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- Category: Properties
- 15 Apr 2014
- Written by Rizal Raoul Reyes
IN this age when strong typhoons such as Ondoy and Yolanda are the new normal, the country will have to produce more emergency architects who will also be involved in providing quality infrastructure design against earthquakes, tsunamis among others.
“The role of an emergency architect is to formulate the right design of a structure that can withstand the onslaught of natural disasters,” said Topy Vasquez, chairman and chief executive officer of T.I. Vasquez Architects and Planners, in an interview during the opening ceremony of the United Architects of the Philippines Convention Exhibition (ConEX) recently held at the SMX in Pasay City.
The UAP’s 40th foundation anniversary highlighted green architecture and ground-breaking design in its lively showcase of products, materials, technologies, and services for building and construction. The opening ceremony was graced by Architect and UAP member Shamcey Supsup-Lee, along with Vasquez, UAP national president Sonny Rosal and over 500 architects during the three-day expo.
ConEx is the only exhibition that was organized by the group of accredited architects showcasing the best from the country’s well-esteemed architects such as Raul Locsin, Meloy Casas, William Coscolluela, Ed Calma and Budji Layug.
UAP also conducted series of seminars on ‘Business of Architecture’ and ‘Architecture for Nation-Building’ modules in which the public got insightful tips and information from architects themselves. UAP also offered architectural tours and talks on climate change and survival of architecture.
The UAP, according to Vasquez, is helping a municipality build an evacuation center to provide people with a secured location in case natural calamities strike. “Every year, our people are evacuated to a gymnasium or a public school,” he said.
“Why don’t we build a sturdier and a more sustainable structure?” added Vasquez, who is also the chairman of CONEX. He stressed producing a quality structure will have to factor in the cost of the construction and people must realize that there are no shortcuts to achieve this. Architecture has proven in history that architects can produce sturdy designs such as the Greek and Roman structures by adapting to the environment. “We don’t fight nature and we should adapt to the current environment. The UAP has drafted some life-saving tips in case of a typhoon for the public.”
The UAP recommended that people should get out of harm’s way from a typhoon by evacuation or by moving them to a different city or province. Other tips include taking a refuge in solid and stable buildings; evacuating to higher ground for those living near rivers and coastal areas and keeping an inflatable raft or life jacket for people living in flood-prone areas.
Homeowners also must give extra attention in protecting their roofs citing that in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda, damage on roofs started on the corners. “It is quite important to reinforce the corners with extra rivets between the existing ones and conduct regular check-ups on the sealants to prevent leaky roofs,” Vasquez said.
The UAP urged homeowners to keep their gutters clean and downspouts clear to prevent rain water from overflowing into the attic or interior ceiling of their home.
As far as window protection is concerned, a 19-millimeter thick plywood can be fitted to windows for protection. UAP also recommended that this should be done way ahead before a typhoon strikes and stored in an easily accessible storage space for easy installation a day before the typhoon. Furthermore, condominium residents can also use this in the interiors as an alternative to glass film.
Filipinos must also consider putting a safe room in their homes so the family can take a refuge in case of intruders during natural calamities. For a start, a bathroom is a good place to develop as a safe room. Storing a first aid kit and the availability of water in the bathroom also helps makes this an ideal refuge room.
To increase the chance of survival of the bathroom during a typhoon or an earthquake, the UAP said the homeowners must install two layers of fiber cement board (12 mm-thick) on the ceiling.
The UAP said it is also very important to secure appliances and furniture during natural calamities. It recommended securing tall furniture into walls with metal brackets and screws to keep them from falling in an earthquake. Moreover, the UAP said heavy objects should be stored in lower shelves.
For those who plan to build a house, the UAP reiterated that factoring the environment is quite important. They also suggested that the prospective home owner to check the hazard map and check that the property they are planning to buy is not in the flooded plain or on a fault line.
“Houses with hip roofs (quarto aguas) have survived better than those with gable roofs (dos aguas) in the areas hit by super typhoons. In addition, roofs with higher slopes proved to be more resilient than those with lower slopes. Of course, buildings with concrete decks for roofs survived the most,” said Vasquez.
In Photo: A roof is the most important structural aspect of the building and a good roof can protect everything inside your home from the sun, wind and rain and Designed by Architect Topy Vaquez, dubbed as the TPP system (Topy Pinoy Pabahay), Instahom is a temporary structure made for emergency shelter.
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