FULL COMPLIANCE WITH BASIC DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS (DCS) Development controls (DCs) are a body of applicable international agreements, conventions, standards, and the like, and of Philippine (PH) laws and related executive issuances at the national and local levels i.e. rules/ regulations (crafted with or without legislative oversight), guidelines, standards, procedural manuals and their implementing mechanisms e.g. executive orders, administrative orders, department administrative orders, memorandum circulars and similar policy instruments, or of private sector self-regulatory DCs, that may complement or even contradict each other (whereby the strictest DC prevails and where the strictest/ most stringent rule specifically refers to the least amount of permissible development or construction or intervention at both the natural and built environments), but which are all collectively intended to limit the level of physical development on both private property and on the permitted portions of the public domain encompassing the surfaces of, the sub-surfaces of and the air above the land and the water. 1\. National-level DCs in the Philippines/ PH (as applicable to the Project) The following are the physical planning, architectural and allied design/ works guidelines and references that are typically utilized by the DPWH, the DILG, the DOTr and other PH infrastructure-related agencies i.e. governing laws covering national-level and local-level development controls/ DCs), local development-oriented ordinances, rules & regulations, codes & department orders, and the like, as the same apply to land use planning, physical planning (horizontal) and building design (vertical) programs/ projects, to wit : The following are laws that incorporate elements of building and facility planning/ design references and are NOT utilized by DPWH as these are under independent agencies such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), to wit: R.A. No. 7916, as amended by R.A. No. 8748, The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, also known as An Act Providing for the Legal Framework and Mechanisms for the Creation, Operation, Administration, and Coordination of Special Economic Zones in the Philippines, Creating for this Purpose, the PEZA, which also gave rise to the PEZA OBOs, and its latest IRR, as applicable; and R.A. No. 9593, The Tourism Act of 2009 which created the TIEZA and its OBO; and its latest IRR, as applicable. Other building standards i.e. standards that are not found in the NBCP or that are more detailed than those found in the NBCP (in their latest editions), only as applicable, but which are subject to review by the LGU Office of the Building Official (OBO) are as follows: for tourism facilities, Department of Tourism (DoT) standards and guidelines; for hospitals and health care facilities c/o the DoH; for primary and secondary school buildings c/o the Dep Ed; for tertiary school buildings c/o the CHED; for public markets c/o the DTI and/or the HLURB and other concerned attached agencies of the HUDCC; for recreational facilities c/o the HLURB and HUDCC; for sports facilities c/o the PSC; for heritage conservation facilities c/o the NCCA and its attached agencies; for office and residential condominiums c/o the HLURB and other attached agencies of the HUDCC; for economic housing c/o the HLURB and HUDCC; socialized housing c/o the NHA and HUDCC i.e. following B.P. Blg. 220 standards rather than P.D. No. 1096 standards; Other building standards i.e. standards that are not found in the NBCP or that are more detailed than those found in the NBCP (in their latest editions), only as applicable, but which are NOT subject to review by the LGU Office of the Building Official (OBO) but are instead reviewed and approved by the respective internal/ independent OBOs, are as follows: for industrial sites and buildings c/o the PEZA; and for tourism facilities c/o the TIEZA. Other applicable physical planning and building standards are as follows: those dictated under Philippine jurisprudence; and those requiring compliance under international law or agreements signed by the Philippine Government. 2\. Local-level DCs (as applicable to the subject Project, and mainly if more stringent than the NBCP) LGU zoning ordinance (ZO), including its main annex, the Official Zoning Map (OZM), all duly approved by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB); and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), that may encompass various types of development-related ordinances; ZOs and OZMs should preferably be based on comprehensive land-water-air-subsurface use plans (CLWASUPs), which shall encompass municipal waters (using NAMRIA-delineated municipal water boundaries/ MWBs, subsurface resources including aquifers and underground waterways, aerodromes and definable air rights, view corridors, and the like. LGU special ordinances (SOs) that are development-related, and in the areas of public housing, the use of municipal waters, underground/ subsurface resources, parks and open spaces, tourism, transportation and parking, traffic management, public education, public health and sanitation, agriculture and fisheries, the public domain, and the like. All of the foregoing must be supported by IRRs and executive orders/ issuances by the LGU mayor. 3\. Self-Imposed or Voluntary-level DCs (as applicable to the subject Project, and mainly if more stringent than the NBCP) Deeds of Restrictions (DoRs) and Sustainable Development Guidelines and Standards (SDGS) in various formats for the use of both private and public lot parcels and for the limited/ controlled/ monitored use of portions of the public domain (to include legal easements along waterways, road rights-of-way/ RROWs and other forms of rights-of-way/ ROWs, public parks/ forests and open spaces, conservation areas, and the like). The various other design standards, guidelines, etc. prepared by professional associations and based on industry practices (particularly if more detailed or more stringent than official DCs), and likewise on the valid and subsisting professional regulatory laws (PRLs) on PH soil also fall under this category. 4\. PH Jurisprudence as DCs (as applicable to the subject Project) PH Supreme Court (SC) rulings on development related issues, particularly in cases where a Writ of Kalikasan (environmental writ) or where a Mandamus Order have been promulgated, or where such a ruling has become final and executory (or entered in the Book of Judgment). B. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND GREEN ARCHITECTONICS FOR BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES, THEIR SITES/GROUNDS AND AFFECTED PORTIONS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN (RROWS/ STREETS, OTHER ROWS LEGAL EASEMENTS, AND THE LIKE) 1\. General Principles (as applicable to the Project) 2\. Energy and Resource Efficiency (as applicable to the Project) a\) The architectonics of a building shall be energy-efficient, to effectively reduce energy consumption, water consumption, operating costs and environmental impact. A building shall be sustainably planned, designed, used/occupied, managed/ administered, and operated and maintained. The key principles of sustainable buildings revolve around its site and surroundings, energy/water/material/resource efficiency inlcuding the use of costruction and finishing materials with low embodied energy, overall carbon footprint reduction, indoor air quality, waste reduction and low operating/maintenance costs. b\) The passive sustainable building design features of a building require it to use the least amount of energy, water and other resources while maintaining a healthy and comfortable lifestyle for its occupants; c\) The active sustainable building design features of a building/structure imply the use of equipment that run on renewable resources such as wind turbines, solar panels, hydro, geothermal, and the like, that help conserve natural and non-renewable resources, only as applicable and based on the Owner's decision to introduce such devices; d\) Rainwater harvesting facilities or storm/surface water impounding structures or water forms such as controlled/monitored ponds or pools shall be introduced, particularly where no drainage system or drainage right-of-way (DROW) is available; e\) A green roof, which consists of managed and/or productive soil and plant material on top of a deck roof may be introduced on top of a building/structure: Provided that the proper, supportive structural and sanitary engineering provisions are also provided; f\) The use of recyclable and recycled materials for the construction and finishing of buildings/structures shall be practiced where applicable; g\) The overall reduction of carbon footprints by all of the users/occupants of buildings/structures, and of the building and grounds themselves, shall be factored into all physical planning, urban and building design, construction, administration/management, use/occupancy, operation and maintenance of all buildings/structures and put into active practice as much as possible; h\) The use of construction/finishing materials with low embodied energy values (relating to sourcing, manufacturing, transportation relating to the sourcing/production/delivery, installation, use, operation and maintenance, replacement, disposal, recycling and reuse, shall be practiced by all architects, engineers, allied designers, constructors, developers, owners for all buildings/structures and their grounds/sites; i\) The use of construction/finishing materials with very low toxicity and flame spread characteristics, particularly in case of fire, explosion and related emergencies shall be specified; j\) Where applicable, the use of alternative construction/finishing materials and building technologies that provide better insulation against excessive light, heat, sound/noise, and odor pollution as well as unnecessary visual clutter, shall be specified; k\) Maximization of natural light and ventilation for buildings/structures as well as the privacy, safety and security of building occupants and users, through full compliance with the pertinent provisions under valid and subsisting DCs; l\) Where applicable, energy conservation and management including the use of automated/building management systems (BMS) for the electrical, electronics, mechanical and sanitary/plumbing components of the building/structure, the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), where applicable shall be observed: Provided, that the proper collection, storage, transport and related waste handling procedures are also practiced, particularly in the case of CFLs, and the like; m\) Domestic water conservation and management through low-flow water fixtures, waterless urinals (when suitable), dual-flush toilets, fixtures with motion sensors, and the like shall be utilized where applicable; n\) The use of the correct colors and textures and of the correct color cum texture combinations in conjunction with proper construction/finishing material selection for the building/structure exterior to address heat and light reflection and exterior-interior building temperatures shall be observed; o\) Considering that existing buildings already represent committed/spent resources that can be put to adaptive reuse, old but structurally-fit buildings/structures shall be conserved, preserve, and/or adaptively reused; p\) Proper matching of the appropriate lot sizes and configurations with the intended use/occupancy for the building/structure and its site/grounds shall be observed so that the intended carrying capacity of the host site and community is not exceeded; q\) Always check for over-building and over-paving, which constitute willful violations of this Act, and which are materially deleterious to both the natural and built environments; and r\) Always anticipate and address the potential obsolescence of building components, content and materials as these must be well-planned/ designed for to significantly reduce waste over the long term. 3\. Layout, Form and Finish (as applicable to the Project) a\) Climatic characteristics establish the basic factors that need to be taken into account in terms of building features related to the architecture of high-density mixed-use buildings in the hot-humid tropical climate of the Philippines. b\) While most rooms are artificially-ventilated (for indoor climate control), end-users can greatly benefit from outdoor breezes. In particular, breezes shall pass through the non-air-conditioned communal/common building spaces and outdoor spaces. The orientation and construction of buildings/structures shall exploit and maximize the amount of air movements i.e. passive cooling. c\) While natural ventilation is a must, it is equally important to complement it with sufficient provisions that protect the end-users from excessive sun, light and heat. d\) The exterior color and texture selection for a building/structure must balance reflected light and heat. e\) The proactive use of non-traditional building materials that have high to very high insulating, pest-proofing, fire-resisting, water-repelling and other beneficial properties is encouraged, such as wood-wool cement-bonded board (CBB), fiber cement board (FCB), and the like, which come in different densities, textures and finish preparations, and which shall be used when applicable. f\) Major buildings should be designed with relatively open, elongated plan form with rooms generally distributed in single rows to allow for maximum cross ventilation and the penetration of breezes (passive cooling techniques through the floors, walls and ceilings and through roof and ceiling cavities). g\) Projecting canopies or broad overhanging eaves shall provide shading to outdoor social and circulation areas; shading devices shall provide both essential protection and a means to define and articulate architectural characteristics; h\) High ceilings or use of double-roof construction shall be used as applicable, and enclosed ceiling and/or roof cavities, shall be either actively or passively cooled; i\) Inexpensive insulating and pest-proofing devices for all building/structure elements shall be considered; j\) Window openings shall always relate to sunlight, such as the integration of shading devices to minimize direct radiation, reduce sky glare, permit adequate natural lighting and allow outward views; k\) Where applicable, the use of water and water mist/spray can also be employed to cool the building environment and its grounds. l\) The architectural materials used shall reflect the development image, visual context, the site\'s setting within the area and degree of harmony, or contrast being sought. Where possible however, properly-treated/processed local materials, preferably pest-proofed and more importantly, fire-resistant or retardant, shall be extensively used. m\) Quality materials and furniture, roadway, footpath and hard open space surfaces, shade structures, fencing, walls, lighting, bollards, rails, and the like, shall be introduced to heighten the environmental quality of grounds development. n\) As the general/overall environmental sustainability is a foremost consideration in construction and finishing material selection, commercially-grown hardwood/softwood varieties, processed wood products from wood wastes/debris/driftwood or recycled wood are preferred over naturally-occuring/grown/harvested tree varieties, particularly Philippine hardwoods which must be banned for construction/finishing use to help conserve our dwindling forest resources. The use of alternative construction and finishing materials such as the cement-bonded board (CBB) or fiber-cement board (FCB), and the like, which use both natural and artificial components, shall be encouraged to avail of their superior material properties. o\) The use of imported construction/finishing materials is only recommended if the comparative environmental planning/design value of the material is high to very high (and if the embodied energy value of the material is low). p\) Other sustainable design and green architectonic concerns, only if applicable, shall include: 4\. Site Development Works at Building/Structure Grounds (as applicable to the Project) a\) The building grounds shall be developed to enable all types of end-users to move around freely and safely. This requires the removal or treatment of site hazards, such as abrupt changes in ground elevation, presence of large amounts of running or surface water, sharp rocks or geologic formations, soft soil, organic debris, and the like. b\) Natural lighting and ventilation shall be provided within the grounds and the RROWs/streets: Provided, that all requirements under valid and subsisting DCs are fully satisfied, but it is equally important to introduce provisions that protect all end-users from excessive sun, light and heat. c\) The use of the correct surface color and texture selection for horizontal construction materials to balance reflected light and heat and to reduce near-ground ambient temperature is a must. The use of paving materials that allow for surface water percolation is highly encouraged, such as porous/well-drained asphalt mixes, smooth stones, paver blocks/tiles on sand bedding, and the like. d\) When choosing between asphalt and concrete pavement, the light and heat absorption or reflection properties (and ambient heat generated by the material), surface traction and surface water runoff or percolation shall become key factors for material choice. e\) All site developments should be sufficiently drained to prevent a host of health-related problems, particularly where stagnant water can be found. Only properly-sized, connected and sloped drainage and sewerage lines shall be in place. f\) If at all possible, all developments shall never interfere with the normal movement of water/hydraulics in and around the building site. Intervention is encouraged if damage is caused to the land by excessive water movements, such as scouring and erosion. 5\. Environmental (as applicable to the Project) a\) Building plans and designs shall relate/adapt to the hot-humid tropical environment of the Philippines that feature high humidity levels. All buildings shall incorporate indoor-outdoor (or organic design-oriented) relationships through use of open-sided lobbies, verandas, patios, and courtyard gardens where applicable. Building design should also take advantage of any views fronting or surrounding the site to help maximize organic relationships with the host site. The use of manily glass-encased buildings is not encouraged as the practice comes with very high indoor cooling and related operating and maintenance costs. Established principles for creating sustainably-planned/designed, green architectonics-oriented and tropical design-oriented plan and design solutions shall be fully integrated into all buildings/structures. b\) The maintenance of minimum sanitation and hygiene standards is also essential for restaurants, bars, and toilet/bathing facilities. Usually sanitation standards, in the form of a national or local public health code (such as The Sanitation Code), shall be continually sought for proactive review by the DHSUD with the DoH for adequacy. Public health standards also relate to room size, ventilation, and fenestration (door, window or other natural light and/or ventilation opening) requirements. c\) In the case of portions of mixed-use/commercial buildings/structures that are made of highly combustible materials, such as dried leaves/grass, bamboo, sawali, rattan, plywood, plyboard, softwood, and the like, the plans/designs of such buildings/structures shall extensively consider wind directions during the dry months; the outermost projections of such buildings/structures, such as roof eaves, balconies, awning windows, and the like shall also preferably be at least six (6.0) m away from the adjoining structures' outermost projection/s; in areas where wind is strong during the summer months, a system of fire hydrants positioned at a minimum of say eighteen to twenty four (18.0 -- 24.0) m apart should be in place; it would also be most helpful if the individual buildings/structures are surrounded by trees with large leaves that not only act as fire buffers but heighten comfort, privacy and security as well. d\) Good physical planning and design are only as good as the operation and management of the building/structure. Sustainable development requires an environmental management program (EMP) that shall cover environmental awareness, good practice, staff training, visitor education and environmental monitoring and evaluation procedures. e\) The sewage treatment system (STS) of a building/structure shall be adequate, especially when sited at environmentally-sensitive locations, such as rolling terrain, waterways, habitats, and the like Sewage from buildings/structures shall be treated in accordance with the effluent standards of DENR Administrative Order No. 35, series of 1990 or later superseding issuances. The use of treated/processed sewage water for toilet flushing or for watering plants shall be encouraged to help reduce the amount of sewage. f\) Standards with respect to the degree of sewage treatment required -primary, secondary, or tertiary, and the disposal technique of effluent, based on preventing any pollution. Investigation shall be implemented to tap potentials for recycling sewage effluent, especially in water-deficient areas, for use as landscaping irrigation water or other domestic or even possible potable use. g\) In the absence of a sewer system, septic tanks shall fully process sewage before direct discharge to the wastewater drainage system. h\) Flooding arising from natural causes shall be prevented as much as possible through correct and economical engineering interventions, such as interceptor trenches, culverts, dikes, retention or impounding structures, and the like (as needed). i\) Wastewater may be processed by chemical means to help limit its negative effect on living organisms, such as bio-oxygen demand (BOD) of 10 parts per million (ppm) or less or better. Wastewater may be mixed. However, sewage water and kitchen wastewater may be mixed with other types of wastewater only after these have undergone the proper treatment or processing. j\) Water sources can be rainwater, freshwater, well-sourced water, other types of harvested ground water or seawater (as applicable). Distances between source points and usage points shall be minimized. A three to four (3-4) day supply reserve may be ideal for most types buildings/structures and should be considered in the designed water storage capacity. Use low-pressure distribution systems to minimize system leakages. k\) A solid waste management program for the building/structure shall be well-coordinated by all stakeholders (public and private sectors) as it is not the sole responsibility of the public sector. Any waste management system shall be integrated with that of the rest of the host community and the LGU. The recycling of solid waste should be required to the greatest extent possible. No person, shall dump refuse on any part of the site/grounds, except in the designated areas for such material/refuse. No weeds, rubbish, debris, objects or materials of any kind shall be placed or permitted to accumulate within such grounds/site. Garbage and recycling materials shall be placed in covered containers only, preferably out of public view. Waste shall be segregated by using separate trash containers for biodegradable and non-biodegradable trash. Trash collection and handling shall be conducted according to or higher than local standards. The composting of contained and inoffensive kitchen and yard waste is encouraged only if space can be made available. Approved composting devices shall be maintained completely out of public view. The incineration of trash and refuse is prohibited under law. Solid waste handling or disposal sites shall never be allowed in identified preservation and conservation areas, particularly within watersheds. Solid waste collection shall be performed routinely every twelve (12) hours if possible. The segregation of organic and inorganic solid wastes shall be performed immediately after collection. Ideally, separate waste bins shall be supplied at the source so that segregation is done earlier. The following practice of color-coding solid wastes may be followed: l\) Sorting and storage facilities shall be well away from activity areas so that foul odors shall not permeate such areas. Organic solid wastes (particularly kitchen and leftover food or food waste) on-site as these readily decompose, attract pests and unwanted insects/animals/vermin and emit foul odor shall not be stored. The hauling or removal of waste off-site should be done either late at night or dawn. The use of open dumpsites is prohibited by law as the use of sanitary landfills is prescribed. m\) The applicable provisions periodic issuances of the Department of Energy (DoE) shall be used as the primary reference for energy conservation in buildings/structures and their sites/grounds. An electrical inspection shall be satisfied for the renewal of the annual LGU-issued permit to operate the building/structure. A mix of power sources shall be employed so that the electrical system shall not be overly dependent on one (1) power source. If a generator is used, noise and fume abatement measures shall all be in place. n\) To maximize the cooling of structures/buildings, the correct architectural orientation with respect to sun, wind and rain shall be prioritized. Passive cooling techniques, wide/extended overhangs and other green architectonic solutions or tropical architecture devices should be widely employed in the planning and design of buildings/structures. The positioning of buildings/structures under/behind/beside exterior natural or artificial shading devices shall be practiced, such as ornamental or shade trees, heat-reflecting or absorbing (as applicable) walls or greenery, and the like. Use light exterior colors for the structures to reflect unwanted light and heat and to provide for a cooler interior. While electric fans are preferred over air-conditioners, the building/structure shall always offer building users the option to avail of either means of artificial ventilation. Use only low consumption but high output electrical devices such as LED luminaires or better. Use only rated electrical devices to be able to monitor consumption properly. o\) If the technology becomes fully accessible at a low acquisition/operating/maintenance cost, the use of devices that can economically harness solar, wind, tide/wave and geothermal power in appropriate quantities for domestic use shall be promoted. 6\. Social and Cultural Inclusion (as applicable to the Project) a\) Emphasis shall be placed on architectural designs for persons with disabilities (PWDs), in compliance with both B.P. Blg. 344, and with R.A. No. 7277, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons of 1991" and their IRRs or their successor laws/IRRs, including provisions for the physically-disabled, sensory-impaired, slower-moving elderly people, and the mentally-challenged. Barrier-free architectural design shall be applied to buildings/structures, attractions and amenities-facilities-services-utilities/ AFSU (where applicable), with techniques applied such as the use of hard, relatively smooth, wide indoor paved surfaces, ramped access with automatic door openings or through bars at entrances to buildings/structures, and restrooms and public telephones designed for use by persons on wheelchairs. In high- ambulatory/pedestrian traffic areas, vehicular traffic should be well-separated from pedestrian access-ways for safety reasons in general and especially for the safety of the PWDs. At such areas, presentation techniques should include those that can be appreciated by the sensory-impaired and mentally-challenged, with special programs organized where relevant. b\) Emphasis shall also be placed on design considerations that address various sensitivities related to gender and age, such as the physical needs of end-users such as women, young adults, children, babies and the elderly, particularly as the same relates to ambulatory and sanitation-or personal hygiene-related activities. C. CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RESILIENCY IN BUILDING AND GROUNDS PLANNING AND DESIGN 1\. Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) as applicable to the Project The following are key CCA considerations relative to the appreciation, interpretation, implementation and enforcement of these architectural and site development guidelines: 2\. Disaster Resilience (as applicable to the Project) The following are key disaster resilence considerations relative to the appreciation, interpretation, implementation and enforcement of these architectural and site development guidelines: Nothing follows.