Recognizing Our Power to be Green

9/23/2009



Last week, I was fortunate to catch an exhibit set up by green architecture advocates such as Architects Joven Ignacio, Robert Mirafuente, and Lui Daya at the recently concluded Green Forum which coincided with the ManilaCon Building Exhibition at the World Trade Center on Roxas Blvd. The forum was organized by the Green Architecture Movement headed by their chairman, Architect Ega Reformado, and other Green Architectue Advocates.

This is a group of forward-thinking builders who have dedicated their career to the responsible designing of eco friendly homes and buildings that support sustainability.
They are the new breed of professionals who serve as the conscience of the architectural and building community the world over. In the exhibit, they featured homes and buildings which are passively cooled, energy efficient, utilizing materials from sustainable sources.

I also met personalities engaged in promoting the preservation of our environment, such as Mr. and Mrs. Neils Jacobsen, of NorthWinds, the firm that built the towering wind turbines in the landmark wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Mr. Carmelito Tatlonghari, a Green Building (LEED, GBIM) accredited mechanical and electrical engineer, and the forum’s resource speaker, Mr. Collin Somerville, the managing director and lead environmental consultant of Seacon Environment Ltd, who shared his expertise in construction waste management and life cycle assessment.

Seacon is a company dedicated to working in partnership with industry, commerce and public entities to bring about identifiable business benefits via sensible and sensitive environmental strategies. The company is accredited to undertake the assessment of buildings using BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. This globally-recognised system provides occupants, developers, architects, and designers with a range of standards for best practices in the sustainable design and correct environmental performance of buildings.

By obtaining a BREEAM accreditation, clients are proactively sharing in the noble responsibility of upholding mother earth. They are assured that their developments are low environment-impact buildings according to set standards. They ascertain that the best environmental practice is incorporated into the design and construction of their structures, using a benchmark that is higher than regulation levels. They make use of a tool or guide to help reduce running costs and improve the existing working and living environments.

Ideally, consultation and accreditation are preferable at the beginning of either new-build projects or the modification of existing premises at its design conception stage. This helps avoid incidences of any expensive changes in methodology or materials specifications. With their assistance, the builders can integrate environmental sustainability, structural durability and economic efficiency, employing robust technical standards, quality assurance and certification.


These days when urbanization seems to have a mind of its own, we need to put a leash on haphazard development and redefine the meaning of progress.  Is it just building as if our resources are limitless or should it be building responsibly, with one eye set on the future? We must realize that our natural resources do run out. But we must also believe that there is something we can do to restore it. With available knowledge and technology, we are empowered to act, react, and pro-act for the environment. Recognizing our duty is one thing, but practicing, learning, and sharing from your experiences are even better courses of action. We do have the power to become green.

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