A Round Up of November News and Events at Primavera

Posted by Stefan on

As we approach the final month of 2014, Primavera Residences is proud to offer more good news, promos, events and opportunities not only for Kagay-anons, but for Filipinos and investors all over the world. This month of November has not only paved ways to pursue our advocacies but also presented opportunities and awards that cemented Italpinas’ lead in pioneering sustainable development in Northern Mindanao.

Here is a look at the news and events last November.

  1. Italpinas President is finalist in this year’s Asia CEO Awards

The prestigious Asia CEO Awards has presented the shortlist of finalists for the 2014 awards and Italpinas’ president Atty. Jojo Leviste is one of the finalists of Asia CEO Awards’ SPi Global Young Leader of the Year category.

With the theme “Emerging Asia”, business leaders from several industries in the Philippines were carefully selected, highlighting the country’s shining examples of good leadership. The awards recognize extraordinary leaders who have demonstrated outstanding achievement for their organizations and contributions to others.

The pre-event was well-covered by the media with stories appearing in the following publications and online news sites:

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  1. Follow-up to Halloween Events

After the annual Halloween celebrations, Primavera Residences announced the winners after the Halloween-themed activity, an online pet costume contest in partnership with the city’s premier pet store, PetPerk Grooming Services, and wrote articles about Halloween Events in CdO.

Below are some photos and media mentions of these activities.

SunStar Cagayan de Oro:

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  1. Construction update

As of November 5, 2014, Primavera Residences Tower 2 continues its steady rise. Currently, the second tower of the country’s premier eco-friendly building is already approaching 77% completion.

Ongoing plastering works are being done in the interior of the 3rd to 5th floors while masonry works are now being accomplished at the 6th to 9th floors.

Below are some photos and media mentions of this update.

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  1. Early Christmas Promo

As an early Christmas treat to condo buyers, Primavera continues its October Fever promo offering up to Php 100,000 worth of freebies. In a regular package, buyers get unfurnished units with inclusions of tile floorings, painted walls and ceilings, fitted kitchen sinks, bathroom fixtures, electrical wirings and outlets; however, the October Fever promo gives buyers a chance to earn savings of up to P100k with a FREE set of Kitchen Modular Cabinet and its installation.

The Early Christmas promo was also featured in several news sites and publications including the following:

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  1. PagBAG-o Project

Primavera Residences, the first eco-friendly building in Cagayan de Oro, fully backs this project by promoting the city’s campaign to a clean and green environment.

As a sustainable developer, Italpinas considers it not only a social responsibility, but a huge honor on our part to be able to support a very worthwhile project. The PagBAG-o project not only helps the environment but also provides assistance to the communities that need it most. This has always been the advocacy of Italpinas, and through supporting this project, we hope that more and more people will take part in generating ideas that could help promote sustainability while also addressing livelihood requirements of communities.

The pre-event was well-covered by the media with stories appearing in the following publications and online news sites:

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  1. CDO Developer represents Ph in Russian Wealth Summit in Singapore

Industry experts in wealth management, banking, fund management, trust services, real estate, gold and diamond trading as well as arts and wine investors from all over Asia, Russia and CIS countries gathered in an International 2-day Summit in Marina Bay Sands Convention Center, Singapore on 18th and 19th November.

Representing the Philippines is Arch. Romolo Nati, the chairman and CEO of Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-development Corporation (ITPI) who has been invited to the summit as a resource speaker and part of the panel discussion on areas for investing in Asia.

This story also appeared in the following news:

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  1. Seminar by Real Estate Sales Guru Mr. Jun Garing

Last November 28-29, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Primavera Residences invited guests to a two-day High Impact Seminar and Workshop by the renowned master of real estate sales training, Mr. Jun Garing.

Jun Garing, an author, sales trainer and motivator, has trained over 100,000 salespeople from 1,000 top corporations for the past 30 years. He has been recognized as one of the Outstanding Salesmen in 1976 and 1977. He is also a recipient of numerous awards and citations from various sales and marketing associations in the Philippines and nearby Asian regions.

The pre-event  appeared in the following publications and online news sites:

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          8. XUHS Batch ’74 conducts successful Chess Tournament at Primavera

Last November 22, as part of their month-long celebration of their Ruby year, XUHS Batch ’74 held their favorite sport back then, Chess, at Primavera Residences.

Below are the photos of the said activity:

Batch '74 getting started with their chess tournament.
Batch ’74 getting started with their chess tournament.

 

Batch '74 Chess enthusiasts.
Batch ’74 Chess enthusiasts.

 

9. BizNews Asia cited Italpinas Chairman as one of the Top 24 CEOs in Ph

BizNews Asia, the country’s largest weekly business and news magazine, celebrates its 13th anniversary by honoring 24 of the Philippines’ leading CEOs and business tycoons at InterContinental Manila last November 25, 2014.

Also previously listed to be one of the Most Influential People in the Philippines by BizNews Asia, Italpinas Chairman, Dr. Jose “Joey” P. Leviste, Jr, is now cited as one of the 24 leading CEOs in the country.

This story is featured in the national papers:

  • Philippine Daily Inquirer:

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  • The Philippine Star:

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Follow Primavera Residences in Facebook or visit www.primaveraresidences.com to stay posted with news and events from the country’s premier eco-friendly property.

8 Ways to Live Green at Home

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8Ways

 

Have you thought of buying decors that suit your home’s style? Or know ways to live green at home? Would you prefer owning expensive materials that perfectly fit your taste or owning something less expensive that somehow complement your simple homey feels? Nevertheless, there will always be a way, might be expensive or not, that will help our environment’s welfare.

Being eco-friendly won’t mean losing your sense of style. Smart choices can ensure that you do your part, all the while looking good about your contribution to our planet’s well-being. Here are some ways that can contribute to living green in your own space and be a better friend to the environment.

Buy for the long-term. Save toward a quality sofa, for instance, rather than a series of cheapies that you’ll be throwing out every five years. A well-made sofa can be recovered several times over the course of its decades-long life.

rattan-sofaPhoto source: www.interiortaste.com

 

Buy cotton mesh produce bags and take them to the market instead of using plastic bags for your fruits and veggies. It will help keep them fresh in your crisper drawer, too, and are washable when needed.

mesh_produce_bagsPhoto source: www.alternativeconsumer.com

 

Renovating. You may want to add character to your home with reclaimed and salvaged items. You can choose from re-plated chrome bath fixtures, re-enameled vintage bathtubs, reclaimed barn board flooring and salvaged architectural accents like columns, corbels and mantels.

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Photo source: reclaimed-wood-furniture.net

 

Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products. Look for products that are biodegradable, phosphate-free and not tested on animals.

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Photo source: www.packworld.com

 

Use reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping. Most grocery shops offer eco-bags to also promote eco-friendliness to its customers.

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Photo source: shop.ecology.com

 

Reduce your use of paper towels. Use re-useable, washable cloths whenever possible.

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Photo source: www.airporthotelduesseldorf.de

 

Plant a tree on your property. Or more, if you have space. Trees provide wildlife habitat and help cool the planet.

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Photo source: www.aero-stream.com

 

Put a rain barrel by your downspout to collect rainwater to use in your garden later.

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 Photo source: buildipedia.com

 

Want more eco-friendly tips from Cagayan de Oro’s first and only eco-friendly property? Click here.

For more information, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or www.facebook.com/condoprimavera. You can also call 088-880-5002. 

XUHS ’74 Conducts Successful Chess Tournament at Primavera

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On their ruby anniversary, XUHS batch 1974 started their activities with a Chess tournament at Primavera Residences.

“Chess was a popular sport back in our high school years. It was one of the most sought-after game before, during and after class hours,” Engr. Cesar Causin, Sports Coordinator, said.

Batch '74 Chess enthusiasts.
Batch ’74 Chess enthusiasts.

Annually, Xavier University is active in organizing reunions and this year, it is batch 1974’s turn in forming one.

“40 years of family and friendship, it is our privilege to organize this year’s alumni homecoming this November 29, 2014 at the Limketkai Atrium,” Causin shared.

Back to the years where rhythm and blues are famous, it will be relived as they continue to inspire young generations to treasure friendship they have created within the limits of Xavier University High School.

Day 1 at Primavera

To start their Ruby anniversary celebrations, XUHS bacth 1974 chose to kick off their activity at the multi-purpose hall of Primavera Residences.

Batch '74 getting started with their chess tournament.
Batch ’74 getting started with their chess tournament.

“One of our batch mates who proudly owns a condo unit at Primavera prepared for our chess tournament here,” Causin said.

Located at uptown Cagayan de Oro, Causin shared why they opt to consider Primavera to officially start their different sets of activities for this year’s XUHS Alumni Homecoming. “Most of our batch mates reside here in CdO’s uptown area, we’re glad that Primavera has this function hall that is serene and perfect for this kind of occasion. Aside that it’s accessible to restaurants and taxis, most of our batch mates are businessmen that would want an easier access to banks.”

Primavera Residences is the first multi-awarded green condominium building located in uptown Cagayan de Oro City. It’s a twin tower, 10-storey building which was recently awarded as the Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines in the 2014-2015 Asia Pacific Property Awards.

For more information about upcoming community events in Primavera Residences, visit http://primaveraresidences.italpinas.com or http://www.facebook.com/condoprimavera. You may also call 088-880-5002.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Easy Tips and Ideas

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We are all responsible about the change in climate nowadays. The moment when we produce waste every hour of every day make us wonder that out of billions of people in this world, how do we communicate for better solutions? But the bigger question is, are we making a difference in renewing our ways to make the world a better place to live in?

Based on the study made by numbeo.com (last updated in October, 2014), the pollution in the Philippines has reached a high percentage of 72.30% on its Pollution Index, a simple and generalized way to describe the quality of pollution data.

Also, according to the data given, air and water pollution has reached a high rating with 63.41% and 71.65% respectively.

Living in a drastically polluted environment would reflect to how we, as Filipinos, are stagnant in changing our lifestyle.

In our own little ways, we can be catalysts in creating a better world. Here’s how:

Reduce, reuse, recycle (3Rs)

Recycling is the system of collecting, sorting and reprocessing old materials into usable raw materials. Reduce, reuse and recycle are three ways to take action against household wastes.

You can reduce the amount of trash you throw out when you become mindful of the reusable things (papers, bags and containers) inside your home and might as well buy reusable products. In this way, you can recycle anything that is eco-friendly, and compost food scraps and yard trimmings.

So What Can You Reduce, Reuse and Recycle?

  • Paper (magazines, newspaper, phone books, cardboard)

Since it’s almost  the season of giving gifts, why not give eco-friendly gifts by creating papier-mâché items and even wrap it with magazines or newspapers?

 

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Newspaper-wrapped present from Google Images.

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Paper-machéd pink bear from Google Images.

 

  • Glass (bottles, jars) & Plastic (milk jugs, soda bottles, detergent containers)

Glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled infinitely without losing strength, purity or quality. Upcycling is a term used to describe taking useless products and creating new products of better quality and/or higher value. There are many ways how to upcycle unused bottles and jars. You can view Design Rulz for examples on how to creatively reuse unused plastic/glass bottles and jars.

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Plastic soda bottles used as an alternative to pots for plants from Google Images.

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Other examples in upcycling plastic bottles from Google Images.

 

  • Aluminum (beverage containers).

Aluminum cans are among the materials most often collected for recycling and one of the easiest to process. Aluminum also has high value in the recycling industry for its sustainability. Recycled aluminum also gets new life as a component in a variety of products that you use every day, from cookware to computers and automobiles. For beverage containers, if you recycle them, this is what they become.

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Aluminum candle holder from Google Images.

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Aluminum cans as centerpieces from Google Images.

Remember to rinse cans and bottles before recycling them!

 

Planning to travel to Cagayan de Oro? Check in into the only eco-friendly serviced residences in Mindanao for your short-term and long-term accommodation requirements.

Primavera Residences, the first and only multi-awarded eco-friendly property in Cagayan de Oro, is an advocate of sustainable living. For more green tips, click here.

 

Water Conservation 101: 10 Simple Ways to Conserve Water

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Due to the increasingly intense heat brought about by climate change, most of us Filipinos tend to consume tons of water supply to overcome the unpleasant heat and humidity. This might help in the short term but excessive use of water can also contribute to environmental degradation.

We enjoy a year of abundant rain and full reservoirs, and it is easy to think that our water supply is endless, yet we couldn’t afford to be complacent in whatever might come next.

The United Nations (UN) expects 3.4 billion people to be living in countries defined as water-scarce by 2025. When water is scarce, people are forced to consume contaminated water. But prevention is always better than cure, so we might as well do our very best in helping avoid this scenario. Remember, every little act counts.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) offers these water conservation tips:

  1. Turn the faucet off firmly to prevent leakage. Installing low volume/high pressure (LV/HP) nozzles or flow constrictors reduces water usage by up to 50%.
  2. Use water dipper and pail instead of the shower while taking a bath.
  3. Instead of running water, use a glass of water when brushing your teeth.
  4. Buy new, water efficient toilet bowls that consume only 2.6-4 liters of water for every flush. Old models use up to 14 liters of water per flush.
  5. Discard leftover food before washing the dishes. As much as possible, use a basin to save water as well as the dishwashing soap.
  6. Wash all your clothes at once. Don’t allow the water in your wash basin to overflow.
  7. Reuse water from your laundry to flush your toilet or to clean your car.
  8. Instead of a water hose, use only a water pail and a towel to clean your car.
  9. Water your plants only before sunrise or after sunset to prevent water loss due to vaporization.
  10. Switch off the water valve in buildings and homes that are not operational at night. Turn off the gate valve in the evening and turn it on again the following morning.

With the environmental changes that we are experiencing now, our energy-saving acts should hopefully become habits of conservation.

For any concerns about your water supply and related matters, call Cagayan de Oro Water District Hotlines at (08822) 72-8359, (088) 856-4509. If you’re near in their Macasandig and Bugo offices, you can contact them thru (088) 857-2469 and (088) 855-3994.

Love Energy Saving Tips for Kagay-anons? Click here for more eco-friendly tips from Primavera Residences, the multi-awarded eco-friendly property in uptown Cagayan de Oro.

 

On PowerPlay Magazine: A Green Partnership

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PowerPlay screenshot

In 2007, Romolo Valentino Nati, an Italian architect, arrived in the Philippines for the first time. Not only did he come to see the beautiful islands of which he had heard so much from his Filipino friends in Washington DC, but also to explore professional and entrepreneurial possibilities.

His aim was to introduce green architecture, not as a concept to which builders and real estate developers pay lip service for its hype value and for mere profit, but as a realistic approach to development, one that could be applied in the Philippine setting.

He was not disappointed. “I met Filipinos who, like me, are passionate about green architecture and sustainable real estate development,” recalls Romolo, a multi-awarded green architect and designer.

The heartwarming welcome he received, along with excellent prospects that he recognized from the outset, encouraged him
to return for a series of visits. This led to an introduction to Atty. Jose D. Leviste III, or Jojo, a Sydney-based Filipino who was also in town to explore career options in his home country. Theirs was a propitious first meeting, for they soon realized they share the same love and respect for the environment and a vision of sustainable development.

In 2009, the two teamed up and founded Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation (ITPI), with Romolo as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Jojo as President.

Interestingly, the company’s first venture, which has earned praises, is located in Cagayan de Oro City, 900 kilometers from
the Philippines’ capital, right on the island of Mindanao. Primavera Residences, as the project is known, consists of two towers situated inside the Pueblo de Oro Business Park, a Philippine Export Zone Authority-registered export zone.

“You have to understand how real estate impacts the environment. Some people underestimate this,” Romolo says of the design principles of the company.

“With an increase in energy consumption, there is an increase in electricity production, climate change and environmental degradation. There is a need for a solution, but to know the solution, we need to know how we created the problem,” stresses Romolo.

“We want to be thought leaders,” Jojo says. “At first at the level of our projects, but in the longer term, I would like our ways of thinking (in relation to design, efficiency and quality of life) to spill over and influence what Filipinos should come to expect of our living environments in a wider sense.”

 

Featured in PowerPlay Magazine, July 2014

 

 

 

Climate Justice: A Brief Sketch of the Role of Developed Countries in the Issue of Climate Change

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Landscape Collage

Climate change is affecting landscapes and living conditions worldwide. In Cagayan de Oro, there is a strong effort to build shelters adapted for climate change and to promote sustainability in everything we do.

We reap what we sow. This has been an adage enthusiastically taught to me by my educators since I was young. And for some time I believed it.

Then here comes climate change.

Why would a person who may never had a television or radio, and who probably have walked for most of her life for lack of fare be deprived of her house, her livelihood, and even her family because of nature’s ‘revenge’?

Following international talks on climate change is frustrating. Since the start of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the creation of the Kyoto Protocol, what the countries have achieved in their discussions are just additional carbon footprints from all those delegates traveling from around the globe to give lip service.

Here’s a rough sketch of what they had been trying to nail in the negotiations. Developed countries, as what the qualifier implies, have the money to put in place mechanisms that would help poor countries to mitigate the effects of climate change and allow the world to adapt to the changes without the continued of loss of lives and properties. It is also given that this developed countries had actually contributed – and are still contributing – a lot to carbon emissions having industries that intensively use – or used – fossil fuels and other polluting inputs. Despite these two things, however, none of them want to commit funds for the reduction of carbon emissions. Sure, there had been some amount – so far roughly $7.5M out of the target $100B – raised. But what is that compared to the needed amount to put up the mechanisms?

In the most recent summit in Warsaw, the countries have once more promised to cut down their emissions as soon as possible – but not earlier than the first quarter of 2015. Meanwhile, crops are dying in Africa and small islands in the Pacific are disappearing.

What can we do? We wait out the rain.

Or not. There is always the option of lobbying not only to our government but to businesses that have come to our country to take advantage of our natural resources. We might be too comfortable in our uphill homes with ready air conditioners or heating systems. But let us remember we are now facing unexpected calamities. We never know what could hit us. And it wouldn’t be distinguishing a house made of wood from a house made of bricks.

Looking for a community that is taking active steps to support a sustainable lifestyle? Click this link and we’ll guide you.

 

 

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

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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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Multi-awarded Italian architect offers to draft rehab master plan for typhoon-hit areas

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Tacloban city scale

 

MANILA – An Italian architect with an interest in green energy and sustainable architecture is offering to help draft the master plan to rebuild Leyte and other parts of Eastern Visayas hardest hit by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’.

Architect Romolo V. Nati, executive chairman and chief executive officer of ITPI (Italpina Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corp.) said he is willing to work with local engineers in affected areas to build storm-resistant urban centers.

“I feel very sad for the Filipinos in Tacloban and Leyte who have to deal with the death and destruction brought by Yolanda, and I would like to help them get back on their feet,” said Nati, who has made the Philippines his adoptive home for four years now.

The Italian head of ITPI has partnered with Constellation Energy Corp (CEC),which has expanded its business from green energy to the design and development of sustainable buildings.

CEC has contracts with the Department of Energy (DOE) for several geothermal, wind and hydroelectric projects.

“Even as we grieve, we can move forward,” said Nati. “Now we have a chance to develop the master plans of the new cities and towns—sustainable plans that take into account the need to survive typhoons and build sustainable habitats.”

“It is possible to create master plans of cities and towns that have a much better chance of withstanding super storms and other extreme weather conditions that the world expects as a consequence of climate change,” he said.

Some features of sustainable habitats include proper zoning or concentrating living spaces in higher areas, in places 50 to 100 meters above sea level, and building dikes and storm walls, as well as drainage channels to facilitate the flow of storm waters into the sea.

“For buildings, we can also adopt what I call the ‘Aikido strategy,’ that includes adopting features that minimize the opposition of strong winds and storm waters,” Nati said. Aikido is a Japanese martial art in which practitioners don’t oppose their attackers head on but instead flow with the motion of the attacker to redirect the force of the attack.

Among these features are perforated facades and inner courtyards, both of which minimize the opposition of buildings to storm surges and strong winds brought by typhoons.

“Buildings can also be designed to withstand extreme conditions by adopting hydrodynamic and aerodynamic shapes,” Nati said.

“Of course building structures that are elevated from the ground will also help protect the building from flash floods during storms,” he said.

“For settlements along coastal areas, erecting buildings with all their load-bearing walls positioned perpendicular—and not in opposition—to the sea can help withstand tsunamis.  Open room-to-room designs that minimize obstruction in the event of overpowering flow of water can also help,” he said.

Nati said these storm-resistant features have been incorporated in Tower 1 of the Primavera Residences, ITPI’s mixed-use condominium complex in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City, and helped it survive the deadly typhoon Sendong that flattened many buildings in CDO and in nearby Iligan City in December 2011.

Nati’s work has been recognized by many organizations around the world and has won him many international competitions, including the 2011 Design Against the Elements (DAtE) International Design Competition sponsored by the National Geographic Society, the Climate Change Commission, and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) with other institutions.

His “Coral City Concept” bested 200 entries from 50 countries and bagged the Special Energy Award.

He graduated summa cum laude in architecture from the La Sapienza University in Rome and has a Masters in Urban Landscape and Layers from the University of Tallin in Estonia.

Published by Interaksyon.com

 

DPWH gets DOJ nod to adopt green building regulation

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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