Philippines

Philippine Architectural Design ParadigmsCopyright 2013 Architecture Advocacy International Foundation (AAIF), Inc. Philippine Architectural Design ParadigmsThe term "design paradigm" refers to exemplary design solutions that create "design trends" and is used within the design professions, including architecture, industrial design xxx to indicate an archetypal solution e.g. a Swiss Army Knife is a design paradigm illustrating the concept of a single object that changes configuration to address a number of problems. Design paradigms have been introduced in a number of books, where Architect Christopher Alexander's A Pattern Language is thought to have first popularized the term.

Design paradigms can be used either to describe a design solution, or as an approach to design problem solving. Problem solving occurs through a process of abstraction and characterization of design solutions, with subsequent categorization into problem solving types. The approach is akin to the use of metaphor in language; metaphors are used to help explain concepts that are new or unfamiliar, and to bridge between a problem we understand and a problem we don't. Design paradigms then can be seen as higher order metaphors. xxx ______(December 2012).Design Paradigm, Wikipedia.

At least five (5) distinct architectural design paradigms are under present consideration and these are:0. P.D. No. 1096, the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP)-compliant Architectural Design;0. Architectural Design for the Tropics (Hot-Humid Philippine Climate);0. Sustainable Architectural Design;0. Climate Change-Adaptive Architectural Design; and0. Disaster-Resilient Architectural Design.

While each of the above offers a distinct architectural solution, these can all still be melded into one cohesive solution, which is probably something that mainly Registered and Licensed Architects (RLAs) are capable of achieving.Architectural Paradigm 1 : NBCP-Compliant Architectural Design P.D. No. 1096, otherwise known as the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) is a national development control that is currently implemented and enforced by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through Acting Local Building Officials (ALBOs) or duly-appointed Local Building Officials (LBOs) at the LGU level. Under said law, the DPWH Secretary, in his capacity as the National Building official (NBO) appoints the ALBOs or LBOs, a power apparently not delegated to the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) nor to local chief executives (i.e. mayors and governors of LGUs). The NBCP is supported by its 2004 revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR), its referral codes (RCs) and its derivative regulations (DRs). RCs are laws or regulations that are in direct support of the NBCP, consisting of but not limited to the following laws, codes or their successor laws/ codes:R.A. No. 9514, otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines (FCP) of 2008 and its latest implementing rules and regulations (IRR) and derivative regulations (DRs); B.P. No. 344, An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to Install Facilities and Other Devices, and its latest IRR and DRs; Latest version of the Architectural Code of the Philippines and its DRs; Latest version of the Structural Code of the Philippines and its DRs; Latest version of the Philippine Electrical Code and its DRs; Latest version of the Mechanical Code of the Philippines and its DRs; P.D. No. 856, Code on Sanitation and its latest IRR and DRs; P.D. No. 1067, A 1976 Presidential Decree Instituting a Water Code, Thereby Revising and Consolidating the Laws Governing the Ownership, Appropriation, Utilization, Exploitation, Development, Conservation and Protection of Water Resources, otherwise known as The Water Code of the Philippines, and its latest IRR and DRs; R.A. No. 9275, The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, and its latest IRR and DRs; R.A. No. 9003, The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and its latest IRR and DRs; R.A. No. 8749, The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and its latest IRR and DRs; P.D. No. 1586, Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System, Including Other Environmental Management Related Measures and for Other Purposes, and its latest IRR and DRs; the ICAO SARP and the CAAP MoS for Aerodromes in the case of airport (or heliport/ helipad, as applicable) selection, planning, design, construction, administration, operation and maintenance; and the various Professional Regulatory Laws (PRLs) such as R.A. No. 9266 (The Architecture Act of 2004), R.A. No. 544 (The Civil Engineering Law of 1950, as amended by R.A. No. 1582 of 1956), etc., including R.A. No. 8981, otherwise known as the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Modernization Act of 2000, and their latest IRR and DRs.

DRs are mainly executive issuances that are in direct support of the NBCP and its RCs, consisting of but not limited to the following documents: Memorandum Circulars (MCs) issued by the DPWH Secretary (in his capacity as the NBO) directly to ALBOs/ LBOs nationwide; DPWH Department Administrative Orders (DAOs) as well as other DAOs issued by other agencies that deal with aspects of the natural and built environments; Resolutions by the appropriate agencies, including those by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs); National Administrative Orders (AOs); and National Executive Orders (EOs).

Faithful and satisfactory compliances with the 1977 NBCP, its 2004 revised IRR, its RCs, its DRs and the pertinent permitting processes are absolute necessities to help save both the built and natural environments from further degradation and to help in the proper and full implementation and enforcement of the 1977 NBCP, a valid and subsisting law. The basic compliances deal with: zoning classification with statements of principal, accessory and conditional uses;allowed building occupancy and building type; lot type, configuration and access systems; road right-of-way/ RROW width (stating arcade width if applicable) and the total lot area (TLA); on-site and off-site analyses, with particular attention to topography, slopes, hazards, etc.;building and site/ grounds orientations with respect to sun, wind, rain/ storm, noise, pollution sources, odors, view corridors (and privacy satisfaction);treatment of the mandated legal easements (MLE); floor to lot area ratio/ FLAR (same as floor area ratio/ FAR), gross floor area/ GFA and total gross floor area/ TGFA; applicable setbacks (including incremental setbacks); firewall compliances (as needed);basement level compliances (as applicable, particularly on the matter of setbacks from property lines);open and covered parking compliances (including public transportation connectivities);percentage of site occupancy (PSO) and allowable maximum building footprint (AMBF), including clear indications of the total open space within lot (TOSL) and the unpaved surface area (USA) that shall assist in surface water flow retardation (to prevent accelerated/ flash flooding) and percolation into the aquifer; applicable building height limit/ BHL (including Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines/ CAAP restrictions or other agency restrictions as applicable); allowable maximum volume of building (AMVB); outermost face of building (OFB), outermost limits of building projection (OLBP) and the angle of angular plane with respect to the road right-of-way (RROW); the architectural and space programs; wall/ window orientations and wall to window ratio (WWR); site development (including urban design) features; use of natural light and ventilation, particularly of day-lighting and passive cooling;elevator traffic calculations and zoning (as applicable); building and site/ grounds colours and textures, particularly those that are absorptive and reflective of light and heat (that should illustrate the RLAs appreciation of tropical design as the same applies to Philippine buildings); graphics, signage and way-finding provisions; anddesign sensitivities i.e. gender, children and the elderly, persons with disabilities (PWH, physical, mental, emotional, etc.), ethnicity and indigenous peoples, people with differing lifestyles/ preferences, religion, etc. The foregoing are only basic architectural plan and design features of the building that should ideally form part of an architectural permit application to be prepared by RLAs, an ancillary permit to the building permit. Should the separate DPWH IRR on sustainable building design be promulgated, the RLA shall also be responsible for a number of sustainable building features, as well as features that address issues and concerns pertaining to climate change adaptation and disaster resilience. The RLA's description of the proposed buildings sustainable design features must necessarily include descriptions of the embodied energy levels of construction and finishing materials proposed for use in the building, carbon footprint calculation for the building and its users over a certain period of time, energy and water conservation features (to include rainwater harvesting if possible), solid waste management provisions (collection, storage, recycling, reuse, disposal), etc.The architectural permit application, once imposed by the DPWH, must clearly show that the proposed building fully satisfies all the spatial requirements and all the applicable national and local development controls (DCs). The architectural permit application and its support architectural documents must also show thecalculations for architectural life safety code compliances, particularly those mandated under R.A. No. 9514 (The 2008 Fire Code of the Philippines/ FCP and its 2009 IRR). Also for inclusion is the satisfaction of the mandated compliances with B.P. No. 344 (Accessibility Law of 1983) particularly with respect to parking slots, ramps, elevators and toilets for persons with disabilities (PWD). Additionally, the pertinent information on architectural design features that address specific user needs and sensitivities must be included e.g. gender, age, ethnicity, religion, etc. as well as urban design features e.g. including lists of street furniture, way-finding provisions and directional signages as well as statements of the proposed treatments of transitional spaces between the public domain (e.g. RROW) and the building grounds and enclosed building spaces. Even if the same may not yet be required by the DPWH, it is best that the foregoing form part of the architectural documentation fo teh project. A major component of the architectural documents package shall be the project description which must contain information on the users and the indoor and exterior spatial provisions created to address the activities to be housed/ sited in the proposed building or structure or its site/ grounds, a statement on the aesthetic blending (or stark contrast) of the building/ structure with its environs, a general statement on the overall quality of the materials for use on the building, statements on the space planning (SP) and architectural interiors (AI) of the building, statements on the urban design (UD) of the building and its site/ grounds and the affected portions of the public domain (such as RROWs and MLEs) as well as on the perceived effect of the building on the local environment and an initial estimate of the building/ project cost. Fire Integrity of the Building/ Structure

For a mixed use building, uses/ occupancies which can all be subject to incidences of fire, explosion, fumes, leakages, etc. and potential acts of sabotage or other forms of public disorder can cause extensive building/ structural damage. As such, the upper floor levels must be protected from such threats through the provision of key fire integrity provisions that can help localize fire and smoke spread and penetration only to the affected floor/s or level/s below. For this reason, non-circulation/ access openings that vertically traverse the building (from basement through deck roof levels) shall be avoided as much as possible e.g. light and ventilation courts/ wells, atrium courts, and the like. Building and Grounds Fit-outFurniture and Movable ItemsThese are large movable equipment, such as tables and chairs, used to make an enclosed or outdoor space suitable for living or working; the movable articles in a room or an establishment that make it fit for living or working; may also be referred to as furnishing; the possible examples of furniture in a typical Philippine building are: tables/ desks/ work benches (modular manager/ clerical/ work stations, conference, training, coffee, tea, side, etc.), back cabinet/s and side returns (as necessary), pedestal drawers, filing cabinets, assorted chairs (i.e. gang, visitor, clerical, junior/ mid-level/ senior manager/ conference/ high chairs for counter operations and occasional/ accent chairs, cafeteria chairs/ stools and the like), sofas (1-/ 2-/ 3-seaters), beds with/ without headboards and the like; movable or demountable counters (low, medium or tall heights as applicable) with assembly-type shelves/ compartments (including trash collectors) and the like; movable items such as figurines (as applicable), decorative items such as vases and the like, directional/ indoor traffic barriers (with escutcheon plates), trash containers/ bins, plant-holders and the like; small accessories or fittings that attach to both the exposed and concealed surfaces/ spaces of furniture items and the like. IMPORTANT NOTE: The foregoing classification of Furniture specifically excludes Street Furniture such as park benches, pedestrian barriers, waiting shed seats, telephone booths, police callboxes, ATM terminals, pedestrian barriers, streetlights, signage poles/ pylons, projecting signs, canopies, covered walks or other legally located/ sited items such as electrical/ telephone poles and telephone boxes found/ permitted within the sidewalk portion of the road right-of-way (RROW).FurnishingsThese are furniture, fittings, and other decorative accessories (such as curtains and carpets) for a building or room; a piece of equipment necessary or useful for comfort or convenience; an object that tends to increase comfort or utility, especiallyan article offurniturefor the interior of a building; fabrics used for curtains, upholstery, or floor coverings and the furniture, appliances, and other movable articles in a room or building; the possible examples of furnishings in a typical Philippine building are as follows : fixed stations such as reception desks/ counters, appliances such as integrated desktop computers and peripherals, television and stereo sets (where applicable), movable task lighting devices, ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted fans (as needed), water dispensers, airpots, coffee-makers, vending machines (possibly by others) and the like; movable/ transferable/ demountable assembled articles such as non-illuminated or self-illuminated directional signages, directional information and similar graphic devices, assorted shelves/ shelvings, cafeteria kitchen and pantry equipment including stoves/ ovens/ refrigerators; fixed counters, cabinets or closets with fixed shelves/ compartments (including dedicated task-lighting devices as applicable), sanitary fixtures (tissue and paper towel dispensers, sanitary product dispensers, diaper changing boards, etc.) and the like; fittings such as pipes/ tubings/ drains connected to non-capital equipment and plumbing/ electrical/ electronic/ mechanical fixtures and the like; and other decorative accessories such as curtains, drapes, blinds, shades and carpets/ carpet tiles, paintings, wall hangings, sculpture (large/ medium/ small), and decorative/ accent lighting devices, with complete fittings and accessories, and the likeFixturesThese are pieces of equipment or furniture that is fixed in position in a building or vehicle; articles attached to a building or land and considered legally part of it so that such items normally remain in place even when the building owner moves out; something securely fixed in place or attached as a permanent appendage, apparatus, or appliance e.g.plumbing fixtures; the possible examples of fixtures in a typical Philippine building/ grounds include the following: visible, remote-operated and/or tangible/ operational devices or provisions that are fixed in position in (i.e. permanently attached to) a building and which partake of finishing items, such as plumbing fixtures (water closets, urinals, lavatories, water fountains, etc.), electrical fixtures (general and task lighting, area lighting for grounds, exterior building lighting including up-lighting or down-lighting, indoor and outdoor switches/ manual controls and convenience outlets, etc.), electronic fixtures (indoor and outdoor/ rooftop cameras, speakers, sensors, monitors, card-access or biometric access terminals for secure areas, automated main gates and doors, etc.), mechanical and related auxiliary fixtures (sprinkler heads, indoor climate management or control terminals/ stations/ switches, etc.), and the like; and architectural fixtures such as large fixed/ sectional mirrors, finish hardware items, wall (or floor) safes and the like. EquipmentThese are the necessary items for a particular purpose or activity; equipment (solid state), apparatus, gear, materiel, outfit, paraphernalia and the like; materials needed for a purpose such as laboratory apparatus; all the fixed assets other than land and buildings of a business enterprise; tangible property(other thanlandorbuildings) that is used in theoperationof abusiness; examples of equipmentincludedevices,machines,tools, andvehicles; the possible examples of equipment in a typical Philippine building are: visible and tangible/ operable apparatus, gear, materiel, outfit, paraphernalia, tools relating to architectural, structural, electrical, electronic and auxiliary (telecommunications/ audio/ video/ building management system/ BMS), mechanical, sanitary, plumbing, fire-fighting functions/ operations of the building e.g. integrated computer systems including peripherals, ticketing system including cash registers and official receipt or trip ticket printers, point of sale (POS) reporting system (as applicable, possibly for both ticketing/ parking and commercial leased spaces), public information/ notification/ address systems including departure and arrival information systems, inter-modal to bus communication system (including tracking/ monitoring system), inter-modal parking and covered private vehicle parking systems including card dispensers, parking fee collection booths/ counters, manual and electronic barriers/ booms, manual traffic devices such as removable barriers e.g. cones, blocks, wheel locks and the like, electronic overhead parking space availability indicators, electronic/ emergency directional signages, and the like. IMPORTANT NOTE: The foregoing classification of EQUIPMENT specifically excludes CAPITAL EQUIPMENT such as elevators, escalators, walkalators (level or inclined), other types of conveyors (as applicable), transformers, generator sets (gensets), automatic transfer switches (ATS), fan coil units (FCUs) and air-conditioning condensing units (ACCUs) in case of package-type air-conditioning systems or cooling towers and air handling units/ AHUs (in case of centralized air-conditioning systems) and their support devices/ provisions requiring separate housing such as machine rooms and the like. FittingsThese are small parts on or attached to a piece of furniture or equipment; items, such as a stove or shelves, that are fixed in a building but can be removed when the owner moves out; may also be referred to as furnishing.AccessoryThis is a thing that can be added to something else in order to make it more useful, versatile, or attractive; something nonessential but desirable that contributes to an effect or result; secondary, subordinate or supplementary item; an adjunct or appendage; the possible examples of accessories in a typical Philippine building include: figurines, free-standing sculpture or accent/ mood lighting devices, small accent furniture pieces, throw pillows, table runners, candle holders and other dining/ tabletop implements, non-fixed mirrors, rugs and non-fixed carpets, carpet protectors, provisions or small items made of acrylic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or fiberglass such as suspended/ hanging trays, etc.Fit-OutThe placement/ positioning/ siting of equipment into a room or building so that the same can be used for a particular purpose or long-term activity. Architectural Paradigm 2 : Architectural Design for the Tropics (Hot-Humid Philippine Climate)Buildings/ StructuresClimate and Solar Orientations:In the Philippines, the prevailing winds are the heavy, very wet and destructive southwest monsoon winds (the habagat) which blows from March through September and the cool, pleasant but equally strong northeast monsoon winds (the amihan) which blows from November through mid-February; October is usually the transition month; in some parts of the country, particularly along the eastern seaboard i.e. the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the easterly winds are quite strong while in the western part of the Philippines i.e. in the vicinity of the West Philippine Sea, the north wind (the daplak) is also quite strong;The Philippines is visited by anywhere from 15 to 22 storms/ typhoons annually, some of which are super-typhoons, with wind speeds in excess of 225 kph, with gustiness in excess of 270 kph, coupled with very heavy rains and storm surges, all of which are very destructive;The long axis of buildings must run along a North-South (N-S) direction inasmuch as the actual sun-paths actually run along a southeast to southwest (SE-SW) direction for about seven (7) months a year i.e. circa September through April and along a northeast to northwest (NE-NW) direction for about three and one-half 3.5 months a year i.e. circa May through August (reference Figures 1 and 2); the one and half months in between are transition months, part of which has the sun traversing an east to west direction twice a year;TopographySites with slopes in excess of eighteen percent (18%) are by law considered NON-buildable and must NOT be made to host habitable buildings, mainly due to the instability of the soil; andSite grading and cut-and-fill building solutions must be kept to an absolute minimum to retain the topsoil as much as possible.Energy and EmissionsPassive Design: Passive design is working with the environment to create the most optimal conditions inside a structure, taking advantage of the behavior of the sun and wind patterns simultaneously reducing the need for mechanical lighting and air-conditioning, thus effecting energy conservation. In the tropics, the main principles are avoiding heat gain, encouraging natural ventilation, making use of natural light and creating cool outdoor areas. ______(undated/ unpublished) DPWH.Orientation: The placement of the building on the site and the arrangement of the rooms inside it should be oriented in a way that windows and walls allow maximum airflow, penetration of natural light while being easily shaded from direct sunlight.Orienting for Minimum Solar Heat GainOrienting the building for minimum solar heat gain must take into account the general sun path for the Philippines as well as changes pertaining to site conditions all throughout the year and designing to have all the walls shaded from direct sun all year round. It may be desirable to allow more sunlight to enter, depending on building use. Certain hospital wards, solaria, childrens playrooms and sun porches need plenty of sun, either during the whole day or at preferred hours of the day because of its medicinal properties and anti-bacterial characteristics. In factories and laboratories, the total exclusion of the sun is essential for the protection of both chemical materials and employees working within. In offices and classrooms, direct sunlight causes serious problems like visual discomfort and eyestrain due to uneven illumination and reflected glare. Therefore, in designing a particular device of sun control, the following should be given careful thought to find the most satisfactory working compromise: Protection of opening against other weather elements;Initial and maintenance costs of control devices;Exterior appearance;Minimization of noise penetration through openings;Arrangements for privacy, if required;Non-obstruction of the view from within; andAccessibility for the cleaning and maintenance of windows and the sun control device itself. Orientation for Maximizing Air FlowBuildings should be oriented to make the most of prevailing winds. ______(undated/ unpublished) DPWHPassive VentilationEnergy intensive air-conditioning can be greatly reduced by designing in a way that maximizes natural ventilation . Windows, doors and vents must be aligned in a reasonably straight line to allow air flow through the building.Internal obstacles such as internal walls should be minimized to allow unimpeded ventilation.Natural ventilation should be maximized by:Exposing windows to the prevailing winds in the locality during the hot months if there are no constraints to such orientation and/or to a western or eastern orientation to reduce solar heat loads;Properly sizing and locating the window opening for maximum cross ventilation and/or speed up prevailing breeze;Adopting the venturi principle in air movement to increase rate flow inside buildings;Adopting the stack effect principle where appropriate.Making proper layout of the buildings to avoid being in the wind shadow; andProviding buildings with at least 2.0m setback from the property line making provision for open courts or yards where feasible. ______(undated/ unpublished) DPWHPassive CoolingThe ceiling cavity of a building may also provide an effective means of replacing hot air with cool air from outside using convection. Roof ventilation can be provided through the use of spinning vents placed on the roof top to draw out hot air from the ceiling cavity due to their spinning motion, or a ridge vent placed at the highest point that allows collected hot air at the highest point to flow out. These are aided by installing vents in eaves or in ceilings to allow cooler air in and promote better air flow through the roof vent. ______(undated/ unpublished) DPWHThermal massThermal mass refers to the capacity of a material to absorb, store and release heat. The use of materials with lower thermal mass such as non-banned timber is preferable on walls directly exposed to the sun. The use of lightweight materials like timber enables the building to cool faster. The use of heavy textures of non-timber materials i.e. that create light and shadow features on walls directly exposed to the sun may help achieve the same effect. ______(undated/ unpublished) DPWHNatural lightingDesigns should maximize the utilization of natural lighting in order to minimize the use of artificial lighting during daytime, thus effecting energy conservation and has been shown to increase productivity particularly in workplaces. Natural lighting or sunlight should be used to best advantage by:Providing rooms with adequate window opening with area of at least ten percent (10%) of the room area served; windows should be glazed and opening directly to a court or open spaces;Providing skylight where necessary;Providing setback or open courts as required in P.D. No. 1096; andProviding means of controlling direct sun rays into the building such as overhangs, vertical or horizontal sun baffles, etc. Natural lighting can be enhanced by aligning ceilings and internal walls to maximize reflection of light sources, as well as using light colors on floors, walls, and horizontal surfaces. This must be balanced with strategies to manage heat gain and glare. ______(undated/ unpublished) DPWHEnergy Efficient Systems and AppliancesBuilding fit outs, if possible, should install the energy-efficient appliances and systems to minimize building operational costs. These include the following:Air-conditioning Systems;Lighting Systems; andWater Heating Systems.Renewable energyInvesting in systems that make us of renewable energy, and renewable energy generation systems help lessen greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy security.TransportSustainable building design encourages active and public transport by building users. This helps lessen the carbon footprint of the building and its workers and visitors. This can be done by:Situating the building near public transport routes;Providing safe and user friendly paths for walking and cycling as access to the building; andProvide facilities that encourage walking or cycling to work such as: showers, lockers and bicycle parking facilities. ______(undated/ unpublished) DPWHWater and WastewaterWater Efficiency;Rainwater Tanks;Recycled Water; andManaging Stormwater.Indoor Environment QualityLight quality and views to outside; Temperature Control; Noise;Air Quality;Low Toxicity Indoor Environment: Paints, FlooringMaterials: Various materials are the subjects of environmental regulation, and consideration should be given to these in the design of new and renovated buildings. Noxious building materials, including some types of urea, formaldehyde, foam, insulation, must not be used. In renovation projects, Architects should be aware of asbestos and industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Another material subject to extensive regulation is lead paint.New as well as recycled materials considered to be environmentally sound are being used on construction projects. Gypsum board can be ground and used as spray insulation, and some glass can be recycled and used in windows. Some masonry, metal and aluminum can be reused. Not only is such reuse environmentally sound, but it can be economically beneficial as well. ______(undated/ unpublished) DPWHArchitectural Paradigm 3 : Sustainable Architectural DesignSustainable architectural design for sites/ buildings/ structures/ projects (also often referred to as Green Architecture), is actually not a new architectural design paradigm as it has been practiced by many architects and designers for many decades but were only not collectively referred to as such until recently. Conventional architectural design of buildings/ structures/ projects could considerably improve through the following (but not limited to the following) provisions, to wit: 1. Sites/ Groundsa)land and site sustainability considerations during construction activities i.e. plans and documentation needed for site excavation, sedimentation and erosion control, air pollution control, etc.;b)use of organic soil treatment products;c)minimization of over-paving through the requisite compliances with valid and subsisting laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, standards and procedural manuals pertaining to physical planning e.g. NBCP, Water Code, Sanitation Code, etc.;d)management of shadows cast by the proposed buildings on adjacent lots and buildings/ structures; ande)miscellaneous considerations i.e. rainfall information and hydrologic (and flooding) characteristics of the site including flood risk assessment mitigation studies (if available); public passage-ways i.e. secure pathwalks and bicycle lanes and bicycle parking plan (if provided); community connectivity (amenities, facilities, services and utilities/ AFSU); waiting sheds and other key street furniture; vehicle use, maneuver and parking plans (open, semi-covered and covered); landscaping plans (hard and soft scapes); green roofs and heat insulated areas;2. Buildings/ Structures a) energy conservation and management i.e. compliances with the latest Department of Energy (DoE) guidelines on energy conservation and management i.e. lighting and power design, etc.; use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and similar energy-saving illumination devices (provided the proper disposal methods are also in place), etc.; extensive use of natural lighting and ventilation matched with the use of sun-shading devices; use of renewable (non-fossil) energy sources where applicable i.e. sun, wind, wave, current, hydro, dendro (forest products), hot springs, animal, biogas/ compost, solid waste, etc.; b) water conservation and management i.e. reduction or optimization of domestic water consumption i.e. use of low-flow plumbing/ sanitary fixtures and equipment, etc.,; domestic wastewater reuse or recycling; stormwater management and rainwater harvesting i.e. collection, storage, treatment, use, reuse, recycling, disposal, etc., wastewater treatment i.e. use of compact/ compartmentalized sewage treatment devices or sewage treatment plants (STPs); etc.; c) solid waste management i.e. waste management plan; material recovery/ segregation facility (MRF/ MSF); use of non-burn waste to energy (WTE) or waste to worth (WTW) technologies that utilize local and foreign advanced technologies compliant with the PH Clean Air Act of 1999;d)indoor environment quality considerations e.g. non-smoking areas; minimization of emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by materials specified for the building/ structure/ project; air-conditioning refrigerant management; prevention of sick building syndrome through the generous use of naturally available light and ventilation to prevent growth and spread of harmful microorganisms indoors; e)correct wall to window ratio (WWR) for natural light and ventilation purposes;f)green roofs and heat insulated areas;g)construction waste management program i.e. material collection/ storage/ reuse/ recycling/ disposal; waste diversion/ reduction; h)considerations of embodied energy in the construction and finishing materials specified for use in the building/ structure/ project;i)minimization of over-building through the requisite compliances with valid and subsisting laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, standards and procedural manuals pertaining to building design e.g. NBCP, Fire Code, Water Code, Sanitation Code, etc.; j)fire and life safety considerations (including flame retardation and flame spread characteristics of materials specified for the building/ structure/ project); k)correct building orientation and correct material, texture and color selection to manage reflected light and heat caused by the building/ structure/ project and light and heat absorptions by the same i.e. light colors reflect light and heat while medium to dark colors absorb light and heat, making dark colors not only uncomfortable for those staying indoors but also result in high artificial cooling requirements/ energy usage/ operating costs indoors; the use of dark colors and masonry walls, which absorb large amounts of heat, combine to produce the oven effect for the building interior; and l)carbon foot-printing of the building/ structure/ project and all its end-users.Climate Change-Adaptive Architectural Design Climate change is brought about by global warming through the unchecked use of fossil fuels (chiefly coal) by industrialized countries. These have warmed our oceans and have given rise to supertyphoons (with some also saying that foreign military activities have something to do with it). The Philippines (PH) is the wall that protects Southeast Asia and parts of East Asia as the PH is the first landfall of Pacific Ocean-bred supertyphoons i.e. which grow weaker only after passing the PH, thereby protecting the rest of Asia. Given this reality, climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness/ resiliency for buildings should now be the norm for PH buildings and structures. For exposed sites/ buildings/ structures/ projects i.e. those located along low-lying coastal areas, sited at mountain/ hill slopes or bases, sites constantly battered by strong monsoon and storm winds and similar locations, these new architectural design paradigms could start by modifying portions of conventional architectural designs into the following (but not limited to the following), viz:1. Sites/ Groundsa) less paving around the building to help retard surface water flow i.e. through percolation into the ground, inasmuch as the collected surface water contribute to flash flooding at lower elevations within a community; andb)proper setbacks and compliance with mandated legal easements (MLEs) along waterways to maintain floodwater at a low level i.e. narrower waterways translate into higher flood levels;2. Buildings/ Structures a) use of concrete deck roofs instead of sloped metal roofs; however, while this assures that the building/ structure is climate change-adaptive, there are other key considerations such as the capital expenditure for waterproofing and maintenance as well as considerations of the amounts of the reflected light and heat of light-colored finishes for the concrete deck roof i.e. dark colors cannot be used as these shall absorb considerable amounts of heat, thereby affecting the operation and comfort levels inside the building; b)if the use of metal roofs cannot be avoided, provide much steeper roof slopes for metal roofs (because flatter slopes are easily penetrated by strong winds); c) use of roof that is sloped at all four (4) sides (since typhoon winds come from all directions) i.e. cuatro aguas; d) use of very short eaves i.e. the roof extension outside the exterior wall of the building or residence, usually provided for shade and aesthetics (inasmuch as long eaves cause uplift which open up the roof cavity to more/ extensive wind damage); the short eaves could be paired with medias agua (shed roofs) over windows and doors; e) gutterless roofs (as leaves and debris clog up the drains, downspouts and catch basins and the accumulated water cause the undrained roof to collapse; this has to be partnered with a trench drain, sand pit or a sand and gravel bed at the ground below to absorb the falling water; f) controlled roof cavity and/or ceiling cavity openings to relieve or equalize pressure inside and outside the building during strong winds i.e. a certain amount of wind has to be let in the building/ structure to relieve and/or equalize air pressures; g)for flood-prone or flood-risk areas, the use of the lower level as a multi-use, flexible use space (that can be flooded), and which can be connected to the upper level/s of the building through stairs or ramps (for use by PWDs or large domesticated/ farm animals); andh) use of stilted or floating building technologies, if technically and financially feasible, if safe and if locally available.Architectural Paradigm 5 : Disaster-Resilient Architectural Design For sites/ buildings/ structures/ projects sited in urban areas and exposed buildings/ structures i.e. those located along low-lying coastal areas, sited at mountain/ hill slopes or bases, sites constantly battered by strong monsoon and storm winds, those to be sited along inland waterways and inland water body foreshore areas, and similar locations, the new architectural design paradigm could start by modifying portions of conventional architectural designs into the following (but not limited to the following), viz:

1. Sites/ Groundsa) avoidance of areas with low elevations as a site for a high density development or a large building/ structure since the site is more likely to be flooded, even with the introduction of engineering interventions e.g. interceptor or diversion trenches/ canals, which may be very costly; b)use of the existing built environment for shielding a building/ structure i.e. proper use of surrounding taller buildings/ structures as elements to bear the brunt of strong winds and rains, thereby protecting the proposed lower/ smaller buildings/ structures;c)use of deep-rooted trees with potentially medium-sized crowns and similar elements in the natural environment for shielding a building/ structure i.e. to bear the brunt of strong winds and rains, thereby protecting the proposed buildings/ structures;d)designation of a both open and covered refuge areas within building complexes or within communities for use in times of extreme events or natural/ man-made disasters; ande)proper setbacks and compliance with mandated legal easements (MLEs) along waterways to maintain floodwater at a low level i.e. narrower waterways translate into higher flood levels; 2. Buildings/ Structures a)avoid constructing basements whenever possible i.e. especially basements built up to the property lines, which expose the foundations of existing buildings and roadworks; per the 2004 Revised IRR of P.D. No. 1096, the NBCP, basement walls are to be set back with the same dimensions of setbacks required for the ground surface;b)tall buildings must not have firewalls as all sides must be available for rescue efforts during fires or earthquakes; per the 2004 Revised IRR of P.D. No. 1096, the NBCP, setbacks for tall residential, mixed use or commercial/ office buildings i.e. Residential 5 (R-5) zoning classification are to be set back with the same dimensions of setbacks required for a single-detached residential building in a low density residential (R-1) zone;c)tall buildings shall be provided with safe refuge zones or floors for evacuating building occupants; these areas shall have stronger structural reinforcement and fire protection features if compared with regular floors;d)all emergency, exit and public doors servicing rooms or areas with users numbering twelve (12) or more occupants must all swing outward;e)all fire lanes and emergency/ fire exits, passageway and stairs shall be maintained free of all forms of obstructions and fitted with emergency lighting devices all the way to the refuge floors and/ or the street below;f) avoidance of use of non-fire rated substances and materials for buildings, particularly those that produce toxic or harmful fumes during fire e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC) doors and jambs, etc.;g)use of medium-weight movable materials as furniture pieces i.e. those that can readily serve as sturdy flotation devices;h)elevated floor finish line (FFL) at say 0.60 meter (m) minimum above sidewalk level for carports and for main entrances for low-rise structures e.g. residences in known flood risk areas;i) positioning of convenience outlets above table surface height i.e. say about 0.85m above finished floor line (FFL);j)possible positioning of the main power panel at a reachable height just below the finished ceiling line (FCL);k)use of jalousie windows, which are designed for use in the tropics, and which could serve as a fast means of escape (but requires security provisions such grillework or similar devices); l)a fast emergency escape system using maintenance gondolas or possibly even zip lines mounted on roofs of tall buildings directed at refuge floors/ levels of adjoining tall buildings or open refuge areas may need to be devised; m)design of low-rise buildings for survivability i.e. controlled detachment of a designated survival room/ pod from the main building/ structure for purposes of flotation or similar survival action/ procedures; n) use of low-cost to optimum-cost devices or technologies than can readily convert seawater, brackish water, inland waterway water, wastewater, etc. into domestic water fit for cooking and drinking (potable water) i.e. solely with the use of renewable energy i.e. sun or wind to power the conversion process; o) use of stilted or floating building technologies, if technically and financially feasible, if safe and if locally available; andp)adoption of other applicable climate change-adaptive architectural design features e.g. concrete deck roof or high pitched metal roof that slope on all sides (cuatro aguas), with the least eaves length, gutterless, controlled vents in the ceiling and roof cavities to help equalize air pressure inside the building/ structure, windows and doors fitted with sheds (media aguas), etc. Nothing follows.page 2 of 23