The Philippine Green Building Council partnered with the BCI Asia in delivering Building Green 2011 and the FuturArc Forum 2011.

DAY 1: FuturArc Forum

October 25, 2011

Mr.Tzion Asher, Manager of BCI Asia in the Philippines delivered warm opening remarks highlighting the concerted efforts of the private and public sector towards green development in response to the alarming effects of climate change. On the same note, he emphasized the value of the green building rating system, BERDE, in attracting society towards building certification, and its tremendous positive effects on the environment and on the society at large.

The welcome remarks was delivered by Ar. Christopher Dela Cruz, Chairman of the Philippine Green Building Council.  He emphasized on the appreciative value of the Filipinos toward friendly competition. As a result, the market-driven society that propels economic activities and development in the country drastically moves itself towards a greener and sustainable means of development. This explains why a localized green building rating system is in need to be implemented in the country: to be Filipino-based in context and to be tailor-fit and greatly relevant to the local state of the Filipino society. He also explained the primary role and importance of the relationship of the market-sector, and the development of the green building rating system.

A keynote speech was delivered by the Presidential Adviser on Climate Change of the Office of the President, Sec. Elisea Gozun, which formally opened the lecture series.  She presented statistical data on the emergent effects of climate change, not only on the local setting but on the global perspective as well. She synthesized the government sector's plans and programs that are directed at addressing issues concerning climate change. As a banner statement, she said that the world is changing, thus requiring concerted efforts from both the public and private sector. She mentions that such declaration has lead to the propagation of the concept of planet stewardship as a shared community responsibility, and such responsibility should be done vis-a-vis every sector of the society.

Mr. Kevin Hydes, a past chairman of the World Green Building Council focused on how the public was able to internalize and thoroughly understand the principles of green building rating systems and how they perform in many parts of the world. Discussing its effects and advantages in a multisectoral approach, Hydes was able to incorporate process and performance into one cohesive point of discussion. He stressed out that fragmentation --- the inability of various sectors to deliver within the standards set by the green building system --- acts as a main barrier in implementing ecologically sustainable and environment friendly design.

Arch. Nicolo Del Castillo, a faculty member of the UP-College of Architecture and FuturArc Prize 2nd Placer, presented his team’s winning entry named as UrbanSOT: Sustainably Optimized Tenements.  This project aimed to become a model of tenement housing in the country under the two main principles of habitation and food security. He discussed the evolutionary stages of their design as well as the principles behind every design solution implemented. The entire team was able to maximize usage of locally available resources, and proved that through proper management and utilization, sustainable development can easily be achieved and lived through.

Arch. James Jao, a graduate of London School of Economics, presented the evolutionary process of his design for an ecologically sustainable and environment friendly house aptly named EcoJao.  His exploration of materials for design and construction showed the feasibility of a structurally sound house in the Philippines, and he was able to bring in the idea to the mainstream market, which was warmly received by the public. Jao also pointed out several factors that inspired him in coming up with an innovative design applicable to housing types and other building types such as schools and complexes.

Ar. Owen Wee Liam Choo discussed the pilot housing project of Surbana International Consultants Pte Ltd., and how they were able to maximize the utilization of land contrast to the growing population and settlements in Punggol, Singapore. He likewise addressed several issues on sustainability, and emphasized the importance of an integrated design process --- where a multidisciplinary approach is observed from the conception to the implementation of every project. The project was awarded the FuturArc Green Leadership Award by BCI Asia.

Ar.Richard Garcia of G&W Architects is the project head of the Philippines’ first LEED certified building: the Texas Instrument Phase V building. He discussed the evolutionary process of the project, and the technicalities of the design's compliance to the LEED green building rating system. His presentation mainly emphasized the importance of maximizing the usage of local resources that surrounded the site. Strategies and technologies that were used on the project were briefly discussed as well.

A Panel Discussion was held where questions raised from the audience were addressed by the speakers, and gave a participatory approach of learning on the forum. The event concluded with how the market should sustain the agility to push efforts to go green in a multisectoral perspective.

DAY 2: Building Green 2011

October 26, 2011

The morning sessions of Building Green 2011discussed the evolution of the Philippines' green building rating system, the Building Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) Green Building Rating System.  Engr. Michael P. Reyes, BERDE Technical Management Board Chairman, and President and COO of DCCD Engineers, discussed the stages of BERDE's development.  In 2000, he shares that the conceptualization of greening the country was realized through the initiative of the market sector to come up with a green building rating system that is timely and relevant.  Soon after, activities were set by the Philippine Green Building Council to develop BERDE, and these activities aimed to establish the process and continually develop each technical requirement version to further address the need of the current time.

Arch. Nestor Arabejo, BERDE Standard Committee Co-Chairman, and Principal Architect of Ecotektonika, Inc., briefly discussed how BERDE was contextualized for the local setting.  Mr. Tristan Arwen Loveres, COO of TÜV Rheinland Philippines, followed his presentation by comprehensively explaining the process for the certification of Certified BERDE Professionals (CBPs), Certified BERDE Assessors (CBAs), and registered BERDE projects. This ensures the reliability of BERDE as a sound green building rating system.

Questions which transpired from the audience through the panel discussion focused on the fundamental role of building materials on the certification process and the rating system.

During the afternoon session, Atty.  Cristina Samson, Executive Vice President of the NET Group, discussed how the NET Group applied all proactive strategies of greening a building to the Net Lima Building --- the pilot project for BERDE for New Construction.  She extensively discussed the green aspects of the Net Lima building, and stresses that the NET group aims to further the concept of future-proofing all their buildings.

Mr. Levi Agoncillo, Assistant Vice President of First Balfour, Inc., explained the process of conception to development of their Corporate Building. Being the first BERDE Registered Building to undergo certification and assessment, he also explained the company’s vision to contribute to the development of BERDE.

Ar. Lea Lisa Michelena-Cruz of LV Locsin and Partners, presented the overall design evolution and conceptual analyses done by their office for the De La Salle University - Henry Sy Hall, another BERDE Registered Building. Integration of green principles in line with BERDE concepts and focus on the fusion of the academic and the environment made the building harmonious with the built and natural environment.

Engr. Erickberth N. Calupe of Ayala Land Inc. presented the progress of Ayala Land Inc. in embracing the advocacy of the PHILGBC through BERDE, by greening their systems, subsidiaries, and incoming developments.

In conclusion, BERDE on a perspective of various scales and intensity of development is looking through insights on existing projects towards innovating and updating the green building rating system. Through those insights, learning from the past experiences are good milestones set to be able to adapt to the better technical requirements version in the future.

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Documentation written by Vinson P. Serrano