(Second in a series)

MANILA, Philippines – Being green isn’t just about incorporating windmills or solar panels in your building. It certainly doesn’t mean you have to tear the structure down and start all over again.

“Creating green buildings employs common sense, and as much as possible low-tech strategies,” clarified architect Miguel Guerrero of the United Architects of the Philippines-Green Architecture Movement.

Guerrero explained that to achieve that level of “greenness” in one’s structure, one may consider using regional materials (for example, bamboo, if it’s abundant in the area) or products of manufacturers near your area (adobe, bricks), building structures that face south, landscaping using native plants, reuse and/or recycling of existing building components and providing occupants access to fresh air and views.

“All of these should contribute to a structure that will use less electricity and water, lets more natural light but not heat, allows natural air to circulate inside, in short, one that is very livable,” said Guerrero in a forum held during the recently concluded 17th Construction Show Cebu.

Guerrero said all these suggestions apply to structures that are about to be built.

“But what if you have a building that is already standing? That’s where ‘greenovation’ comes to the picture,” he explained.

More eco-friendly

Guerrero explained that “greenovation” is short for green renovation, which simply means making your building a bit more eco-friendly during remodels or renovations.

“It’s doing small changes that yield big improvements. Some of the most simple ways of doing this is just replacing your old incandescents to compact fluorescent light bulbs. This alone can cut back on energy usage by 75 percent,” Guerrero explained.

While inserting insulating materials underneath the roof is most ideal in keeping the heat out, mere use of light-colored paints on GI roof—that could reflect sunlight—is helpful in keeping the interiors a lot cooler, he said.

Trellis and awning

“While a south or north facing building is the best in keeping the heat out, an owner could still do something for a building or a house that faces east or west like using trellis or window awning,” Guerrero suggested.

Another item that the architect cited is the ventilation and air-conditioning systems in many office and administrative buildings.

“Did you know that they make up a substantial part of electricity costs—up to 20 percent? A third of these costs can be saved through optimization of the systems and need-based control (like making switches that turn on units in areas where it is needed),” he said.

The architect also said that aside from the warm climate, buildings in the Philippines also have to contend with excessive rainfall.

“We are talking about a freshwater source that our buildings literally deliver to the drain. What if we design something in the building that could collect the rain water and use it afterward for watering gardens or even for flushing toilets,” said Guerrero who added that structures like these may need an architect (who knew what “greenovation” is all about) assistance in order to execute this properly.

16 percent higher

Guerrero admitted that in implementing green architecture, the budget cost would likely be 16 percent higher than that of a regular construction project.

“However, once implemented, a green building delivers 13 percent higher return of investment, 13 percent reduction in operating cost, three percent higher occupancy rate, three percent higher rental rate and best of all, 14 percent increase in building value,” he explained.

With these advantages, Guerrero stressed the importance of communicating these facts to more owners, fellow architects and even students.

“Which is why UAP-GAM teamed up with LA Ducut and Co. (Ladci) so we could hold similar seminars as part of the construction show events put together by Ladci. Learning more about these concepts will be critical for the future success of developers and their projects,” Guerrero informed.

He added that their next set of lectures will happen in September during the Construction Show Manila slated at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

(Next: RP next green nation)