(First in a series)

MANILA, Philippines – So you think those black smoke-spewing vehicles or derelict factories are mainly responsible for the abnormal warming of the planet?

Well, think again as you consider these figures: Buildings guzzle up to 12 percent of the world’s freshwater supply; emit 40 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases; are responsible for producing 65 percent of the world’s waste; and consumes 70 percent of the world’s electricity.

“A lot of people may not know this but buildings have an enormous direct and indirect impact on the environment. So if we are planning to help our environment, doing something to improve the design of our building is an excellent start,” suggested architect Ma. Luisa Daya-Garcia of the United Architects of the Philippines-Green Architecture Movement.

Speaking before fellow architects, engineers, building/resort owners and students, Garcia explained that going green today means saving a lot of money.

Big focus

“Going green today has become a big focus for companies and organizations looking for smarter and more profitable ways of doing business. A lot of them found out that they are missing huge savings in annual operating costs by not doing simple cost-effective improvements around and within their structures,” Garcia explained.

Seeking to promote and incorporate the use of green building practices in the built environment as well as raise the public’s level of awareness regarding green building practices, the UAP-GAM teamed up with expo organizer LA Ducut and Co. in order to conduct seminars—called Green Forum—that will become part of the construction show program put together by Ladci.

With the first Green Forum held during the recently concluded 17th Construction Show Cebu, UAP-GAM is looking forward to its next set of lectures this September during the Construction Show Manila to be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

4 questions

Garcia said that when it comes to what green building is, there are many definitions that comes to mind: “However, for me, as an architect, I just ask myself four questions:

• Does my building design support the health and well-being of the occupants, construction personnel, the public and the environment?

• Am I using energy, water and material resources efficiently, that is, by taking into account where they are obtained, how they are manufactured, how they will be used, installed and disposed of?

• Do I believe that the construction materials I used can be tagged as affordable and durable?

• Will my design be able to enhance, improve the environment or provide better life for everyone?

Healing

“If I am able to respond positively to all these questions, then I am quite sure I have a plan of a green building before me,” Garcia said.

She explained that aside from being gentle on the environment, green buildings also deliver a higher return on investment. They increase a property’s value by 7.5 percent and improve the return on investment by 6.6 percent.

“And there are other benefits like securing tenants more quickly, commanding higher rents or prices, costing less to operate and maintain, and improving business productivity for occupants. So you see, it’s also profitable for the owner to make his/her building green.

Garcia explained that since individual components of a house or building interact as a system in regard to energy use and comfort, even the smallest or seemingly irrelevant component should be considered.

“For example, blinds or curtains that are always left up on portions where plenty of sunlight comes in could contribute to the unwanted heat build-up inside and thus cause your aircon to work double time,” she said.

Garcia added that equipment for cooling, lighting, appliances, as well as electronics (including entertainment and computer equipment) all have an impact and should be assessed.

“Do you know that if owners and architects work together in setting up a green building, owners would be able to enjoy structures that consume 32 percent less electricity, achieve energy savings of at least 20 to 30 percent when compared with industry standards, and use 30 percent less water? Now that’s doing a lot of favor to Mother Earth while at the same time reaping the monetary benefits of being green,” Garcia concluded.

(Next: Concept of ‘greenovation’)