South Lake Village: Model for green architecture

Green architecture is one of the many approaches to addressing global warming and protecting the environment today. This concept refers to home & building design and construction that have minimal impact to the environment, and makes for efficient use of materials, energy, and space.

As in other countries, property developers in the Philippines have since made green architecture a requisite and standard. Among the best local examples of earth-friendly architecture is Eton City’s South Lake Village.

Eton City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is a 1,000-hectare master-planned township project of Eton Properties Philippines Inc. (EPPI). The centerpiece of this future “Makati of the South” is South Lake Village, a breathtaking community of 18 residential islands in a 35-hectare man-made lake. Each island, approximately one hectare in size, will have 6 to 12 residential lots of about 1,000 square meters each.

For more details on South Lake Village and Eton City, visit www.etoncity.com.ph or call 845-3866 and 0917-8943866.

EPPI takes green architecture to the extreme with its South Lake Village development, which features the country’s largest man-made lined lake in a residential community. The lake provides the green architecture element of efficient and natural ventilation.

“The lake will lower surrounding temperature in the community while the open space of the lake, linear parks and open spaces will create channels that the wind can flow from,” says Alex Jazmines, EPPI AVP and GM of the Eton City project.

The challenging operation and maintenance of the artificial lake take into account the green architecture element of energy conservation. Water will naturally be supplied through rainfall and rivers running across the Eton City site. Incoming water from the rivers will be filtered by a detention pond to keep the lake clean and pollution-free.

Continuous aeration of the lake will be done through external pumps to keep water circulating and make it habitable to fish. Lake corridor fountains will serve as aeration devices and visual attraction and for residential islands, ample space between homes and the height limit on houses will allow for better air circulation within the community.

With 47 percent of the village comprising open spaces, plus the proximity of homes to the water, residents will also enjoy cool air and a resort-like atmosphere, according to Architect Brian Mangio, son of Arch. Nestor Mangio, managing partner of NS Mangio and Associates, Eton City’s designers.