MANILA, Philippines?Would you want to live in a house or condominium with dark corridors, lifeless walls, minimal ventilation, no natural lights and an environment generally hostile to plant life?

If your answer is no, then support developments that are sustainable and environment-friendly. Seek the assistance of architects practicing the so-called ?green architecture? to help you get your property ?greened.?

Edgar V. Reformado, chair of the Green Architecture Movement, said this much during an Aug. 7 interview, stressing that a better home design means less consumption of power.

Green building pioneers

Reformado was one of the ?green architects? present at the Hunter Douglas Philippines? awarding ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Mandaluyong City. The event honored green building pioneers in the country whose works represent the best in environmentally sustainable residential and commercial designs. (Hunter Douglas is a window fashions company.)

Reformado added that one should look at the overall plan of the development, and make sure that the future of the area would not contribute to a congested community.

The Green Architecture Movement counts more than 30 members, with a core group composed of 12 members. He observed, however, that even nonmembers of GAM have been practicing green architecture for some time now.

GAM is conducting an annual forum for identifying environment-friendly materials, and a lecture series for architects and students on ?going green.?

An obstacle for going green, however, could be the cost itself, as Reformado observed some owners thinking first of how much a project for going green would cost. In the long run, Reformado stressed, environment-friendly materials are durable and would promote the well-being of the property?s occupants and promote their productivity.

Francis L. Santaromana, grand winner for the Green Building design and commercial grand design categories, said that if designers had enough integrity, convincing power, and the right product, potential clients would believe.

The entry of Santaromana, the principal architect and interior designer of FL Santaromana designs, is the De La Salle Zobel sports pavilion.

Energy consumption

Gigi M. Lapira, general manager and president of Hunter Douglas Philippines, said: ?There are three major human activities that contribute to the degradation of the environment: the building industry, the transportation industry and production industry. Of the three, the building industry has the highest impact on energy consumption in the United States at 39 percent, compared to 32 percent for the transportation and 29 percent for the production.?

Lapira said the energy consumption of the building sector in the Philippines had increased more than 80 percent from 1980 to 2004, and is estimated to increase by more than 185 percent from 2004 to 2030.

She cited that in the 2005 Philippine Energy Plan, the Philippine government emphasizes two main approaches to energy independence: the development of indigenous sources that will eventually lead to increased self-reliance; and promoting energy efficiency, particularly in the building industry.

Lapira also cited the government?s efforts, which she said echoes the worldwide clamor for green buildings. As of 2006, 50 percent of builders had focused their attention to green building issues; between 40 percent and 50 percent of homes built in 2010 are expected to be green.

The support of builders, in particular, is driven by three major benefits: reduced costs, increased revenue and higher profits.