Cagayan de Oro Developer Joins The World Architecture Festival As Speaker/Judge

CdO Developer joins the World Architecture Festival as speaker/judge

Architect of sustainable and eco-friendly buildings in the Philippines

Arch. Romolo V. Nati, chief executive officer and executive chairman of Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation (ITPI Corp), has been named as one of the speakers and judges at the World Architecture Festival (WAF), set on October 1-3, at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

The world’s largest festival and live awards competition dedicated to the field of architecture and design, WAF attracts over 10,000 attendees yearly from 66 countries. Its main highlight is a competition between architecture and design firms all over the globe,  battling it out in categories such as Houses, Schools, Energy Efficiency, Transport, Commercial Mixed-Use, and more. There will also be talks from experts in the architecture, design, and property development fields, as well as networking sessions for the delegates.

Arch. Nati will be speaking on “A Client Briefing: Resilient Developments for Vulnerable Environments” during the second day’s morning session, along with principal architect Chris Wong of C-Arch Architecture and Design Malaysia. The pair will present a challenge to competitors and delegates in creating sustainable developments in countries such as the Philippines.

Nati and Wong will also discuss the need for resilient green housing in the Philippines and how to apply sustainable design practices in less developed countries. They will also talk about how architects and developers could work together in bringing about environmental, physical, and economic developments through sustainable real estate projects.

ITPI Corp. is an Italian-Filipino property developer that specializes in sustainable real estate projects nationwide. Their flagship project, Primavera Residences in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, is a mixed-use condominium development that uses passive green features to help lower energy consumption. It was recently named the Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines at the 2014 Asia Pacific Property Awards in Kuala Lumpur. The company has also won the Most Outstanding in Alternative Energy Award in the 2014 Mindanao Business Leaders Awards.

For more details on ITPI and its projects, visit: www.italpinas.com or www.primaveraresidences.com.

Visit the the World Architecture Festival website: https://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com

7 things I learned from Italian Architect Romolo V. Nati

 Italian-Architect-Romolo-V-Nati.jpg November 26, 2013 640 × 430 Edit Image Delete Permanently TitleCaption

Brilliance and charisma are most likely the first two words that will cross your mind when you meet ITPI’s Italian architect and CEO, Romolo V. Nati. Brimming with a perfectly blended concoction of striking intelligence and affable personality, it is no wonder why Kagay-anons have nothing but good words to say.

Having been given a chance to pick his brains during a recent interview proved to be very fascinating and thought-provoking. Spanning different topics such as beauty, inspirations, sustainability, nature, and and simple solutions, he talks about ideas that are inspiring, sublime and even bordering on poetic.

Here are seven ideas that I learned from Arch. Nati.

1. GREEN VERSUS SUSTAINABLE

For laymen like you and me, it is quite easy to interchange these two words. But green and sustainable are not one and the same. Though both are highly desirable practices for the environment, Arch. Nati prefers “sustainable” even more than green.

Why? Sustainability means reducing the impact on the environment through responsibly-sourced and completely renewable materials and resources. This means that from the sourcing of the materials to its long-term maintenance, the structure does not in any way harm its environment and surrounding areas, nor does it pollute the air or deplete the resources.  A product may therefore be green, but not sustainable. The key is to find a design that incorporates the two.

2. BEAUTY IS WHAT WORKS

Beauty affects people, says Arch. Nati. If your design solves the problem but the result does not look beautiful, then it was not properly done. If something works perfectly and is done right, it will come out beautifully. He cites nature as an example. Nature does not think in terms of beauty; it concerns itself only of functioning properly, but it ends up being elegant and beautiful because it works.

3. ITALY AND THE PHILIPPINES

Our Italian amico is so at home in the Philippines. The question, he says, is not what the similarities are between the Philippines and his native Italy. There are too many striking similarities that it’s difficult to mention one by one. For several Italians, coming to the Philippines feels just like coming home. Aside from notable cultural similarities, religion, sense of humor, fondness for food, and that distinct zest for life, Italians and Filipinos share simply too many common traits.

4. THE SOLUTION IS OFTEN THE SIMPLE ONE

People are so busy looking for the complicated answers to problems that the simple solutions are being overlooked. In design, simple solutions cost less to build and less to maintain, resulting to a reduced costs and higher profitability for everyone involved.

5. NATURE HAS THE ANSWER

Nature provides us with patterns and processes that when examined, can be used as a basis for sustainable design. This is not something that has recently been invented; it is something that has been around for ages, but has been shoved aside.  ITPI’s projects are patterned after the brilliant designs found abundantly in nature. These include coral structures, bee hives, and the termite mound which is the basis for Primavera Residences’ ventilation system.

6. INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE

Inspiration follows me everywhere, he says. He takes inspiration from everything and anything – nature, history, works of great architects, the Bauhaus designs and influences, people, and so many countless sources. There is simply no shortage of inspiration for this man when it comes to architecture and design.

7. HIS VISION FOR CAGAYAN DE ORO

After visiting different cities and provinces in the country, ITPI chose Cagayan de Oro for what they call their newest baby, the Primavera Residences. I couldn’t resist but ask him why Cagayan de Oro. To which he responded with, why not?

Cagayan de Oro has become a dynamic microcosm of urban living meets laidback rural lifestyle, and it promises even more growth in the years to come. He wishes to see Cagayan de Oro becoming a hub for technology, social media, lifestyle, and culture, and sees this happening in the near future should younger Kagay-anons work together to pursue this vision.

Now that’s something definitely worth pursuing, don’t you think?

Want to know more about Architect Romolo V. Nati’s projects and ideas? Click HERE.

 

 

Green building should be the new reality, says green building expert ITPI at Clark Green City launch

clark green city3

Climate change is real. This is why architects and real estate developers have no choice but to begin planning and creating developments that consider this new reality.

This is according to an Italian architect and expert on green building and sustainable architecture who spoke at the launch of the upcoming Clark Green City. Carved from 36,000 hectares of the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Central Luzon, Clark Green City will be the country’s first smart and green city.

“Architects and property developers have a grave responsibility whether or not they fully appreciate it,” said Architect Romolo V. Nati, Executive Chairman and CEO of ITALPINAS Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation (ITPI), a real estate company that specializes in the design and development of sustainable buildings.

“Whether or not we are conscious of it, our work determines how people and communities will be placed in relationship to one another, how whole societies will eat, sleep, work, play, worship or travel,” he noted.

“In short, the homes, buildings and cities we create determine how people live in consonance —  or in dissonance — with nature,” he added.

But today, real estate has a significant carbon footprint and property developments contribute substantially to global warming, Nati noted, maintaining that: “With the grave threat to the planet posed by climate change, we have no choice but to begin building habitats that are in harmony with nature.”

Summit to launch Clark Green City

The green architect shared some green building tips from his long practice of sustainable architecture and green building at The Inaugural Philippine Smart and Green City Summit held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on December 5 to bring together property developers and urban planners, engineers, economic and management consultants, bankers, financiers and investors.

The summit launched Clark Green City, the new metropolis and investment hub, the brainchild of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

The city’s master development plan was recently approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and endorsed for final approval of President Simeon B. Aquino. Approval is expected next week, said Rolando P. Gosiengfiao, chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Once the president approves the master plan, the BCDA will begin phase 1 of the project’s development, which is expected to cost PhP59 billion through the Public-Private Partnership scheme.

The summit, held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza with the theme “Thinking Ahead, Building Together,” aimed to:

  • Provide a venue for the cross-fertilization of ideas on smart cities and green technologies from the diverse experts
  • Build support for the Clark Green City as a key development project
  • Showcase the green building methods and state-of-the-art IT infrastructure used in the Clark Green City that make it an ideal platform for mixed-use developments
  • Generate investment opportunities

The ITPI executive says he is happy to contribute to the rise of the country’s first smart and green city.

“We take our responsibility as a property developer seriously and even hope we can contribute our ideas – not just to the summit — but to the actual rise of the Clark Green City itself – as well as other green cities in the Philippines,” he says.

Apart from Nati, the other experts who presented during the summit were Architect Felino A. Palafox, founding and managing partner of the Palafox Associates, Chan Eng Kiat of DNV KEMA Clean Technology Center, Michael Russel of KGL Investment Company Asia, Cyndy Tan Jarabata of Tajara Leisure and Hospitality Group, Jan Custodio of CBRE, Mark Williams of KGL Investment Company Asia, Hung Song of CENTIOS (A KT and Cisco Collaboration), Jae-Hung Yu of Cisco Systems Management B.V., Antony Sprigg, Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia, Hans Shrader of the International Finance Corporation, Antonio Ver of the H&WB Asia Pacific (Pte Ltd) Corporation, Architect Engell Franz Fagaragan of the BERDE Green Building Rating System and Michael Russel of the KGL Investment Company Asia.

Eco-logic design and development

In 2009, Nati formed ITPI in partnership with Filipino lawyer Jojo Leviste. All of ITPI’s architectural design and property developments are created “eco-logically” or with an eco-logic behind their planning, design and implementation.

Its Primavera Residences, for instance, is a mixed-use eco-friendly condominium development in Cagayan de Oro City that incorporates many eco-friendly features such as passive cooling techniques and a photovoltaic or solar panel rooftop that produces enough electricity to power its common areas.

Tower 1 of Primavera Residences has an inner courtyard and a cross-ventilation layout designed to enhance natural air flow and light. Shaded facades sift sunlight’s entry through windows, moderating temperature inside units, slashing air-conditioning costs by about a third.

These features also functioned to mitigate the effects of typhoon Sendong in 2011.

Despite being a young developer, ITPI invests most of its resources in its in-house research and design (R&D) department that looks into sustainable architecture. ITPI is also an affiliate of the renewable energy firm Constellation Energy Corp.

A version of this story was published in the Business Mirror:

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/23868-italian-architect-pushes-green-architecture-in-phl

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5 awesome things you didn’t know about ITPI’s Italian CEO

Architect Romolo V Nati at Philippines Clean Energy Financing Forum

Architect Romolo V Nati at Philippines Clean Energy Financing Forum held 21 November 2013, where he was invited to speak on green buildings and sustainable development

 

He’s brilliant, he’s charming, and he talks about his work so passionately that you can’t leave the room without starting to feel strongly about his advocacies as well. Maybe it’s the Italian in him, but mostly it’s the man himself. He is Romolo Valentino Nati, the CEO and Architect of Italpinas, developer of Primavera Residences in Cagayan de Oro.

I have heard so many good things about this inspiring and brilliant guy, and I was finally able to meet him for a little interview recently. The interview proved fruitful, and what I learned about the highly interesting and charismatic Architect Nati, I’m now sharing with you. And yes, ladies, he’s a certified bachelor.

Here are five amazing things about ITPI’s Italian architect.

1. He’s an animal welfare advocate.

A lot of people care about pets, but not everyone does something about it. Not so with Arch. Nati. Being a lover of pets and animals since he was little has spurred him to take on a role in helping improve the plight of animals. He actively supports animal welfare organizations and does everything he could to alleviate the suffering of animals. How uber cool is that?

2. His first love is not architecture.

Yup, you read it right. His first love is something else — cars! He once entered and won awards from car giants BMW and Mitsubishi for car design. Architecture followed soon after.

3. His Favorite Filipino architectural design is the Bahay Kubo.

Sure, he likes the design of several buildings in the Philippines, but his hands-down most favorite? The Bahay Kubo. It is a good example of sustainable and eco-friendly design, says Arch. Nati. The bahay kubo is made from natural materials found in the vicinity of the house, the wall and the floor is built in such a way that allows proper ventilation, and the flooring is raised to avoid being flooded.

Italian architect, Romolo Nati, ITALPINAS CEO, green architect in the Philippines, eco-developer in the Philippines

Aside from the bahay kubo, he also cited the houses at Tondo as an interesting piece of architecture. The designs which are made of scraps or whatever materials are available and built on very little area take a lot of creativity and know-how to build.

4. He cooks the best pasta.

In cooking, just like in design, he strives to improve on his previous work and outperform himself each time. The result? Excellent, of course. For now his favorite pasta to whip up is a magical concoction with seafood.

5. He’s born on the 14th of February

He’s born on Valentine’s Day, thus the second name Valentino. Romolo Valentino Nati (or RVN as he is fondly called) celebrates both his birthday and Valentine’s Day on the same date.

Wanna know more about Arch. Nati? Click HERE to see his pet project in Cagayan de Oro!

 

 

DPWH gets DOJ nod to adopt green building regulation

Coral City in Sto Tomas Batangas

 

MANILA, Philippines – Following the destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda, the Department of Justice (DOJ) allowed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to push through with its plan of adopting a green building regulation in the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP).

In a nine-page legal opinion made public Wednesday, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said the DPWH has the authority to issue implementing rules and regulations for effective implementation of the NBCP.

With such power, De Lima said the authority includes the power to amend or revise under the doctrine of necessary implications.

Section 203 of both the NBCP and its IRR explicitly authorizes changes and/or amendments to existing referral codes.

“Indeed, the provisions of the referral codes should be allowed to evolve to respond to the needs of the changing times,” De Lima said in her legal opinion.

“Verily, amending all the pertinent provisions of existing referral codes to include the green building regulation may be considered as one of the needed changes envisioned at the time of the adoption of the law,” she said.

Read the story here.

 

– Tetch Tores-Tupas

Featured on Inquirer, 27 November 2013

On Mindanao News Daily: Primavera Residences Architect in Italian Language Week

Primavera Residences Architect featured in Italian Language Week

 

Architect Romolo Valentino Nati, the Italian architect and designer who designed and executed Primavera Residences, Cagayan de Oro’s first ever eco-friendly mid-rise condominium, will be prominently featured in the 13th edition of the Settimana della lingua italiana (Italian Language Week) on December 10-13.

Arch. Nati has been invited to speak on “Eco-Friendly Buildings and Renewable Energy” on December 12 at the Conference on the theme: ““Ricerca, Scoperta, Innovazione: L’Italia dei saperi” (Research, Discovery, Innovation: Italy and Knowledge) at the Claro M. Recto Hall, Faculty Center (College of Arts and Letters), UP Diliman.

Continue reading story here.

Primavera Residences Architect featured in Italian Language Week

Architect Romolo Valentino Nati, the Italian architect and designer who designed and executed Primavera Residences, Cagayan de Oro’s first ever eco-friendly mid-rise condominium, will be prominently featured in the 13th edition of the Settimana della lingua italiana (Italian Language Week) on December 10-13. 

 

 Primavera Residences Architect featured in Italian Language Week

 

Architect Romolo Valentino Nati, the Italian architect and designer who designed and executed Primavera Residences, Cagayan de Oro’s first ever eco-friendly mid-rise condominium, will be prominently featured in the 13th edition of the Settimana della lingua italiana (Italian Language Week) on December 10-13.

The event is annual celebration of the Italian Language that began in 2001. It aims to promote the Italian language and its various aspects/facets all over the world.  This year it will have “Ricerca, Scoperta, Innovazione: L’Italia dei saperi” (Research, Discovery, Innovation: Italy and Knowledge) as its theme.   Conceptualized by the Accademia della Crusca (Italian society for scholars and Italian linguists and philologists) in collaboration with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it will be organized by the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines in partnership with the Italian section (Dept of European Languages) of the University of the Philippines.   Arch. Nati has been invited to speak on “Eco-Friendly Buildings and Renewable Energy” on December 12 at theConference on the theme: “Ricerca, Innovazione, Scoperta: L’Italia dei saperi”  at the  Claro M Recto Hall, Faculty Center (College of Arts and Letters), UP Diliman.

Read the rest of the story here.