Eco-friendly designs on exhibit

MANILA, Philippines - What is a “beautiful house” in the context of the Philippines? According to the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) College of Architecture (UPCA), it should integrate Filipino culture, be environmentally sustainable, appropriate for tropical living, and inexpensive to build and maintain. These were the concepts behind the “Ang Pinakamagandang Bahay sa Balat ng Lupa (PMBBL) competition, which ended with an awarding ceremony held recently at the Executive House in UPD. The offshoot of this architectural design contest is an exhibit which opened recently at the UP Theater Lobby in Diliman.

The exhibit features the winning designs in both the professional and student categories — as well as other outstanding entries.

According to UPCA Dean Danilo A. Silvestre, the exhibit showcases varying architectural visions of a “magandang bahay.” PMBBL was the brainchild of Architecture Undergraduate Program Director Prof. Nicolo C. Del Castillo. The designs display current ideas that inspire practicing architects and students of architecture, Del Castillo said.

In a message read by Republic Cement president Renato C. Sunico, LCSPI CEO Samir Cairae expressed his gratitude at being a partner in the PMBBL project and stated that the most beautiful houses are those that respect the environment and culture.

Both first place winning designs will be constructed by LCSPI in the vacant area beside the UPD Post Office. A professional will likewise be hired by LCSPI to implement the winning design in the student category. Construction of the house in the professional category will begin in the first quarter of next year, after which construction of the house in the student category will commence. Both houses will be turned over to the University for faculty use.

The PMBBL contest is one of the UPCA’s efforts in pushing green architecture in the country. Apart from the contest, the college is in the process of developing an environmentally-focused curriculum, building up its research and development capabilities to develop design approaches that are sustainable. According to Dean Silvestre, the college is working toward the discovery of alternative building materials, systems, and emergent technologies, as well as the exploration of techniques like biomimicry and biochemical processes that can be incorporated in architecture.

Rallying behind these efforts are the UPCA alumni who consistently raise funds for the college — to upgrade its facilities and to enrich its knowledge by sponsoring participation in international conferences and symposia and providing scholarships and grants. The college has continuously increased the interaction between its alumni and students, where practitioners introduce would-be architects to the industry, showing them the professional life and preparing them for challenges they might face when they become practitioners as well.