Chapter 1

Introduction

Fast-phasing urbanization and development with the use of technological advancement and
newly invented structural materials in the Philippines have brought many opportunities in the field
of academics, professions, jobs and escalate the level of comfort for most Filipinos. As the demand
for opportunities inflate, smart cities began to emerge. The City of Cebu is one of the progressing
highly urbanized districts in the country that cater to the changing needs of its people wherein the
abundance of condominiums, hotels, malls, and other institutional developments are seen.

Cebu City, together with other urban areas making up the Cebu metropolitan area, has a
deep and complex cultural life. This has implications for how the place functions. Cebu was already a
well-established trading hub in the area when the Spaniards first tried to take it. Magellan started
the conversation of locals to Catholicism, with the venerated icon of Santo Niño de Cebú a key pivot.
Today it is the oldest Christian province in the Philippines, its first urban center. When the local
Filipinos embraced Christianity, they infused it with much of their indigenous practices. This also
happened across language, cuisine, and culture, creating a unique fusion. 

Figure 1 Sinulog Festival, Cebu

"Fiesta" is the Spanish word for festival or holiday. In Cebu, fiestas are always present. The
people are getting used to celebrating fiestas. Fiesta is a religious event. The grandest of all these
fiestas is the feast of the Catholic Patron, the Sto. Niño is held annually every 3rd Sunday of January.
This celebration lasts a month-long with colorful and meaningful mini-events. The annual festival
of Sinulog held in Cebu is the center of Santo Niño celebrations in the country and is emblematic of
the syncretic nature of Filipino Catholicism. Filipino cultural life and the arts have thus developed as
a hybrid form, with locals proud of their indigenous roots. and a number of artists have explored
their roots through their art-making.   1

I. Overview of the project study

1
CEBU: A CITY OF CULTURE March 29, 2017 by Creative City South Vlog
 Urban migration, whereby populations flock to the urban centers looking for work, leaves
cities short affordable housing, transport links and can either lead to inner-city poverty or urban
sprawl. c, fixed amount of available land. Increasing demands for urban spaces pushed the
environment to grow vertical and compact. In these circumstances, the concept of sustainable
vertical urbanism based on finding a totally new typology of tall buildings seems appropriate and
develops rapidly. This typology is based on the principle of multi-functionality. The term
multifunctionality denotes the ability of a large system to perform many functions. 2

As defined by the Municipal Research & Services Center (MRSC)3 of Washington, mixed-use

development is characterized as pedestrian-friendly development that blends two or more
residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, and/or industrial uses. It is not just limited to a multi-
story development that incorporates commercial use on the first floor with residential uses on the
upper floors. The Urban Land Institute’s Mixed-Use Development Handbook characterizes mixed-
use development as one that provides three or more significant revenue-producing uses such as
retail/entertainment, office, residential, hotel, and/or civic/cultural/recreation, fosters integration,
density, and compatibility of land uses and creates a walkable community with uninterrupted
pedestrian connections.4

From a bird's perspective or on a cityscape many mixed-use tall buildings look like
conventional high-rise towers, often significantly dominating above the surrounding buildings. Their
true environment-forming role can be seen only when you thoroughly analyses how these large-
scale objects have been integrated into the urban environment, especially at the level of its
connection to pedestrian and traffic flows. Talking about the effective integration of mixed-use tall
buildings in the current building development, one of the most important criterion – the degree of
openness of a building into the urban space – should be mentioned. It is very important that the
building, which includes many functions and services, does not become an unassailable fortress
2
High Rise Mixed Use Development at Chennai By Ar. M. Senthil
3
The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) is a nonprofit organization that helps local governments
across Washington State better serve their citizens by providing legal and policy guidance on any topic.
4
What is Mixed-Use Development by Complete Communities Delaware
 where housing is available only for the tenants, offices – for the employees and a hotel – for its
guests. Thus, a reasonable balance between the isolation and openness is required. Isolation is
necessary for a few processes, ensuring their safety and optimum performance. Openness, which
means availability in general, availability for transit, etc., is important both for the dissolution of the
object in the urban space, and for the improvement of urban infrastructure efficiency.

The research shows functional and architectural peculiarities of this typology of tall buildings
and investigates a mechanism of creating zones of mixed-use tall building development in the urban
structure. In conclusion, the researchers consider prospects of development and major directions of
improvement of mixed-use tall building parameters for a reasonable territorial urban growth and
creation of high-density and comfortable building development. 5

II. Current issues and challenges of high-rise buildings in the Philippines

High-rise mixed-used building projects are getting known in developing countries like the
Philippines. However, this type of building is not yet suitable and feasible in the 3rd world countries
because of the lack of resources and budget to create a comfortable and sustainable building that is
why we are struggling with all the issues and challenges in pursuing to achieve this kind of buildings.
Here are some of the issues and challenges we are dealing with in our country.

A. Current Issues of High-rise buildings

1. Construction Cost

This combination of increasing land values and construction costs drives prices of
tall buildings beyond the level of affordability of most city dwellers. The challenge in
designing tall buildings is in lowering the incremental cost of building taller. Doing so will
require innovations in structural design, vertical transport systems and mechanical electrical
systems that will lower unit costs as buildings get taller. 6

2. Drawback to People’s Health

5
Mixed-use development in a high-rise context by Elena M. Generalova, Viktor P. Generalov, Anna A. Kuznetsova,
and Oksana N. Bobkova

6
The challenge of vertical cities by Joel Luna, Inquirer.net
 The effects of the high-rise on mental health is that high-rises keep children and the
elderly from getting the exercise the extra effort it takes to get outside encourages them to
stay at home and flip on the TV. High-rises building deprive people and especially children of
"neighborhood peers and activities. the level of alienation and isolation, things that have
been proven to negatively impact health and even shorten people's lives, increase with the
height of the building.

a. Socio-ecological problems of high-rise architecture

Socio-ecologic aspects of high-rise buildings and vertical districts characterize
the level of comfort and safety of people in buildings and the quality of the surrounding
environment.
 Ensuring the safety of high-rise building users

Increased effort is necessary to ensure convenient and save inside space

conditions, balanced room temperature, air quality, acoustics, hygienic factors,
water supply and sanitation in high-rise buildings for residential, hotel, office
purposes. Uninterrupted operation of elevators is essential in order to ensure the
movement of passengers "up and down" in a regulatory regime, limiting the waiting
time of elevators according norms, with waiting times not interrupting the
functional rhythm of the building. High-rise buildings are often equipped with high-
speed elevators, which have reached a high technological level but are
contraindicated in some cases for passengers with certain diseases.

 Ecological impact and use of natural lighting in high-rise buildings

Particular concern is the negative impact of high-rise buildings on the

biosphere and human health. According to insolation standards, high-rise buildings
require certain distances between buildings of at least 100 meters, to minimize
shading of lower floors even if all norms are observed. In residential buildings,
apartments on lower floors are uncomfortable, their economic quality and market
value is low. According to modern building practice, ground floors are usually used
for shops, commercial use or offices, to provide working places. Second and third
floors also mostly lack natural light and are as a consequence of lower living quality.
Neighborhoods and the rights of neighboring property owners of tall buildings may
face violation of its rights for reasonable natural light and visual quality.

 Visual quality of high-rise buildings

A person can feel discomfort not only on high floors, but also on the street
next to high-rise buildings. Tall buildings and skyscrapers of low architectural quality
can put psychological pressure on people, creating a sense of threat. People feel
"tired", eye irritation, discontent with themselves and their environment in areas
with monotonous architecture (economic high-rises).
 b. Sociological surveys as indicator for needs of inhabitants of high rises

City authorities should comprehensively study needs and opinions of their urban
inhabitants prior to realization of high-rise buildings. Town planners should learn how
residents feel while living in upper floors and physicians should study the physical and
mental state of people, living or working in high-rise buildings. 7

6. Security Issues

When it comes to high-rise buildings, security continues to be a big problem for

residents. A number of property management companies complain that disagreements over
security costs lead to dispute as condominium board members, owners, and tenants don’t
want to shell out extra money for guards, software systems and the operation of closed-
circuit cameras.

High-rise buildings are known for higher crime rates, including drugs, theft and
burglary. Crime and the fear of crime increases with the height of a high-rise building ,
management can’t afford enough security, strangers can roam around easily, there is lower
visibility as compared to low-rise buildings, and there are more hiding places. Security
experts say that a luxury high-rise is going to invite high-end burglars. A high-rise that isn’t
new and properly maintained may be equated with lower-income housing, thus attracting
drug dealers and vandalism.

B. Challenges of High-rise buildings

1. Social Interaction

Achieving a sense of community in tall buildings is also a challenge due to the

limited opportunities for congregation and social bonding. The concept of neighborhood in
the context of high-rise living is often lacking. But if rapid urbanization will push people to
live in ever taller buildings, then these structures will need to counteract the tendency
towards isolation and loss of social connectivity. There is a palpable absence of sense of
community amidst dwellers of tall buildings. Numerous studies have been made relating to

7
Socioecological Aspects of High-rise Construction by Michael Eichner and Zinaida Ivanova
 evaluation of social effects of high-rise buildings observed that high rise residential can
cause poor relationships in households and also between dwellings.

This social withdrawal which is found amidst dwellers o high rises stems from the
irregular and dissipated interaction within the high rise environment. This feature is almost
embedded in the nature of a vertical arrangement of dwelling as there is no interaction or
mingling between people sharing the same space. There are only floors in which an
individual or family lives and the sense of neighborhood is completely absent. That feeling of
sharing a harmoniously sharing a space and dwelling in a place is completely absent in a
high-rise building. All this contribute to existence of strained human and social relations.

2. Fire Safety Precautionary Measure

High-rise buildings present challenges in egress time and distance, evacuation

strategies, fire department accessibility, smoke movement and fire control. The multiple
floors of a high-rise building require big number of persons to travel long vertical distance in
order to evacuate. Sometimes the safest thing you can do in a tall building fire is to stay put
and wait for the fire fighters. Maybe it’s time for our fire department to assess its support
equipment so it can be effective in combating fires in high-rise buildings and closed areas
like hotels and condominiums. Those places are different from open areas. It’s a different
battle ground, so to speak.

3. Stability

High-rise building foundation challenge to establish design and performance

parameters for a high-rise building. Design need include: evaluation of bearing capacity and
stability, the impact of the natural calamity such as typhoon and earthquake on building
response, load distribution among support element and building to building interaction in
closely space development as well as constructability.

Structures that are tall or skinny are generally less stable, making them more likely
to fall when exposed to lateral forces, whereas ones that are shorter or wider (at the base)

are generally more steadfast.  Architects and engineers use all kinds of innovative
techniques along with these basic principles to build amazing skyscrapers. Building heights
keep creeping upward as technology allows engineers to safely build higher.

4. National and Local Laws and Ordinances

 a. RA 9514 FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPNES

It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety and promote economic
development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires
and promote the professionalization of the fire service as a profession. Towards this
end, the State shall enforce all laws, rules and regulations to ensure adherence to
standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability for fire safety
in the fire protection service and prevention service. 8

Figure 2 Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9514 for High-rise Mixed-used building

b. PD 1096 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE

8
Lawphil.net
 These Rules shall be known and cited as the “Revised Implementing Rules and
Regulations of the National Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096)” and shall be
referred to as the “IRR”. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to safeguard
life, health, property, and public welfare, consistent with the principles of sound
environmental management and control; and to this end, make it the purpose of the
Code to provide for all buildings and structures, a framework of minimum standards and
requirements to regulate and control their location, site, design, quality of materials,
construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance.

The scope of this IRR shall cover the following disciplines: architectural,
civil/structural, electrical, mechanical, sanitary, plumbing, and electronics. This shall also
apply to the design, location, siting, construction, alteration, repair, conversion, use,
occupancy, maintenance, moving, demolition of, and addition to public and private
buildings and structures, except traditional indigenous family dwellings, and those
covered by Batas Pambansa Bilang 220 otherwise known as the “Economic and
Socialized Housing Projects”.9

Figure 3 Implementing Rules and Regulations of PD 1096 for High-rise Mixed-used building

c. BP344 ACCESSIBILITY LAW

Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 – An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons
by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to install
Facilities and Other Devices in order to promote the realization of the rights of disabled
persons to participate fully in the social life and the development of the societies in
which they live and the enjoyment of the opportunities available to other citizens, no
license or permit for the construction, repair or renovation of public and private
buildings for public use.

Educational institutions, airports, sports and recreation centers and complexes,

shopping centers or establishments, public parking places, work-places, public utilities,
shall be granted or issued unless the owner or operator thereof shall install and
incorporate in such building, establishment, institution or public utility, such
architectural facilities or structural features as shall reasonably enhance the mobility of
disabled persons such as sidewalks, ramps, railings and the like.

If feasible, all such existing buildings, institutions, establishments, or public

utilities to be constructed or established for which licenses or permits had already been
9
PD No. 1096 Implementing Rules and Regulations of National Building Code of the Philippines by Official Gazette
 issued may comply with the requirements of this law: Provided, further, That in case of
government buildings, street and highways, the Ministry of Public Works and Highways
shall see to it that the same shall be provided with architectural facilities or structural
features for disabled persons.

In the case of the parking place of any of the above institutions, buildings, or
establishment, or public utilities, the owner or operator shall reserve sufficient and
suitable space for the use of disabled persons. 10

Figure 4 Implementing Rules and Regulations of BP 344 for High-rise Mixed-used building

5. Wind Effects

10
BP 344 Accessibility Law by National Council on Disability Affairs
 The development of high strength concrete, higher grade steel, new construction
techniques and advanced computational technique has resulted in the emergence of a new
generation of tall structures that are flexible, low in damping, slender and light in weight.
These types of flexible structures are very sensitive to dynamic wind loads and adversely
affect the serviceability and occupant comfort. 11 The wind is the most powerful and
unpredictable force affecting high-rise buildings. High rise building can be defined as a mast
anchored in the ground, bending and swaying in the wind, this movement, known as wind
drift, should be kept within acceptable limits. Wind loads on building increase considerably
with the increase in building height. The speed of the wind increases with height, and the
wind pressures increase as the square of the wind speed.
The fluctuation in the upstream wind causes the building to vibrate resulting in
accelerations. These accelerations can negatively influence the inhabitants of a tall building.
Human comfort is an important issue in tall buildings because accelerations can make
inhabitants insecure. The shape of the buildings significantly affects the wind forces on it
and the resulting motion.
III. Green building standards for high-rise development
A. Green Building

Green building is the practice of adopting measures that promote resource

management efficiency and site sustainability while minimizing the negative impact of buildings
on human health and the environment. This practice complements the conventional building
design concerns of economy, durability, serviceability and comfort.

B. Philippine Green Building Code

A referral code of the National Building Code (P.D. 1096). The state shall protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm
and harmony of nature against harmful effects of climate change. It shall safeguard the
environment, property, public health, in the interest of the common good and general welfare
consistent with the principles of sound environmental management and control; and for this
purpose, prescribe acceptable set of standards and requirements for relevant buildings to
regulate their location, site, planning, design, quality of material, construction, use, occupancy,
operation and maintenance.

11
Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, Building and Housing Vol. 11, No. 4 (2010) by J.A. Amin and A.K. Ahujab
 The GB Code adopts a staggered or incremental approach and is subject to periodic
review by the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through the
National Building Code Development Office (NBCDO), to modify or include new aspects and
emerging efficient technologies and expand the coverage to other building use / occupancy or
replace outmoded measures.

a) Objectives

The GB Code seeks to improve the efficiency of building performance through a

framework of acceptable set of standards that will enhance sound environmental and
resource management that will counter the harmful gases responsible for the adverse
effects of climate change, throughout the building’s life-cycle including efficient use of
resources, site selection, planning, design, construction, use, occupancy, operation and
maintenance, without significant increase in cost. This GB Code is a set of regulations setting
minimum standards for compliance and not intended to rate buildings.

b) Principles
1. The technical professionals, developers, contractors, property managers and building
owners involved in the planning, design, construction and management of buildings
have the opportunity and responsibility to help government address the adverse effects
of climate change by ensuring that buildings are planned, designed, constructed,
operated and maintained to the required efficiency level.
2. Resources must be used efficiently to equitably meet the developmental and
environmental needs of the present and future generations.
3. Occupants of green buildings will benefit from improved indoor environmental quality,
which promotes higher productivity and better comfort.
c) Building Use/ Occupancy Coverage and Application

The provisions of the GB Code shall apply to all new construction and/or with
alteration of buildings in the following classification with the required minimum Total Gross
Floor Areas (TGFA). GB Code does not apply to existing buildings of the above use /
occupancy classification constructed before the effectivity of the GB Code.

When alterations, additions, conversions and renovations of existing buildings

constructed after the effectivity of the GB code, which reached the TGFA are to be made,
the whole building shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the GB Code. A building of
 mixed occupancy with combination of classification, shall use appropriate measures
applicable to each classification.

C. Green Building Standards

1. Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency requires the adoption of efficient practices, designs, methods and
technologies that reduce energy consumption resulting in cost savings.

a) Building Envelope
• Air Tightness and Moisture Protection

As the humidity levels are very high in the Philippines, the unwanted
infiltration and humidity ingress into the spaces can cause additional load on the air
conditioning system and a detrimental impact on air quality. Buildings must be
planned and designed with specific details to ensure that air tightness is maximized.
Details should precisely include joints, service entry points, windows and doors.

a. Requirements

Buildings shall be planned and designed with:

i. Complete gaskets, weather-stripping, door bottom sweeps and seals within

and around window and door assemblies
ii. Moisture protection on the surface of the external façade to reduce vapor
or moisture migration from external spaces
b. Exceptions

Buildings and spaces without provisions for air conditioning systems are
exempt.

• Glass Properties

Compared to wall assemblies, glazing transfers more heat and hence, it is

ideal to reduce the amount of glazing with respect to the wall in order to reduce
internal heat gains. The requirement of Window to Wall Ratio (WWR) needs to be
balanced with the amount of daylight coming through the glazed area.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is used to determine the amount of solar
heat admitted through the glass divided by the total solar radiation incident on the
glass. Visible light Transmittance (VLT) is used to determine the amount of light
transmitted through the glass.

a. Requirements

WWR shall be balanced with SHGC to maintain flexibility in design. To

further describe, the higher the designed building WWR, the lower the required
SHGC in glass windows shall be and vise-versa. This does not however, remove
 the option for building owners to apply windows with low SHGC for building
with low WWR.

i. The size of the opening (with or without glass) shall be in accordance with
the NBC for each WWR value, the SHGC and VLT.

The SHGC requirement can be adjusted if sun breakers are provided

in the windows. Sun breaker plays a very important role in reducing solar
heat gain as it stops the solar radiation before it enters the building and
doing so reduces the cooling loads considerably. External shading has the
additional positive effect of improving the internal comfort cutting part of
the direct radiation on occupants. This must be applied only to windows
that are shaded.
SHGC limits can be adjusted by multiplying it with the correction
factors summarized in the following tables, using the formula:
SHGCadj = f x SHGC
where: SHGCadj is the adjusted solar heat gain coefficient limit for windows
with external shading, SHGC is the solar heat gain coefficient, f is the SHGC
correction factor for the external shading.
ii. For intermediate values of D/H or D/W the lower figure of correction factor
should be used as stated in Tables 3 and 4. D is the depth of the shading
device as projected from the building exterior wall and H or W is the height
or distance of the bottom sill of the window from the bottom of the shading
device. Shading which is not attached to windows or placed on a wall with
no window should not be counted.

b) Natural Ventilation

This measure will give building occupants the flexibility and opportunity to use
natural ventilation for free cooling and fresh air in regularly occupied spaces. This
measure will limit the tendency to create glass sealed box type buildings. Size of each
room and space shall be consistent with the occupancy load of the NBC
 a. Requirements
i. Operable windows or balcony door shall be provided in regularly occupied
spaces. The size of the opening shall be equal to at least ten percent (10%) of
the floor area of regularly occupied spaces.
ii. All operable windows shall be provided with safety features for protection
against strong winds, water penetration and protection for building occupants
including child safety and security.
c) Building Envelope Color

Light-colored building envelope, especially the roof areas which are the most
vulnerable, can reduce heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the building by
having surfaces with high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI).

a. Requirements

d) Roof Insulation

Insulation can help reduce heat gain in a building thus improving thermal
comfort, acoustic quality and reducing the load on the air conditioning system.

a. Requirements

Buildings shall be provided with roof insulation so that the average thermal
resistance value (R-Value) of the roof is at least R-8. See Annex 4 (Insulation R-
Value). For Insulating Values of Common Building Materials see Annex 3.

e) Mechanical Systems
 Air Conditioning System

Air conditioning typically accounts for more than fifty percent (50%) of total
electricity costs in a centrally air-conditioned building. Hence, the efficiency of an air
 conditioning system is of prime importance. The heart of the air conditioning system
is the cooling system, typically chillers in large buildings and is important to procure
an efficient cooling system.

a. Requirements

The cooling equipment shall meet or exceed the minimum efficiency

requirements.

 Water Heating System

The use of energy-efficient water heating systems in buildings, by observing

minimum power performance requirements, will help reduce energy consumption
due to heating of water.

a. Requirements

Applicable buildings shall comply with the minimum performance

requirements for water heating in the 2010 PSVARE Standards.

c. Exceptions

Buildings with no water heating systems and buildings with using solar
water heating and/or heat pump for water heating are exempt.

 Variable Speed Drives and High Efficiency Motors

Variable Speed Drive (VSD) describes the equipment used to control the
speed of machinery by changing the frequency of the motor that is being operated.
Where process conditions demand adjustment of flow from a pump or fan, varying
the speed of the drive may save energy compared with other techniques for flow
control.

a. Requirements
i. All motors for mechanical equipment over five (5) kW shall be provided
with variable speed drive and high efficiency motors in accordance with
Table 10.
ii. All motors of cooling towers shall be provided with variable speed drive
and high efficiency motors.
iii. All motors for domestic pumps shall have high efficiency motors as
indicated in Table 10.
b. Exceptions

Kitchen ventilation fans are exempt from this requirement.

Noncentralized air-conditioning systems in buildings are not required to employ
variable speed controllers.
  Enthalpy recovery of Exhaust Air

When buildings have outside air or fresh air supply and extract system
through mechanical means, using heat exchangers can use the air extracted from
the building areas to pre-condition the incoming outdoor air. This process exploits
the fact that the extract air is usually already conditioned and therefore colder and
drier.

a. Requirements
All buildings with centralized air supply system shall use enthalpy
recovery wheels with efficiency of at least sixty percent (60%) of ninety percent
(90%) exhaust air.
b. Exceptions
Buildings without centralized cooling systems are exempt.
f) Electrical Systems
 Daylight Provision

Building should be planned and designed to maximize the use of natural

light so to reduce the use of artificial illumination.

a. Requirements
All regularly occupied spaces inside the building shall have a view of any
combination of the following features that can allow daylight into the room
space:
i. Window
ii. Light shelf
iii. Clerestory
iv. Skylight
v. Light monitor / light scoop
vi. Other devices that can allow daylight inside
b. Exceptions
Spaces where daylight access hinders its intended function are exempt
from this provision with justification for exemption.
 Daylight Controlled Lighting System

Building interior perimeter zones exposed to daylight generally do not

require artificial lighting during the day. However, sub-optimal design and operation
of the building results in use of artificial lighting when not required. Photoelectric
sensors connected to luminaires help in dimming or switching off lamps that do not
require to be operated due to presence of adequate daylight.

a. Requirements

Applicable buildings shall comply with the following:

 i. Lighting fixtures within the daylight zone shall be controlled with
photoelectric sensors with an auto on-off basis or continual dimming. The
photoelectric sensor shall be located approximately at half (½) the depth
of daylight zone.
ii. If occupancy sensors are installed in the daylight zone, the occupancy
sensor shall override the photoelectric sensor during non-occupancy
period.
c. Exceptions
Installed lighting fixtures within the day-lit zones are exempt from using
photoelectric sensor if this hinders its intended function, with justification for
exemption.
 Lighting Power Density (LDP)

Limitation of LPD will help to design the lighting system in the most efficient
way and reduce the lighting and cooling load in the buildings. 3 The maximum
allowed LPD for each space type is specified.

a. Requirements

All applicable building types shall comply with the LPD limits in the 2010
PSVARE Standards.

 Occupancy Sensors for Lighting Control

Occupancy sensors linked to lighting shall be installed in areas with variable

occupancy.

a. Requirements
i. In order to limit the use of electricity in unoccupied areas of buildings,
occupancy sensors linked to lighting (except for emergency and security
lighting) shall be installed in the following areas with variable occupancy:
 corridors
 private off
 storage rooms
 common toilets
 meeting rooms
 stairways
 other similar areas
ii. For covered car parks: minimum of sixty per cent (60%) of the lighting
must be controlled by the occupancy sensors.
 c. Exceptions
Provisions for emergency and security lighting are exempted from this
requirement.
 Elevators and Escalators / Moving Ramps / Walkways

Escalators / Moving Ramp / Walkway must be fitted with controls to

automatically reduce speed or stop when no traffic is detected. Elevators must be
fitted with mechanisms to reduce energy demand.

a. Requirement

Applicable buildings shall comply with the following:

i. Escalators / Moving Ramps / Walkways

 Escalators / Moving Ramps / Walkways shall be fitted with automated
controls to reduce to a slower speed when no activity has been detected
for a maximum period of one and a half (1-1/2) minutes
 The escalator / moving ramp / walkway shall automatically be put on a
standby mode when no activity has been detected for a maximum period
of five (5) minutes and duration may be adjusted depending on the
demand.
 These escalators / moving ramps / walkways shall be designed with
energy efficient soft start technology. Activation of reduced speed, power
off and power on modes shall be done through sensors installed in the top
or bottom landing areas.
ii. Elevators
 Elevators shall be provided with controls to reduce the energy demand.
To meet this requirement, the following features must be incorporated:
- Use of Alternating Current (AC) Variable Voltage and Variable
Frequency (VVVF) drives on non-hydraulic elevators
- Use of energy efficient lighting and display lighting in the elevator car
shall have an average lamp efficacy, across all fittings in the car, of
more than 55 lumens / watt
- Lighting shall switch off after the elevator has been inactive for a
maximum period of five (5) minutes
- The elevators shall operate in a stand-by condition during off-peak
period.
• Transformer

The transformer shall be tested in accordance with relevant Philippine

National Standards (PNS) at test conditions of full load, free of harmonics and at
unity power factor.
 a. Requirements

Transformers that are part of the building electrical system shall have
efficiencies not lower than 98% as prescribed in the DOE Guidelines on Energy
Conserving Design of Buildings.

b. Exceptions

There are no exceptions to this provision.

• Overhead or Elevated Water Storage

To reduce dependence on motorized systems to supply and distribute

potable or non-potable water within the building, thus help reduce energy
consumption, overhead or elevated water storage systems are used, provided
there’s a twenty percent (20%) fire reserve over and above the average daily
demand supply. The system relies mostly on elevation and gravity to distribute
water within the building.

a. Requirements

Applicable buildings shall include in the water distribution system the

integration of overhead or elevated water tanks that will facilitate the
distribution of potable and / or non-potable water into the building spaces,
without compromising the required water volume and pressure based on
demand and the Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

b. Exceptions

Buildings below ten (10) storeys high are exempt from this provision.

2. Water Efficiency

Water efficiency requires the adoption of efficient practices, plan, design, materials,
fixtures, equipment and methods that reduce water consumption resulting in cost savings.

a) Water Fixtures

Efficient water fixtures include faucets, showerheads and water closets that use
less water in order to perform the same function of cleaning as effectively as standard
models. Water efficiency is an important aspect, especially as fresh water resources
start getting depleted at a rate faster than they are replenished. Use of efficient
plumbing fixtures, sensors, auto control valves, aerators, flow control and pressure-
reducing devices, wherever possible, can result in significant reduction in water
consumption.

a. Exceptions
There are no exceptions to this provision.
 b) Water Management
• Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater is one of the purest sources of water available. Rainwater from

roofs and hardscape must be collected and reused for nonpotable purposes.

a. Requirements
i. Minimum storage tanks size (in cu.m) shall be calculated by dividing the
building footprint area by 75.
ii. Collected water shall be used for non-potable purposes such as toilet
flushing, irrigation and cooling towers.
• Water Recycling

Recycled water from Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) shall be reused for
non-potable purposes.

a. Requirements

The recycled water produced on site shall be reused for non-potable

purposes such as toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling towers, through a distinct
and separate piping system from the potable water supply system.

c. Exceptions
Buildings with no dedicated STP are exempted from this requirement.
3. Material Sustainability
Material Sustainability governs all matters related to resource efficiency and
material selection and use with the least impact on the environment.
a) Non-Toxic Materials

Non-Toxic building materials refer to building materials without hazardous or

toxic chemicals that could cause Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and eventually lead to
Building Related Illness (BRI).

a. Requirements
i. Paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants used indoors or nonventilated areas
shall not contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) or should be within levels
tolerable to humans as specified in Table 14.
ii. Composite wood shall not have urea formaldehyde content.
 iii. All other materials containing chemicals used in construction shall not
compromise and be deleterious to the health and safety of the workers and
occupants of the building.
iv. Specifications shall comply with the allowable VOC limits as stated in Table 14
with Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from supplier and other certification
to justify the compliance of the material.

4. Solid Waste Management

Efficient waste management requires the adoption of efficient waste management

practices and use of eco-friendly materials.
 a) Material Recovery Facility (MRF)

MRF shall be provided for the collection and segregation of solid waste materials

a. Requirements
i. Buildings shall be provided with a minimum area for MRF as specified in Table
15.
ii. MRF shall be fully enclosed and easily accessible from within the building and
from the outside for easy collection of waste.
iii. Solid waste containers shall be provided for at least four (4) types of wastes:
- compostable (biodegradable)
- non-recyclable (to be disposed off in the landfill)
- recyclable (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, etc.)
- special waste
iv. For hospitals, isolated bins for hazardous wastes shall be provided to avoid
contamination.

5. Site Sustainability
Site sustainability requires the adoption of planning, design, construction and
operation practices that minimize the adverse impact of buildings on ecosystems and water
resources.
a) Site / Ground Preparation and Earthworks

Site clearing, grading and excavation shall be planned at the start of

construction to mitigate pollution caused by erosion and sedimentation taking into
consideration existing endemic foliage as regulated by the DENR. All existing utilities and
water bodies and waterways, shall be protected and shall not be disturbed.

a. Requirements

Measures for site protection shall be in place before the start of construction.

i. Building site erosion and sedimentation control plan that outlines measures to
be applied to prevent soil that can run-off at the natural bodies of water,
causing water pollution.
ii. Additional measures to mitigate the effect of pollution and safety on
construction conforming to Rule XI of the NBC
iii. Storm water collection management plans
 iv. Structures or facilities for storm water collection
b) Open Space Utilization

The inclusion of green areas or landscaped areas for indigenous or adaptable

species of grass, shrubs and trees will help in providing more permeable surface for the
building development’s open space and thus allow the re-charging of natural ground
water reservoir, control storm water surface run-off, cool the building surroundings, and
provide indoor to outdoor connectivity for the building occupants.

a. Requirements
A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the required Unpaved Surface Area
(USA), as required in Rule VII and VIII of the NBC, shall be vegetated with indigenous
and adaptable species.
6. Indoor Environmental Quality

Indoor Environmental Quality requires the adoption of efficient design and

operation practices that take into consideration the building environment to improve
occupant health, productivity and safety.

a) Minimum Fresh Air Rates

The building indoor environment can contain more contaminants many times
over than the outside. Various studies have shown that indoor air contaminants can
cause health disorders, through symptoms of SBS and BRI. The introduction and
application of minimum fresh air rates will maintain acceptable indoor air quality thru
the constant replacement of indoor air in buildings.

a. Requirements

Compliance to the minimum fresh air rates provided in the latest Philippine
Society of Ventilating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers (PSVARE)
Standards.

b) Designated Smoking Area

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is one of the leading causes of respiratory

illnesses in building occupants. RA 9211, the Tobacco Regulations Act, restricts tobacco
smoking in public spaces and the prescription of designated smoking areas inside
buildings.

a. Requirements
i. If smoking is banned within the building and property premises, “NO
SMOKING” signs in compliance with the RA 9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines
2008), shall be posted in conspicuous areas of the building and property
premises to remind building occupants of the policy.
ii. If smoking is only allowed outdoors, designated smoking areas shall be
naturally ventilated, outside of the building shell and away from building
 entrances, windows and outside supply air (OSA) intakes by at least ten (10)
meters.
iii. If smoking is allowed indoors, designated smoking areas shall be provided,
partitioned from the rest of the indoor areas. Partitions shall be from floor to
soffit of the next floor or roof structure. Enclosed smoking areas shall be
equipped with adequate exhaust system with exhaust rate in accordance with
the latest PSVARE Standards. Exhaust shall directly vent out to the outside of
the building and away from any building openings or air intakes.
iv. Doors and windows of enclosed smoking area shall always be closed and well-
sealed. Negative pressure within is recommended to prevent smoke
infiltration to adjacent spaces.
b. Exceptions
Buildings with a general policy of “no smoking” within building premises
may be exempted from having designated smoking areas.
IV. Design Standards and Guidelines
A. Land Use Zoning
1. Mixed Use (M1, M2)

All buildings in the Mixed-Use Zone should provide separate and exclusive entrance
for the residential portion of the development to ensure its privacy and security.

B. Transportation
1. Road

Multiply connections will be created between the site and the surrounding highways
and roadways. Greater road capacity and more convenient access will be created without
encouraging vehicles to use the Global City as a through road.

2. Public Transit System

An integrated mix of local and regional transit systems are envisaged to form the
backbone of the Global City’s transportation network.

3. Pedestrian Circulation

A special feature of the Global City is the comprehensively designed pedestrian

system which will be provided through a mixture of elevated skywalks, arcades, ground level
passageways and at underground level along the transit system. The intention is to create a
convenient functional and interesting pedestrian circulation system that cohesively links the
main areas of the Global City.

C. Utility Services

The city is to be serviced with water supply, drainage and sewage systems. It will also be
provided with electricity, telecommunication facilities and piped LPG.
D. Architecture and Urban Design
1. Gross Floor Area

Gross Floor Area (GFA) is defined in the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and
Restrictions as the area contained within the external faces of the external faces of the
external walls (or in the absence of such walls, the external perimeters) of any building(s), to
be erected on a lot measured at each floor or level ( including any floor below the level of
the ground) together with the area of each balcony in such building(s) which shall be
calculated from the overall dimensions of the balcony(including the thickness of the sides).

2. Basement

Basements are permitted up to the property line, subject to public and roadway
easements. Grade areas above basements must be designed and landscaped so  as to
integrate with their immediate surroundings.

3. Building Height

The building height of all buildings must conform to the requirements of the Air
Transport Office. There must be continuous and unhampered access (with no abrupt grade
changes) between buildings and required skywalks. The recommended ground level to
second level floor-to-floor height is 6 meters for buildings with required skywalks and
5meters for buildings without required skywalks.

4. Building Character

Building character relates to the range of exterior visual patterns expressed through
cornices, columns, glazing and variations in massing, colors, texture, and materials, etc. In
identifying the particular character for abuilding it is important that:

• It respects the character of buildings in the same block/district.

• Facades should employ different but related architectural elements so as to avoid
repetition and monotony. The expression of building character should include horizontal
and vertical banding and rhythm, storefront cadence and lintel, cornice and molding,
tower to podium proportion and the organization of glazing, etc. Comparable and
 compatible design details should be employed at all sides of the building. Vernacular
architectural elements are strongly encouraged to reflect the culture of the Philippines.
In addition, the design of the building should respond to the local climate in both the
overall form and materials used.
5. Building Materials

Building and other improvements, including, landscaping, lighting and signage must
be consistent with and blend with the character of the environment in which they are
located as well as the requirements of the Design Standards and Guidelines. The use of
environment-friendly materials is encouraged.

External reflective glass should be clear with an outdoor reflectance of 20% and the
shading co-efficient of 0.3or anything with an equivalent performance in terms or
reflectivity and energy efficient. The actual specific minimum construction(s)cost of
buildings may be determined by the Declarant in supplemental declaration to these Design
Standards and Guidelines that it may issue for time to time.

6. Façade

All building walls, including the parking structures, should be designed with
sufficient architectural details to create identity and still be in harmony with the context.
Building should provide for a hierarchy of horizontal and vertical expression and patterns
that should relate to the particular form and proportion of a building. The purpose of
detailing is to create consistency among the building frontage (tower) and other
architectural features, such as the building entrance, corner and variation inset back, etc.

Relentless grids and eggrate fenestration should be avoided. All parking above
ground shall be confirmed in parking structures and be visually screened with architectural
treatment. Parking structure side openings shall be covered with grills or similar treatment
of no more than 50% open and/ or transparent in area. Balconies are allowed
and encouraged.

7. Building Entrance and Store Front

The main entrance to a building should be clearly defined by its size and form as
well as in the use of colors, texture, materials and lighting. Its size, however should relate in
scale to the overall configuration of the building base. The main entrance doorway should
be recessed into the façade and /or located under an arcade or canopy. Also, entry doors
must not project beyond the property line when open and must comply with all access
requirements as required by the Law to enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons. The
design of a store front should reflect the activity which is accommodated behind it as well as
the urban setting in which it is located.

Unifying elements with respect to sign age, graphics, awning and lighting etc. should
be adopted. Store front along pedestrian routes should at least be 75% transparent. Glass
 block, etched, sand blasted, mirrored, or stained glass are allowed but are counted as
opaque material. The design and use of materials in both main entrance and storefront
must comply with the requirements outlined in the local building fire and other relevant
codes. The materials used should be durable and weather resistant. Storefronts must also
take into account the requirements contained in Section 2.12and Section 4regarding façade
and the Pedestrian System, respectively.

8. Roof + General

Roofs should be designed in accordance with the architectural treatment of the

tower and podium below.

9. Podium Roof

Utilities and equipment on podium roofs must be screened from top and sides with
appropriate structures that are visually in conformity with the building design. In mixed use
developments, podium roofs should be designed with access and amenities for tenants and
residents.

10. Fences, Walls, and Gates

Gates in exclusive residential areas should be recessed to a minimum of 5 meters,

towards the interior property, providing free and unimpeded movements along sidewalks
and roads. Fences should act as visual screens as well as physical screens. They are to be
developed according to these Design Standards and Guidelines. Fences and wall designs and
materials are subject to design approval by the Declarant. Fences are to be maintained by
the lot buyer/owner.

E. Parking and vehicular access

1. Parking
a. Minimum Headroom

Private Cars, Taxi 5x2.5x2.4; Coaches, Buses 12x3.6 x3.8 Lorries; Container
Vehicles12x3.6x4.5 The Lay bys are drop off points for private vehicles and taxis. The
minimum headroom relates to the clearance between the floor and the lower most
projection from the ceiling including any lighting units, ventilation duct, conduits or
similar. The first 5 meters of entrance and exit ramps to carparks abutting sidewalks
shall have a slope of not greater than one percent (1%). No portion of either the
entrance or exit ramp shall intrude into the sidewalk pavement.

i. Standards of Car parking Provision for Mixed Used (M1, M2 Zones)

• Minimum of 1 slot per unit size of 100 square meters and above
• Minimum of 1 slot per aggregate floor area of 1 sqm GFA or fraction thereof, for
units below 100 sqm.
ii. Standards of Loading/Unloading Requirements for Mixed Used (M1, M2)
 • Minimum of 1 loading/ unloading bay for lorries within the site for every
residential lower or as determined by the Declarant.
iii. Standards of Loading/Unloading Requirements for Convention Facilities
• A minimum of 1 loading/ unloading bay for lorries for every 500 sqm, or art
thereof GFA
b. Length width minimum headroom

For sites of at least 500sqm net site area, 1 picking up/ setting down lay by for
taxis and private cars for every 20,000sqm of GFA or part thereof, or as determined b
the Declarant. The Lot Buyer/Owner shall contribute a reasonable amount to the
development and maintenance of off-site carparks in proportion to the number of
parking rights owned by the Lot Buyer/ Owner. Every development application to the
Declarant must contain a Car Parking Plan as detailed in Section13 of these Design
Standards and Guidelines and the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.
In case of redevelopment, the Lot Buyer/ Owner will be required to comply with parking
requirements as a result of the redevelopment.

2. Loading and Unloading Requirements

• Loading and unloading requirements must be provided within the lot boundary.
• The point of access for loading/ unloading activities should not interrupt any main shopping
frontage
• The maneuvering of lorries should be within the lot except where access is onto vehicular
service lane.
• Loading/ unloading bays should be located close to the service entrance.
• Wherever possible, loading/ unloading activities should be accommodated underground.
3. Space for Parking Service Vehicles
• Space for the maneuvering, parking, loading of refuse collection vehicle or any other service
vehicles shall be provided on the ground floor, basement or vehicular service lane, as
appropriate.
• The space so provided shall be designed to allow vehicles to enter and leave the lot without
reverse movement. Exceptions to this provision must be with prior written approval of the
Declarant.
F. Pedestrian Style
1. Comprehensive System

Developments are encouraged to adopt an integrated pedestrian network that

accommodates circulation on and between there levels:

• Above grade-skywalk and galleria

• At grade-arcade galleria, greenway, passageway
• Below grade ± underground concourse and passageway Certain development locations
are required to provide and comply with arcade and greenway’s shown in the
Pedestrian System Plan.
a. Above Grade Linkage Skywalk ± Planning Guidelines:

Covered pedestrian passageways located above grade and forming part of the
public pedestrian circulation network are categorized as part of the skywalk system.
Wherever possible, the skywalk must be integrated into the internal circulation system of
the individual developments into which it links.

• All skywalk bridges must be perpendicular to the roadway over which they pass and
no part of the skywalk system running parallel to the lot line shall protrude beyond
the exterior wall of the development.
• Wherever possible, skywalks should link into other pedestrian circulation systems
such as arcades, ground level passageways and underground concourse level of
transit system to create a convenient, functional and interesting pedestrian
circulation throughout the major parts of the area.
• Any commercial/ soliciting activities within/ on a skywalk bridges shall require the
prior written approval of the Declarant.
• Adjoining property owners are encouraged to coordinate their plans so that the
connection point is mutually agreeable. In case of conflict, the parties shall submit
the issue for the Declarant’s resolution.
b. Skywalk ± Design Criteria

The design criteria of the skywalk system must be compatible with the overall
character of the neighborhood(s) in which they are located with the architectural treatment
of the individual building(s) that they form part of and/or connect into. Detailed
requirements of the planning and design of the skywalk system must comply with the
guidelines.

• WIDTH - 3.5 meter minimum interior clearance.

• HEIGHT - 2.5 meters minimum interior height
• CLEARANCE - 5 meters minimum from the street surface to the bottom of the bridge
structure.
• ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED - connection point between building and skywalk bridges
shall be accessible to the disable.
• ENCLOSURE/ COVER - the entire system shall be covered overhead; all bridges must
be partially glazed on side with 75% f the surface being transparent; and provided
with heat insulation.
• ACCESSORIES - lighting shall be provided throughout the entire skywalk and trash
cans must be provided at appropriate locations.

Elevated structures, such as railways, flyovers, bridges and footbridges, shall comply
with the latest minimum vertical clearance requirement of the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH).  They recently issued Department Order (DO) No. 53, series of 2016,
 updating the standard vertical clearance above overhead structures to ensure the sufficient
clearance of tall vehicles passing underneath roadways.

Under DO 53, vertical clearance above the roadway shall not be less than 4.88
meters over the entire roadway width, to which an allowance of 0.15 meter shall be added
for future additional road surfacing. Pedestrian footbridges over roads, on the other hand,
shall be 0.30 meter greater than the vertical clearance to reduce the risk of truck impact
against pedestrian bridges which have low load capacity.

Minimum vertical clearance shall also be provided below the coping at locations
where a portion of the carriageway is underneath the coping (e.g., intersections, U-turn
slots) to allow the safe passage of vehicles. The clear height/headroom between the
pedestrian bridge walking surface and the bottom of the girder of the structure above it
shall not be less than 2 meters.12

2. Pedestrian Edge Treatment

In the planning and layout of all lots, due considerations shall be given to the pedestrian.
The use of colonnades, arcades, canopies, skywalk and covered walks is generally encouraged.

G. Landscape within private open space

1. Within lots, internal publicly accessible landscaped areas are encouraged, in particular, in all
large-scale developments. If such spaces are integrated into the comprehensive pedestrian
network, such space may be utilized for public art.
2. Open space within lots shall be designed with amenities for residents and occupants, including
garden, pools, shades, structures and play areas. In the case of the residential buildings, the
podium roof should be developed to maximize use by residents.
3. Private open spaces within use or commercial parcels must be designed to enhance the use of
outdoor spaces, particularly at the podium level.

12
Department Order (DO) No. 53 of Department of Public Works and Highways
 Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

I. Case Study
a. International
i. Improving Human-building performance in Mixed-Use High-Rise Building through
livability character (A case study of mixed-use high-rise buildings within Victoria Island,
Lagos, Nigeria)
By Aluko Olawale Sanya
Department of Architecture, School of Environmental Technology
Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Figure 5 Shelter Tower in Victoria Island Lagos

Abstract

The emergence of Mixed-use buildings is a function of demand and necessity

regardless of location. Recently, it has been adopted as high-rise mixed-use building and
has greatly enhanced urban scenery. While that has brought huge economic and social
advantages, the focus of Mixed-use high-rise buildings design has been on exterior
appearance with little consideration for interior functionality. This makes it a very finite
and encapsulated world in and of itself.
 Descriptive case studies of existing scenarios were carried out revealing that
mixed-use high-rise buildings were strictly designed to provide a work and live scenario
with no regard for human-building relationship performance. Training of modern
architects to inculcate culture and pattern of social behavior of the prospective
occupants, the providence to enjoy what is obtainable in cities, redefining of spaces
through livability character principles were recommended to enhance the human-
building performance in mixed-use high-rise buildings.

Relation to Project

Livability describes an urban ability to provide and sustain a quality of life for all
of its inhabitants. Livability evolves out of a wealth of existing resources and conditions
that promote healthy living, such as clean air, water and soil. Good schools, convenient
shopping, safe community spaces and secure infrastructure all play an important role in
making an urban and building a success and livable. Livability in mixed use is achieved
through the presence of a variety of non-residential uses, which aim to create
opportunities for interaction between local residents and visitors within the building.

• Draw Nature Closer to People

Blending nature into the buildings helps soften the hard edges of a
highly built-up structure and provides the residents with pockets of respite from
the bustle of urban life attributed to the normal routine lives. Green spaces, is
not only aesthetically pleasing, but also is good for the air quality and mitigates
the harsh heat of the tropical sun and the technological complexity of the
building materials that is utilized in the building.

• Pervasive Greenery

Urban or city greenery is usually done within the horizontal spaces, but
livability in high rise includes ―pervasive greenery‖, meaning the design of the
building inserted greenery wherever it could—be it on the lobby, a garden, a
building facade, or a rooftop. The idea was to cloak spaces with green wherever
the eye could see.

• Parks and sit out

This involves the introduction of parks and water bodies into the
interior spaces for recreation and community activities, giving many leisure
options to residents who seek a break from concrete and glass to provide a
means of relaxation.

• Activate Spaces for Greater Safety

Having a sense of safety and security where one lives is an important

factor in enjoying a high quality of life. Densely populated and highly built-up
 cities and places tend to be portrayed, sometimes unfairly, as unsafe places. A
stronger sense of personal security through a mix of well-thought-out
architectural design helps to provide security and in turn reduce the level of
crime within the building.

• Access to Amenities

People want to be able to easily access a variety of basic goods and

services within walking distance. People also value access to entertainment,
including bars, independent movie theaters, music venues and galleries. Access
to green space and parks is another trait that distinguishes more livable mixed-
use high-rise buildings from less livable ones.

ii. Public Space Planning of Mixed-use High-rise Buildings - Focusing on the Use and
Impact of Deck Structure in an Urban Development in Seoul
Jae-Hyun Shim, Seung Park, Eun-Ju Park
Professor, Architectural Department, Sejong University
Seoul Korea

Figure 6 Seoullo Skygarden, Seoul

Figure 7 Seoullo Skygarden, Seoul

Figure 8 Seoullo Skygarden, Seoul

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the planning and the design of public
space at the street level of Mixed-use tall buildings currently developed and constructed
in Korea. In recent years, Deck structure is highly used in many large-scale projects in
term of separating and providing safe pedestrian access from the vehicles. Based on the
site situation, this deck structure takes different configurations and shapes. However,
the development and adaptation of deck planning is mainly focused on its use within
the boundary of each specific site. This study is to analyze the characteristic elements of
deck structure as prototypical types based on the connectivity to the adjacent areas and
to, by using Space Syntax program as a method to draw quantitative data, analyze the
deck's spatial configuration in terms of its integration and intelligibility. Comparative
case study is performed on Tower Palace I and II in Seoul, Korea. And also, categorizing
various use of the decks and the common spaces will give more clear design guideline
for future planning of similar structures.

Relation to Project

'Deck' space is introduced to segregate the pedestrian passageway from the

automobile access to provide safe space for the pedestrians and to reduce the risk of
automobile accidents for a high-density project within a limited site area. At the same
time, deck space can also provide additional community space with its location between
the street and the building connecting the two boundaries. In this chapter, the
typological use of the deck and the definition of transitional space, namely semi-public
space, are observed for more clear definition of their characteristic differences. The use
of the deck is to create artificial ground space over the natural ground level. It is to
provide additional space to accommodate some activities that would be accommodated
at the ground level. Especially, in a highly condensed site situation, this deck space gives
more rooms to adopt numerous street and ground level activities.
 In general, the terms such as pedestrian bridge, sky-walk are familiar as a
structure that connects one point from the other. It provides a safe walkway away from
the heavy automobile traffic. The term, sky garden is familiar as the space high over the
ground level and provides relaxing environment away from the hectic street level. Based
on this general notion, Table 1 shows more genetic differences of these kinds of
structures.

These kinds of deck structures are adopted often especially for high-density
mixed-use projects to accommodate more ancillary space to the shortage of ground
space. Providing relaxing outdoor spaces with various landscapes by using the deck
structure obviously raises the quality of living condition and also, adds more value to the
property in the crowded urban setting.

Figure 9 Sky Bridge

Main function of the sky bridge is to act as a connecting structure between two
different points or places. It is the structure solely to provide accessibility and to work as
linear walk passage over the ground level. Due to its overhead location, this passageway
can be free of any disturbance by automobile and also, reduce the vertical traveling
distance when it is connecting mid-high floors between the tall buildings. For an
example, in Petronas Tower, the connecting bridge (Sky Bridge) is installed to provide
additional escape access from one building to another in case of fire emergency.

On ground level, since this form of bridge is used to cross the automobile way
and provides safe pedestrian access, there are several intriguing applications of it in
other cities such as Hong Kong and Baltimore. However, this bridge offers mainly a
moving space rather than a stationary one so that, to make a clear distinction from
other deck structure types, its space as an amenity function will be considered minimal
and not be considered as a community space for the purpose of this study.

Figure 10 Deck Plaza

Main function of the deck plaza is to separate the pedestrian access, by raising
the deck level, from the site entering automobile traffic at the ground level. It is to
provide a safe area and also, additional amenity spaces to the building occupants.
Unlike the sky bridge, the deck plaza is placed between the public street in front of the
property and the main buildings above the ground level. In a mixed-use building, deck
plaza space also connects supportive facilities such as shops, culture and entertainment
center, offices and so on. As a result, it forms the common space for the people within
that complex. It not only provides a pedestrian passage but also ancillary space for
gathering, landscaping or playing for the community.

One of the important planning elements of the deck plaza relies on the strategy
of allocating the access point. The stairs or the ramps to the deck level should be
conveniently placed for the pedestrian who is approaching the complex from outside.
The deck plaza forms a transitional space between the public domain and the private
one. In terms of territorial criteria, it is also leveled as semi-public or semi-private space.
In any case, its character as a buffer zone between the street and the building signifies
its presence in urban environment since the city is not just comprised of buildings but
with void spaces among them. For this reason, how the deck space is planned in relation
to the buildings exerts the force of future growing of the city and creates its sustainable
base.

Figure 11 Sky Garden

 The major difference of the sky garden to the deck plaza is the connection from
its outside domain. Unlike the deck plaza, sky garden is an isolated space assigned to
exclusive community or users. In this case, free access of the general public is controlled
with minimal accessibility so that the space created this deck structure is utilized solely
for the closed community within the complex as an enclosed garden or an internal
gathering space. As an extended horizontal structure, it can still connect buildings and
other supportive facilities and work as a connecting space within the complex. With its
limited accessibility, sky garden can be placed at any height in the building complex.
Nowadays, roof top spaces are also utilized as landscaped gardens and resting places for
the building occupants.

Even though sky garden is an open space and common place, due to its
exclusiveness, it cannot be categorized as a public or semi-public function in view of
urban environment. By raising the ground level vertically, it is more of a private space,
not much different from an enclosed building structure.

iii. First solar-powered apartment skyscraper to rise in Melbourne (Sol Invictus Tower)
By Simon Johanson and Marc Pallisco
Melbourne, Australia

A landmark high-rise apartment tower in Southbank whose glass exterior is

wrapped in solar cells will provide its residents with "off-the-grid" power stored in Tesla-
like batteries, its designers say. The 60-level building will be the first skyscraper in
Australia environmentally engineered to include solar cells in the facade, creating a far
greater surface area for catching the sun's rays. The curved exterior of the building has
been orientated to deliberately capture the sun's movement from east to west
throughout the day, a feature that had created an "elegant tower".

Figure 12 Sol Invictus Tower Street View Figure 13 Sol Invictus Tower Aerial View

"The objective will be to have a complete off-grid building. That's probably

somewhat over-ambitious but the objective is to get as far as we can down that road,"
Mr. Brook said. To do that, high-tech solar materials will be sourced from China, wind
 turbines will be fitted on the roof, glass will be double-glazed, a battery storage system
will service the 520 apartments and it will have low-energy LED lighting throughout. Mr.
De Luise said it would be Australia's "first substantially off the grid green-energy
generating residential tower". The facade is expected to house about 3000 square
meters of panels, with an extra 300 square meters on the roof. The building's current
design would provide more than 50 per cent of the tower's base load power.
Technological advances were expected to significantly boost that figure before it was
built, he said.

b. Local
i. ‘Zephyr’ Mixed Use Development in Mandaluyong City, Philippines by Archion
Architects by Sumit Singhal July 13th, 2011
Mandaluyong City, Philippines

The ‘Zephyr’ Mixed use development is a conceptual design of a High end

commercial & retail space coupled with residential units above. the design is inspired by
flows of air which the building harvests to power common areas in the development.
The Building is angled in a way as to maximize wind flow through the turbines as well as
minimize heat gain. Though the turbines are the most visible “green” aspect of the
design, many other aspects contribute to the sustainability of the design. The project is
being envisioned as part of a larger development to showcase sustainable technologies
and practices that can be used without greatly affecting our lifestyles as a first step to
the acceptance of sustainability in the local market. Technologies such as:

 Rainwater harvesting and water recycling help reduce the developments impact
on water resources.

 Roof gardens and gardens reduce surface runoff

 Selective Low-E glazing reduces heat gain and balances cost.

 LED lighting for common areas to reduce operating costs and hear gain.

 Power management systems to inform the tenants of power and water

consumption are being considered for the project.
 Figure 14 Zephyr Wind Turbines Figure 15 Zephyr Street View

ii. Cebu Underpass DPWH Project (Mambaling Underpass)

Mambaling, Cebu City

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 (Central Visayas) on

Saturday morning opened the PHP638-million Mambaling, Cebu underpass project to
traffic aiming to ease the traffic flow along the N. Bacalso Ave. - F. Llamas St. junction.
The underpass project, which began in 2017, became controversial when parents ranted
on social media about the terrible traffic that had affected their children’s travel time to
school.

However, the DPWH-7 and the Cebu City Traffic Office (CTTO) maintained that
the project is the solution to the traffic congestion in the area, which has two
supermarkets, a fast food restaurant, and other business establishments, as well as the
city’s oldest main thoroughfare before the Cebu South Coastal Road. With the new
underpass, DPWH hopes to ease the traffic flow in the area in time for the opening of the
new school year. However, DPWH-7 asked for patience and understanding from the
public, explaining that the project is the solution to the traffic congestion in the area once
it is completed.
Chapter 3

Analysis
I. Design Philosophy

“Divergent things made in order to be unique are not likely to be better, but things which are
made to be better is always different.”

Being different is not a good enough reason to be different. If something is designed to

be different for the main purpose of being different, it does not necessarily mean that it is better
or will turnout better because it has been comparison is made therefore the new design is
influenced by the design of others so it will not be different at all. But if something is designed to
be better, for the intentions to be better, it will naturally become different because the purpose
of bettering the design of others will naturally make it unique and stand out from the rest. This
is because better is equals to improvement and therefore improvement is equals to change so
by designing a building with the intention of it being better than others it will have to be
changed, making it unique from any other designs. In other words, if the design has a purpose of
improvement, it will always be unique or different because improvements equals change.

II. Design Concept

La Fiesta Ecléctico

Cebu City is one of the places wherein celebration of festival is most cherished,
preserved and adored because of its cultural and historical significance to their past, their
present and their future. That being said, the Architects wanted to integrate the thrill and joy of
traditional Cebuano Festival with contemporary features incorporating the principles of
eclecticism through design.

The Architects conceptualized a design in which a single piece of feature incorporates a

mixture of elements from previous historical styles with the use of technological advancement
to create something that is new and original. Eclectic style meshes together a variety of styles
and time periods and brings them together using cohesive elements like color, texture, and
finish. The architects wanted to create a sustainable fun area to showcase the character and
identity of the place. Being eclectic is being daring, willing to bend the rules, and break
traditions.

A. Further Explanation of Design Concept

1. La Fiesta

A Spanish word which means “The Fiesta” in English translation is a Philippine

festival or gala, adapted from the culture of Spain, which is an event ordinarily staged by
a community, centering on and celebrating some unique aspect of that community and
its traditions, often marked as a local or national holiday. A fiesta is a special occasion of
feasting or celebration, usually with a religious focus. Aside from religion, and
sometimes folklore, another significant origin is agricultural. Food (and consequently
agriculture) is so vital that many festivals are associated with harvest time.

In Cebu City, the grandest festival is the Sinulog Festival celebrating the feast of
the Catholic Patron, the Sto. Niño. In Cebu, when celebrating fiesta, it is expected to be
fun, colorful and has plenty of food. There are plenty of traditions like face painting and
use of festival props like headdresses and colorful body accessories to honor and make
their celebrations fun and memorable. Another tradition the Cebuanos have that is
connected with festival is the body painting of people that happens on streets. The
locals apply paint to anyone they come across with extending their happiness and
culture to other local or tourist. The people really spend time just to prepare for this
event since Cebuanos are known to be religious, a fiesta is already part of their lives.

a. Banderitas
 The Filipino word “banderitas” came from the Spanish “banderita” meaning
small flag or small pennant. Philippines was colonized by Spain during the reign of
King Philip (where the country got its name from). Spain’s colonialization of the
Philippines for about 300 years finally ended on June 12, 1898, the country’s
Independence Day. Banderitas are usually small flag-shaped pieces of paper or
plastic that are arranged in a string and hung up during fiestas. A tradition we
adapted from the culture of Spain and is being used up to this day. Banderitas are
symbolism of celebrations like fiesta and festivals that is why the architects used it
to their design and accent.

2. Ecléctico

A Spanish translation of the word “Eclectic” in English, is a popular adjective in

interior design parlance, meaning a decor that comprises heterogeneous elements — a
mixture of textures, time periods, styles, trends, and colors. Eclecticism is a 20th century
design style in which a single piece of work incorporates a mixture of elements to create
something new and original. Many people use the term to describe a 'hodge-podge' of
styles and colors, but it is its own style.  It can be difficult to pull off correctly, and can be
smashing if done properly.  It is easy to love, but tough to achieve.

It upsets the old rule book -- mixing east with west, old with new and flashy with
calm.  The energy in the style is drawn from the contrast and the variety.  Too often it is
used as an excuse for a mismatch of the various design elements.  Many people call
their setting 'eclectic' when there is no central theme. In today's world it has become its
own distinct style.  It can be funky and individualized or mainstream and more serene.  If
you enjoy combining different clothing and fashion styles, then eclectic is bound to be
your thing.
a. 6 Elements of Eclectic Design
• Mismatched

One of the most common elements of eclectic design is mismatched

furniture. The trick is to unify the different pieces by linking them through color
and materials.

• Old and New

Another way the eclectic style mixes and matches is by mixing old
elements and new elements. Bringing in elements from different time periods is
a wonderful staple of eclectic design and a great example of how it breaks the
mold. The mix of old and new gives the eclectic space a well-traveled look.
Because all of these elements are connected by the neutral color scheme, there
is no disparity in style.

• Simple Backdrop

The eclectic style, because it is so varied and daring, looks best against a
simple background, neutral wall colors make the focus stay on the eclectic
elements. Because the background is so light, the beautiful features pops and
the art becomes the focus of the room. Choosing a neutral makes your eclectic
tastes stand out so much brighter.

• A few styles. In one.

The best part of eclectic design is being able to mix and match
everything. This means that you can choose two (or more) design styles, and if
you're smart, blend them together to create something uniquely eclectic and
uniquely you. Be creative, choose the design styles that speak most to you.
Mesh those together to create an eclectic look, and tie it all together with color.

• Contrasting Textures

Another way to balance out an eclectic design is by using contrasting

textures. Along with colors that compliment your design, you should choose
textures that contrast, but work well together. For example, this eclectic design
contrasts a metallic gold with matte black and glass to create a modern yet
classic space. The ornate gold mirror frame and the modern glass table wouldn't
normally be paired together. But this design works so elegantly because the
matte black and gold are repeated throughout the room and tied together with,
you guessed it, colors that compliment.

• Standout Pieces
 When designing an eclectic space, don't be afraid to choose one or two
standout pieces. Eclectic design thrives on risk-taking, and choosing a sofa with
a pop of color or adding an interesting pattern to a space can really make a
difference. Even though these elements are widely used for Interior Design only,
the architects incorporated these concepts in everything. The concepts are to be
used on both exterior and interior and up to the plans and design.

III. Design Considerations

A. Aerodynamic Optimization
To improve safety and
serviceability of super-tall buildings in
strong winds, aerodynamic optimization
of building shapes is considered to be
the most efficient approach.
Aerodynamic optimization is aimed at
solving the problem from the source in
contrast to structural optimization which is aimed at increasing the structural
resistance against winds. 
B. Cultural Significance
It means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social
or spiritual value for past, present or future
generations to present the locality’s identity and
the characteristics of its people. It is embodied in
the place itself, its fabric, setting, use,
associations, meanings, records, related places and
related objects.
C. Sustainability

It is also a key element in high rise building design. This concept

is based on the following objectives: optimization of site
potential, minimization of energy consumption, protection and
conservation of water, use of environmental-friendly products,
enhancement of indoor environmental quality, and
optimization of operational and maintenance practices.

D. Safety and Security

It is to be considered to assess the threat
and possible hazardous and unsafe areas for users
to reduce crimes, terrorism and natural disasters
and prevent such casualties and inconvenience
 may be intentional or non-intentional by using safety precautionary measures through
design and technological advancement.
E. Smart Building

The use of automated processes to

automatically control the building’s operation
including heating, ventilation, air conditioning,
lighting, security and other systems and function
through technological advancements. It provides
solutions, improve efficiency, reduce consumption
and reduce energy costs.

F. Bioclimatic Design
An architectural design approach that
utilizes solar energy and other related
environmental resources to provide indoor and
outdoor human thermal comfort based on local
climate. Basic elements of bioclimatic design are
passive solar systems which are incorporated
onto buildings and utilize environmental sources
for heating, cooling and lighting the buildings.

G. Accessibility and Circulation

This is considered for the establishment to

be capable of giving comfort by means of ease of
travel to access and inhabit a space through design
and proper signages regardless of their cognitive
and physical capacities. It may be on foot or via
vehicle on how they interact with the physical space
around them.

H. Aesthetics
In order to present all the other
considerations in a pleasing and creative design,
the principles of beauty, art and aesthetics is
considered. This will help conceptualized and
illustrate the design concept and considerations in
an artistic good-looking way without
compromising the functionality of the spaces.
I. Functional Relationship
 Spaces are planned according to function and their interactions on how will they
operate together to perform the systems goal. It specifies how and why a certain space or
area is positioned and oriented in relation to another given space for better social
interaction of users between spaces and areas, ease of access and circulation and safety.

IV. Design Analysis

A. Matrix and Bubble Diagram
1. Matrix Diagrams (Condominium)

Figure 16 Ground Floor

Figure 17 Second Floor

Figure 18 Third Floor

Figure 19 Fourth Floor

Figure 20 Fifth Floor (Administrators Offices)

Figure 21 Sixth Floor to Thirty-eight Floor (Residential Floors)

Figure 22 Thirteenth Floor (Arcade Floor)

Figure 23 39th Floor (Condo Hub)

 Figure 24 40th Floor (Penthouse)

Figure 25 Penthouse Mezzanine

2. Matrix Diagrams (Mall)

Figure 26 Ground Floor

Figure 27 Second Floor

Figure 28 Third Floor

 Figure 29 Fourth Floor

Figure 30 Fifth Floor

3. Bubble Diagrams (Mall)

Figure 31 First Floor Figure 32 Second Floor

 Figure 33 Third Floor Figure 34 Fourth Floor (Offices)

Figure 35 Fifth Floor

4. Bubble Diagrams (Condominium)

Figure 36 Ground Floor Figure 37 Second Floor

 Figure 38 Third Floor Figure 39 Fourth Floor

Figure 40 Fifth Floor Figure 41 Sixth to Twelfth Floor

Figure 42 Thirteenth Floor Figure 43 Fourteenth to Thirty-eighth Floor

 Figure 44 Thirty-ninth Floor (Recreational Floor) Figure 45 Fortieth Floor (Penthouse)

B. Evolution of Forms and Façade Analysis

1. Odd Floors

2. Even Floors
 3. Façade Analysis

C. Site Analysis
1. Macro Scale
a. Historical Background of the Locality

Cebu City, officially the City of Cebu (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa

Sugbu; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Cebu) is a 1st class and highly urbanized city of the
island of Cebu in the Central Visayas Region, Philippines. According to the 2015
census, it has a population of 922,611 people, making it the fifth-most populated
city in the nation and the most populous in the Visayas. It is the regional center
of Central Visayas and is the seat of government for the province of Cebu, but is
governed separately from it. The city is a significant center of commerce, trade and
education in the Visayas. It is the Philippines' main domestic shipping port, and is
home to about 80% of the country's domestic shipping companies.

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, Cebu city was part of the island-
rajahnate and trade center of Pulua Kang Dayang or Kangdaya (literally "[the
islands] which belong to Daya"), now better known as the Rajahnate of Cebu. It was
founded by a prince of the Hindu Chola dynasty of Sumatra, the half-Malay and half-
Tamil, Sri Lumay. The name Sugbu (shortened form of Kang Sri Lumaying Sugbu,
literally "that of Sri Lumay's great fire") refers to Sri Lumay's scorched earth
tactics against Muslim Moro raiders (Magalos). On 7 April 1521, Portuguese
explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu. He was welcomed by Rajah
Humabon (also known as Sri Humabon or Rajah Humabara), the grandson of Sri
Lumay, together with his wife and about 700 native islanders. Magellan, however,
was killed in the Battle of Mactan, and the remaining members of his expedition left
Cebu soon after several of them were poisoned by Humabon, who was fearful of
foreign occupation. The last ruler of Sugbu, prior to Spanish colonization, was Rajah
Humabon's nephew, Rajah Tupas (d. 1565).
 The Spanish arrived in Cebu on 15 April 1565. They then attempted to
parley with the local ruler, Rajah Tupas, but found that he and the local population
had abandoned the town. Rajah Tupas presented himself at their camp on 8 May,
feast of the Apparition of Saint Michael the Archangel, when the island was taken
possession of on behalf of the Spanish King. The Treaty of Cebu was formalized on 3
July 1565. López de Legazpi's party named the new city "Villa de San Miguel de
Cebú" (later renamed "Ciudad del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús)." 13

b. Location, Site Description, Immediate Neighborhood

Located in the middle of the eastern side of Cebu Island, it is the center
of Metro Cebu, the second largest metropolitan area in the Philippines by
population, economy and land area, which includes the cities
of Carcar, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga and Talisay; and the municipalities
(towns) of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla and San Fernando.
Metro Cebu had a total population of 2,849,213 as of 2015, making it the second-
most populous metropolitan area of the nation, after Metro Manila in Luzon. Cebu
is the country's oldest city; it was the first Spanish settlement, and the first capital of
the Philippines. It is the "Second City" of the Philippines after Manila. The city is
14
considered the birthplace of Christianity in the Far East.

Figure 46 Macro Scale Map

Cebu is bounded on the north by the town of Balamban and the city of

Danao, on the west by the city of Toledo, on the east by the cities of Lapu-Lapu and
Mandaue and the towns of Liloan, Consolacion and Compostela, and on the south
by the city of Talisay. Cebu City has a land area of 315 square kilometres (122 sq mi).
To the northeast of the city is Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion; to the
west is Toledo City and the towns of Balamban and Asturias; to the south is Talisay

13
Wikipedia.org/Cebu City
14
Size-explorer.com
 City and the town of Minglanilla. Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan island
where Lapu-Lapu is located. Further east across the Cebu Strait is the island of
Bohol.15

Mandaue City

Cebu City

Mactan City

Figure 47 Map of Immediate Neighborhood

c. Topography

Cebu is characterized by narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, coastal

plains but with predominant rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges traversing the
northern and southern lengths of the island. Although Cebu's steep mountains
reach over 1,000 meters, the island lacks substantial forest cover. In the towns of
Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin and Daan Bantayan at the northern tip of the province,
considerable flat tracts of land are found. 16

Figure 48 Topographic Map

2. Micro Scale
15
Wikipedia.org/Cebu City
16
Stellar Estates-Richard Batiquin Blog
a. Location, Site Description, Immediate Neighborhood

LOT b

LOT A

Figure 49 Top View of the Site (Ayala Road, Cebu City)

The Site is located within the district of Cebu Business Park along Ayala
Road. Site A: a 3.375 sq. m regular lot and Site B: a 4,216 sq. m irregular lot along
Ayala Road, Cebu City. The lot has a slope of 2% towards a 24-meter Road Right-of-
Way (RROW). Site A has a frontage of 45 m, while Site B of 72 m. These two sites are
linked. On the west is the PNP development complex along the Sorsogon Road. On
the South is a 15-storey office. In front of the site is a spacious district park. The
view of the city skyline can be seen in the Northeast.

LOT b LOT A

Figure 50 Humans Eye View from Negros Road

 Msy
2quad tower
bldg.. park

LOT b
LOT A
PNP Dev.
Complex
park

Figure 51 Birds Eye View of the site and its immediate neighboring establishments

Figure 52 Immediate Right Establishments beside Lot A

A picture of commercial spaces adjacent to the Lot A and Ayala Road

intersecting from Gorordo Ave. captured on the Ayala Road intersecting from Luzon
Ave. Samar Loop.

Figure 53 Park in front of Lot A

 Figure 54 PNP Development Complex (Camp Sotero Cabahug) beside Lot A

A picture of the main entrance gate of the Philippine National Police

Development Complex-Camp Sotero Cabahug, Cebu City taken along the road of
Gorordo Avenue.

Figure 55 Immediate Left Establishment beside Lot B (2Quad Building)

Figure 56 Immediate Rear Establishment of Lot A (MSY Tower)

b. Existing Site Condition

 Site A has several existing trees and no existing structure. An electric post is
located at the frontage of the site.

Figure 57 Left Corner View of Site A

Figure 58 Right Corner View of Site A

Site B has many existing trees and a ruin of the former structure at the small
portion of the site. A dry pipe is located at the frontage of the site. Several trees are
located at the middle of the site cutting the site into half.

Figure 59 Right Corner View of Site B

The left road is the Ayala Road going to Luzon Avenue Samar Loop from the
main road right of way, Gorordo Avenue while the right road is the Negros by-pass
road bisecting the Sumilion road going to the Sorsogon road.
Figure 60 Left Corner View of Site B

The left road is the Sumilion by-pass road going to Sorsogon road while the
right road is the Ayala Road going to the main road right of way, Gorordo Avenue
from the Luzon Avenue Samar Loop.

Figure 61 Left Side View of Site B

Figure 62 Ayala Road, Major RROW of the site

 Ayala Road intersecting to Gorordo Avenue from Luzon Avenue Samar Loop
with separated by a landscape with palm trees.

Chapter 4

Design Recommendations

I. Concept Board
II. Architectural Solutions
A. Solar Windows

Solar Window is a novel technology for generating sustainable electricity by

collecting light energy from the sun and artificial sources. The technology generates
electrical energy when the electricity-generating coating is applied to glass and plastic
surfaces. Solar Window could potentially be used on any of the more than 85 million
commercial and residential buildings in the United States alone. Solar Window technology is
the subject a patent-pending technology. Solar Window coatings utilize an organic
photovoltaic (OPV) solar array composed of ultra-small solar cells, fabricated using mostly
hydrogen-carbon based substances.

OPV cells are a third-generation solar technology that convert light energy into
electricity by the photovoltaic effect. When interconnected in a grid-like arrangement, an
array of these OPV cells increase the voltage potential and electrical current in a given area.
 The Company has developed a proprietary OPV solar coating to generate electricity on glass
and flexible plastics, while remaining see-through. 17 Solar windows are available as separate
units or are created by applying a photovoltaic film onto window glass. Some manufacturers
create independent solar windows by sandwiching existing solar panel cells between two
layers of glass. Although the solar cells are visible, the human eye skips over the cells when
looking out the window.

Other independent window units are made from photovoltaic glass. “Invisible
wires” collect the energy made from the photovoltaic glass and transfer it to the energy
grid. These panels work by using thin-film technology to apply a very lean coating of the
photovoltaic onto a conductive glass layer. Photovoltaic films allow building owners to
modify their existing windows installing a film on the inside surface of the glass. The film is
made from mostly organic materials, such as carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, that
are applied in liquid form to a stabilizing layer.

The visual impact and space requirements of solar panels have prevented large-
scale adoption. Solar windows can replace existing windows and can help building owners
achieve partial independence from the energy grid. Dense urban areas could benefit from
this technology because of the large vertical window space and the lack of rooftops for solar
panels. Solar windows could also help offset peak energy demands.

Photovoltaic films have even more advantages. Contractors can apply these films to
existing windows, so there’s less waste involved in upgrading to solar windows. Photovoltaic
films are also lightweight, which means there’s less embodied energy required for their
manufacture and transport. Researchers also believe they will be able to offer a 25-year
warranty, which is similar to the current coverage on solar panels. 18 These solar windows are
made up of solar cell or photovoltaic cell.

17
Solar Window Technologies Inc.
18
Gocamsolar.com/blog
 A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that converts the energy
of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, which is a physical and chemical
phenomenon. It is a form of photoelectric cell, defined as a device whose electrical
characteristics, such as current, voltage, or resistance, vary when exposed to light. Individual
solar cell devices can be combined to form modules, otherwise known as solar panels. The
common single junction silicon solar cell can produce a maximum open-circuit voltage of
approximately 0.5 to 0.6 volts. 19

Solar cells are described as being photovoltaic, irrespective of whether the source

is sunlight or an artificial light. In addition to producing energy, they can be used as
a photodetector (for example infrared detectors), detecting light or other electromagnetic
radiation near the visible range, or measuring light intensity. The operation of a photovoltaic
(PV) cell requires three basic attributes:

 The absorption of light, generating either electron-hole pairs or excitons.

 The separation of charge carriers of opposite types.

 The separate extraction of those carriers to an external circuit.

In contrast, a solar thermal

collector supplies heat by absorbing sunlight,
for the purpose of either direct heating or
indirect electrical power generation from
heat. A "photo electrolytic cell"
(photoelectrochemical cell), on the other
hand, refers either to a type of photovoltaic
cell (like that developed by Edmond
Becquerel and modern dye-sensitized solar
cells), or to a device that splits water directly
into hydrogen and oxygen using only solar
illumination.20 However, developing
technology has significant advantages over
existing technology in example the Thin
Silicon PV Elements. Components of Solid
Dye-sensitized Solar Cells are produced at
ambient conditions without special
measures for purity, thus drastically reducing the cost of production.

Solid Dye-sensitized Solar Cells are transparent and can be used as “photovoltaic
windows”, for example, the southern side of buildings, or as monitor devices. This
technology is not available in mass production today and is the focus of our company.

19
Wikipedia.org/Solar Cell
20
nasa.fandom.com/wiki/Solar cell
Depending on the used photosensitive dye, we can give the window a varied hue, thus
an aesthetic effect chosen by the end user or building architect.

Works with diffuse radiation that can hit the window from any direction, from
either side. This property is not available by any type of PV panels from any
manufacturer today.

4. Advantages of Solar Energy

• Nearly Everyone can adopt directly

Solar energy holds many significant advantages over other alternative

energy sources in that individuals can invest in their own power generation. While
there is an initial capital investment, those costs are dropping dramatically. And with
major advances in home-based energy storage, the benefits of solar energy are
increasing, and the advantages of solar energy are becoming more and more
obvious year after year.

There are many forms of alternative energy production: bioenergy and

fuels, geothermal energy, hydroelectricity, and wind energy. All of them are
“green,” and all of them are capital- and technology-intensive. In most cases, they
are developed as large-scale utilities by governments or large corporations.
Ranchers and farmers can invest in windmills for power (mostly to drive water
pumps in wells), but none of these can serve the residential market (homeowners or
apartment dwellers). Only solar power offers individuals affordable access through
either the installation of home solar units or through a contract with a commercial
solar power provider.

There are many uses of solar energy in our daily life, as there is also  a huge
variety of solar-powered consumer products available to easily adopt solar energy
and greener life. These include portable solar panels, solar-powered chargers,
and solar lights. Plus, new ones are coming to the market every day. Therefore,
among various solar energy advantages, the principal one is that nearly everyone
can adopt directly. Moreover, besides conventional solar cells, other technologies
like perovskite solar cells and solar photovoltaic (PV) glass are offering brighter
hopes. Though still in an early stage of ongoing research or with limited commercial
availability, they are constantly improving and maturing.

With solar photovoltaic (PV) glass, your windows can help power your home
and still offer that panoramic view! Those applications will continue to grow as
builders incorporate PV glass into homes, office buildings, and high-rise towers. All a
building has to do is present one face to the sun—and all of them do.

• Fulfill your social responsibility to reduce carbon emissions

 Even though some people prefer not to see it, most people in the U.S. and
around the world understand climate change and the need to cut our carbon
emissions. It’s not really about policies or regulations. People WANT to make a
difference, and even the major power industries have begun to embrace greener
living. Every year, more people want to fulfill their responsibility and meet the
challenges laid out in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13.
The goals aren’t so very complicated, and there is a lot that ordinary people can do.

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern

energy for all. It’s true that billions of people still need to burn wood, coal, or even
animal dung for heat and cooking, but here in the developed world, we can choose
to reduce our own carbon footprint. We can choose to invest in solar homes and,
for some, solar-powered businesses. If we can’t install solar panels for the home, we
can select regional solar power providers and use the wide variety of solar panel
kits, solar-powered lights and electrical chargers that are available today.

Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Climate change is impacting the whole world. The impact is global, and every nation
and all people are affected. Climate change doesn’t recognize borders, and no
country is immune. It is absolutely critical that the guidelines of the Paris Agreement
be followed in every possible way. The agreement sets practical and attainable goals
for the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Even when a national government refuses to honor the agreement, many

states and cities do! In the U.S., 17 states including New York, California, most of
New England, and the Mid-Atlantic States, among others, along with dozens of U.S.
cities and corporations, will remain in compliance with the Paris Agreement and its
goals. All of us can use our power to tell the governments of our cities and states to
do that, too.

• Help cut electricity bill and save money

The third advantage of solar energy is that installing solar power panels
makes you a producer and reduces the electricity you get from your local utility.
That, of course, reduces your electricity bill, but there’s a lot more than that. Solar
 panel installations are a two-way affair. When the owner generates more power
than they use, in-home energy storage units get charged. And today, they come
with programmable control units to hold their electricity and sell the excess back to
your local utility during peak demand hours when the prices are highest.

For all the concern about high energy costs, few people actually take the
time to understand their power bill. You don’t just get billed at one average rate.
Power companies charge more for power during peak demand hours (generally
during the day), and they charge less per kilowatt-hour at night when demand is
lowest. Modern control panels assure that homes and businesses rely on their self-
generated solar power when demand is the highest to either reduce and sometimes
eliminate the power drawn from your utility—and that’s when they sell the power,
too. When demand is lower (after dark), homes depend on the utilities when it’s
cheapest. If there is power remaining in storage, that gets used to reduce even
those costs.

Few home-based solar power units generate enough power to entirely

eliminate the power people buy from their utilities, but it does happen for those
who invest in bigger arrays. The average solar unit in the U.S. is about 5–6 KWs. How
much you will save depends on how big your array is, the capacity of your storage
system, and the seasons—and, of course, where you live and the sunlight available
to you.

• Enhance the resiliency and reliability of the electric supply

This solar energy advantage means that when heavy snows and winds bring
down power lines or a lightning strike takes out power poles and transformers, solar
owners will still be generating their own power. Those solar panels on your roof
provide resiliency against the elements. It doesn’t take a superstorm to knock out
the electricity. We have an aging power grid, and many above-ground lines have
been there for a quarter of a century, and in some places, those lines can be 40
years old or more. Increasing capacity is a big expense that many utilities don’t want
to pay, while upgrades to support new development and power needs often get put
on hold.
 During the hot summer months (and those summers are getting hotter),
“brownouts” occur with increasing frequency. One exciting point of solar energy
advantages is that solar power owners can rely on their solar panels and storage
systems to see them through when their neighbors have gone dark.

• Long-time warranty and low maintenance costs

Many people take a look at those “glass panels” on the roofs and envision
shattered glass, hazards, and huge repair bills. These hardly happen. Solar cells may
be relatively fragile, but they are protected under shatter-proof tempered glass with
a flexible substrate protecting the cells. Even hail storms hardly cause anything more
than minor damage. Today, mounting systems are engineered to withstand major
storms, and they’re customized by manufacturers to the climate conditions in
different parts of the country. Manufacturers design, test, and certify their panels to
withstand winds of 140 miles per hour. A category 5 hurricane has winds above 136
mph. It’s a good bet the solar panels for your home will survive all but the very
worst storms. Most manufacturers provide a 25-year warranty for their panels, and
installers carry insurance on their work.

There are maintenance costs, cleaning and such, and each manufacturer
provides detailed instruction on the care of their particular units and wiring. You
should look at all that, and often, the installation firms offer service agreements.
New technologies are entering the market, allowing people to monitor the
performance of their solar technology along with their home appliances. Living on
Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring services, 5G network, and new control systems
offer the chance to fine-tune a home or business to gain the largest rate reductions
and credits from their local utility. Efficiency is the name of the game, and soon,
homeowners will do the tuning through a mobile app. 21

B. Green Roofing

A good example of an innovative technique is the use of green roofing. A green

roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with
vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also

21
Solar Magazine/Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages Vs. Other Renewables
 include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.
Vegetation, soil, drainage layer, roof barrier and irrigation system constitute green roof.

Green roofs serve several purposes for a building, such as absorbing rainwater,
providing insulation, creating a habitat for wildlife, increasing benevolence and decreasing
stress of the people around the roof by providing a more aesthetically pleasing landscape,
and helping to lower urban air temperatures and mitigate the heat island effect. Green
roofs are suitable for retrofit or redevelopment projects as well as new buildings and can
be installed on small garages or larger industrial, commercial and municipal buildings. They
effectively utilize the natural functions of plants to filter water and treat air in urban and
suburban landscapes. This kind of innovation is very much beneficial in different ways. 22

• Environmental Benefits

Thermal reduction and energy conservation. Green roofs improve and reduce
energy consumption. They can reduce heating by adding mass and thermal resistance
value, also can reduce the heat island by increasing evapotranspiration. A 2005 study
by Brad Bass of the University of Toronto showed that green roofs can also reduce heat
loss and energy consumption in winter conditions. A green roof reduces cooling (by
evaporative cooling) loads on a building by fifty to ninety percent, especially if it is
glassed-in so as to act as a terrarium and passive solar heat reservoir. A concentration
of green roofs in an urban area can even reduce the city's average temperatures during
23
the summer, combating the urban heat island effect.

22
Wikipedia.org/Green Roof
23
Wikipedia.org/Green Roof/Environmental Benefits
 • Water Management

Green roofs can reduce stormwater runoff via water-wise gardening

techniques. Green roofs play significant role in retrofitting the Low Impact
Development (LID) practices in urban areas. A study presented at the Green Roofs for
Healthy Cities Conference in June 2004, cited by the EPA, found water runoff was
reduced by over 75% during rainstorms. See the PDF at for more information. Water is
stored by the roof's substrate and then taken up by the plants, from which it is
returned to the atmosphere through transpiration and evaporation. Green roofs
decrease the total amount of runoff and slow the rate of runoff from the roof. It has
been found that they can retain up to 75% of rainwater, gradually releasing it back into
the atmosphere via condensation and transpiration, while retaining pollutants in their
soil.

Many green roofs are installed to comply with local regulations and
government fees, often regarding stormwater runoff management. In areas with
combined sewer-stormwater systems, heavy storms can overload the wastewater
system and cause it to flood, dumping raw sewage into the local waterways. Often,
phosphorus and nitrogen are in this category of environmentally harmful substances
even though they are stimulating to the growth of plant life and agriculture. When
these substances are added to a system, it can create mass biological activity since
they are considered limiting factors of plant growth and by adding more of them to a
system, it allows for more plant growth.

Roof drain green roof drainage and water storage layer is comprised of a HDPE
core laminated to a geotextile filter. It is suitable for use on horizontal and sloping
green roof surfaces. The core acts as a water reservoir, holding 4.5-5.5 liters of water
per square meter that can then be released slowly, used as grey water or used as
irrigation for the vegetation mat. The core is perforated to allow excess rainwater to
flow into the underside and away to drainage outlets. The upper geotextile prevents
any fine particles from the substrate blocking the drainage layer. A zero-breakthrough
head prevents over-saturation of the substrate. The lower textile is a fleece layer that
protects the waterproof membrane and acts as an extra moisture retentive layer. It
can hold an additional 1.0 liters per square meter to further enhance the storm water
attenuation benefits of the system. 24
24
Wikipedia.org/Green Roof/Water Management
 • Ecological Benefits

Green roofs create natural habitat as part of an urban wilderness. Even in high-
rise urban settings as tall as 19 stories, it has been found that green roofs can attract
beneficial insects, birds, bees and butterflies. A recent list of the bee species recorded
from green roofs (worldwide) highlights both the diversity of species, but also the
(expected) bias towards small ground-nesting species (Hofmann and Renner, 2017).
Rooftop greenery complements wild areas by providing stepping stones for songbirds,
migratory birds and other wildlife facing shortages of natural habitat. Green roofs also
serve as a green wall, filtering pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air, helping to
lower rates of diseases such as asthma. They can also filter pollutants and heavy metals
out of rainwater.25

• Economic Benefits

A properly designed and installed extensive green-roof system can cost $108–
248/m2 ($10–23/ft2) while an intensive green roof costs $355–2368/m2 ($33– 220/ft2)
however, since most of the materials used to build the green roof can be salvaged it is
estimated that the cost of replacing a green roof is generally one third of the initial
installation costs. With the initial cost of installing a green roof in mind, there are many
financial benefits that accompany green roofing. Reduction in energy use is an
important property of green roofing. By improving the thermal performance of a roof,
green roofing allows buildings to better retain their heat during the cooler winter
months while reflecting and absorbing solar radiation during the hotter summer
months, allowing buildings to remain cooler.

A study conducted by Environment Canada found a 26% reduction in summer

cooling needs and a 26% reduction in winter heat losses when a green roof is used.
With respect to hotter summer weather, green roofing is able to reduce the solar
heating of a building by reflecting 27% of solar radiation, absorbing 60% by the
vegetation through photosynthesis and evapotranspiration, and absorbing the
remaining 13% into the growing medium. Such mitigation of solar radiation has been
found to reduce building temperatures by up to 20 °C and reduce energy needs for air-
conditioning by 25% to 80%. This reduction in energy required to cool a building in the
summer is accompanied by a reduction in energy required to heat a building in the
winter, thus reducing the energy requirements of the building year-round which allows
the building temperature to be controlled at a lower cost.

An additional environmental benefit of greens roofs is the ability to sequester

carbon. Carbon is the main component of plant matter and is naturally absorbed by
plant tissue. The carbon is stored in the plant tissue and the soil substrate through
plant litter and root exudates. However, this kind of green and sustainable solution

25
Wikipedia.org/Green Roof/Ecological Benefits
 have its disadvantage. The main disadvantage of green roofs is that the initial cost of
installing a green roof can be double that of a normal roof. Depending on what kind of
green roof it is, the maintenance costs could be higher, but some types of green roof
have little or no ongoing cost. Some kinds of green roofs also place higher demands on
the waterproofing system of the structure, both because water is retained on the roof
and due to the possibility of roots penetrating the waterproof membrane.

Another disadvantage is that the wildlife they attract may include pest insects
which could easily infiltrate a residential building through open windows. Green roofs
require significantly more maintenance and maintenance energy compared to a
standard roof. Standard maintenance includes removing debris, controlling weeds,
deadhead trimming, checking moisture levels, and fertilizing. The maintenance energy
use for green roofs has many variables including: climate, intensity of rainfall, type of
building, type of vegetation, and external coatings. The most significant effect comes
from scarce rainfall which will increase the maintenance energy due to the watering
required. 26

C. Glow in the dark Pavement

Bicycle enthusiasts will love this glow in the dark bicycle trail which glistens in a
mesmeric blue color at night. This unique bicycle path is in the rural town of Lidzbark
Warminski. Charged by solar power throughout the day, the bicycle path is a new
addition to an existing a larger recreation path that leads up to Wielochowskie Lake.
This trail which looks like a path from a fairy tale is built by the European engineering
company TPA sp. z o.o, whose goal is to help prevent bicycle and pedestrian accidents.
The path contains synthetic particles called luminophores which absorb energy from the
sun and then release that energy at night by emitting light for up to 10 hours. 27 No other
source of energy is required. And that is precisely what makes this novelty stand out vis-
à-vis others.

A luminophore is an atom or functional group in a chemical compound that is

responsible for its luminescent properties. Luminophores can be either organic or
inorganic. Luminophores can be further classified as fluorophores or phosphors,

26
Wikipedia.org/Green Roof/Costs and Financial Benefits
27
Theinfo.me/Glow in the dark bicycle path
 depending on the nature of the excited state responsible for the emission of photons.28
The asphalt surface of the cycle path comprises a chemical compound containing
luminophores. In simple terms, the substance absorbs the electromagnetic radiation in
the visible, ultraviolet or infrared ranges and emits the accumulated energy in the form
of light after dark. In the case of the cycle path, the luminescent particles are blue: they
are charged by the sun, a powerful source of energy, during the day and emit soft blue
light for up to ten hours after the sun goes down. This process is repeated on a daily
basis.

The current test phase will serve to gather data on the response of the surface
material to atmospheric variables and daily use in order to verify the design brief, and
continue to improve the technology, reduce production costs, and possibly find new
uses for it. TPA’s President Igor Ruttmar explains; “The material we used for the track
gives light for over ten hours. That means the road can radiate throughout the whole
night and re-accumulate light the following day.” Apart from being incredibly beautiful,
the path also serves a larger purpose of keeping bicyclists and pedestrians safe at night.
Since it is charging solely on solar power, the path is highly eco-friendly.

The developers have a multitude of other ideas as to how the material could be
used, emphasizing that the technology is designed for application in "dark places" but
may not be able to guarantee that the light emitted at night will remain at the same
intensity. And nature is heavily involved in all this. Even if blue light can be disturbing for
flora and fauna – the bright alternative in the form of spotlights or classic road lighting
definitely is. Right now, the pilot project has become something of an attraction for
people who want to see the mystic blue glow of the bike path with their own eyes.
Compared with standard bike lighting in the form of dynamos, LEDs, reflectors or bike
helmets with light, this idea does appear to be extremely effective and pretty clever too.
Revolutionizing "soft mobility" and making it a whole lot safer in future. 29

This material and technique can also be used on pavements for aesthetic
purposes to create a calm and relaxing ambiance to a place. This technique mixing
luminophore to asphalt innovates the traditional plain pavements. It illuminates the
pathways or the pavements not needing a lot of lighting fixtures from the surrounding

28
Wikipedia.org/Luminophore
29
Prof. Dr. Magdalena Anita Zilinski-Dorenscheit, Professional Lighting Design
 areas. This alone can illuminate the pavements thus encouraging more people to walk
and to visit the place.

D. Permeable Pavements

Permeable pavers, also known as permeable interlocking concrete

pavements (PICP), are installed with layers of varying-sized stone or aggregate
underneath that filter and direct stormwater to underground aquifers. Belgard
permeable pavers mimic the way natural land absorbs water. With permeable
concrete pavers, any rain that falls on your patio, walkway or driveway seeps back
into the ground, reducing the burden on storm drains. A permeable paver system
can even be designed to harvest and recycle rainwater.

Unlike traditional impervious paving materials, permeable paving systems

allow stormwater to percolate and infiltrate through the pavement and into the
aggregate layers and/or soil below. In addition to reducing surface runoff, permeable
paving systems can trap suspended solids, thereby filtering pollutants from
stormwater. The goal is to control stormwater at the source, reduce runoff and improve
water quality by filtering pollutants in the subsurface layers.

Permeable pavement surfaces are made of either a porous material that

enables stormwater to flow through it or nonporous blocks spaced so that water can
flow between the gaps. Stormwater flows into and is stored in an underlying stone
reservoir. Permeable pavement is commonly used on roads, paths and parking
lots subject to light vehicular traffic, such as cycle-paths, service or emergency access
lanes, road and airport shoulders, and residential sidewalks and driveways.

Permeable solutions can be based on: porous asphalt and concrete surfaces,
concrete pavers (permeable interlocking concrete paving systems – PICP), or polymer-
based grass pavers, grids and geocells. Porous pavements and concrete pavers (actually
the voids in-between them) enable stormwater to drain through a stone base layer for
on-site infiltration and filtering. Polymer based grass grid or cellular paver systems
provide load bearing reinforcement for unpaved surfaces of gravel or turf.
 Grass pavers, plastic turf reinforcing grids (PTRG), and geocells (cellular
confinement systems) are honeycombed 3D grid-cellular systems, made of thin-
walled HDPE plastic or other polymer alloys. These provide grass reinforcement, ground
stabilization and gravel retention. The 3D structure reinforces infill and transfers vertical
loads from the surface, distributing them over a wider area. Selection of the type of
cellular grid depends to an extent on the surface material, traffic and loads.

The cellular grids are installed on a prepared base layer of open-graded stone
(higher void spacing) or engineered stone (stronger). The surface layer may be
compacted gravel or topsoil seeded with grass and fertilizer. In addition to load support,
the cellular grid reduces compaction of the soil to maintain permeability, while the roots
improve permeability due to their root channels.
 Benefits of Permeable Pavers for Homeowners

• Reduce water demand by placing pavers over grassed areas or harvesting and
recycling water

• Reduce erosion where vegetation is dry or doesn’t grow

• Eliminate standing water here mosquitos can breed and algae or mold can grow

• Eliminate risk of evaporation of standing water and above-ground water storage

• Permeable pavers for driveways can eliminate water accumulation and reduce
ice accumulation to improve vehicular safety

Benefits of Permeable Pavers for the Community

• Infiltrate water back into the ground to recharge local groundwater supplies

• Maintain base flows in waterways to ensure ecosystems are self-sustaining

• Act as filter to improve local water quality

• Eliminate risk of evaporation of standing water and above-ground water storage

• Light paver colors are highly reflective and reduce heat island effect

• Reduce water use for landscaping

Benefits of Permeable Pavers for Builders

• Contribute to environmental and stormwater management best practices,

including LEED credits

• Lead to cost savings by vastly reducing or even eliminating storm water

infrastructure components like pipes, detention basins and storm drains

• Subsurface water storage creates increased surface space on which to develop

roads, driveways, parking areas, public spaces, houses and other revenue-
generating structures

E. Automated Parking System

An Automated Parking System or APS is a mechanical system that automatically

moves cars from the car park entry to an available parking space. It uses multiple levels
and stacks cars vertically to use the least square footage possible in order to park as
many cars as possible. The earliest use of an APS was in Paris, France in 1905 at the
Garage Rue de Ponthieu. The APS consisted of a multi-story concrete structure with an
internal elevator to transport cars to upper levels where attendants parked the cars. APS
has come a long way since then, and the terminology used to describe such systems
includes:
  Mechanical Parking System

 Robotic Parking System

 Rotary Parking System

 Automatic Parking

 Stacker Parking

Automatic parking systems are uniquely space efficient. The cars are stacked
into snug compartments using a robotic arm, platforms or lift systems and due to the
absence of passengers the parking space doesn’t have to be as wide as in a conventional
parking lot. There’s no need for ramps, pedestrian footpaths, staircases or walkways.
Fully Automated Parking Systems offer quite simply a robotic form of valet parking. The
car is driven into a transfer area, and then all passengers exit the vehicle. A ticket is
issued to the driver and the car is whisked away into the parking space by varied
combinations of a turntable, robotic arm, platforms or lifts. The car is automatically
retrieved using the ticket and upon return is placed facing the exit for effective and
efficient departure.

Advantages of Automated Parking System

1. Advantages for customers:

 No need to search for available parking spaces

 No need to walk through the parking garage

 Time saving

 Provides a consistent parking experience

 Your car is parked safe and secure (no worry about theft / damage)

 Dings and scrapes to cars are eliminated

2. Advantages for municipalities/ property owners:

 Space efficiency
  Environmentally friendly

 Visual impact minimized

 Increases public safety

 No people inside means no litter / fights / accidents / etc.

 No pedestrian signage, lighting, walkways required

 Handicap access is improved

 No internal ventilation system required

 Staff costs are massively reduced

 Shorter construction time

Automatic Parking Systems are most definitely the way of the future for car
parks located in high density areas. We’re looking forward to witnessing innovative
jumps from Business members such as Otto Wöhr, Serva and Skyline Parking in the
application of not only mechanical but also wireless and smart technology in the field
of Automatic Parking Systems, onwards and upwards.

F. Key Card Access Control System

Controlling access to your building is one of the most critical components to

commercial security today. Surveillance cameras will only get you so far – at some point,
you’ll need an access control system to lock and unlock your doors when your
employees need to get in and out. When deciding on your readers and credentials,
you’ll have to consider everything from biometric fingerprint scanners to key fobs to
smartphone apps. Something to keep in mind is that while a key card system might not
be as flashy or as cool as other credentials, they’re still the workhorse of commercial
access control.
All door access control systems work in a similar way. Credentials are presented
to a reader, which sends the data to a controller for authentication. If the credentials
match a set stored on the system’s whitelist, the controller unlocks the door and
generally sends a signal to the reader, too. Credentials can vary, but key cards are easily
the most common because they’re cheap to manufacture, easy to secure, simple to
program, and easy to manage. Most key cards are made of thin, flexible plastic with the
chips and/or magnets embedded in them, making them somewhat fragile. If you’re
worried about employees damaging their credentials, you might want to use heavy-duty
cards or plastic cases to prevent them from bending.
Keycards have many different names. There are prox cards, swipe cards, and
fobs; you may have also heard of magnetic cards, RFID/NFC cards, and even simple ID
cards. Despite their different names and the fact that the technology used varies, their
function is always the same: To efficiently and securely grant or restrict access to a
certain area. A keycard is a security token that grants you access through electrically-
powered doors. These systems require a keycard reader (installed on the door) and you
gain access by either tapping your card on the reader (proximity reader), swiping it
(swipe reader), or inserting it (insert reader).
With keycards, users no longer need to insert a metal or traditional key into a
tumbler lock to gain access. Instead, there is an embedded access credential on the
keycard magstripe, or as a chip in the card itself, and this is read by the keycard reader
each time you attempt an unlock. If the unique code on your card is recognized by the
reader, permission is granted for access.
1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Keycard Entry System

Given the disadvantages of keycard entry systems, it's imperative to

identify better alternatives that can address these disadvantages. An attractive
option would be mobile access control. This means using the credentials on your
mobile phone to unlock doors.
 Kisi is a cloud-based mobile access control system. This means that, in
addition to keycards, users can unlock doors with their cellphones. By using the
RFID and Bluetooth chips inside the phone, you can use your phone as you
would an access card and tap it to the reader to unlock it. Moreover, as a cloud-
based solution, the management or admins will be able to reap the benefits of
having a cloud-based system (as opposed to a traditional local-hosted system).
Kisi hosts all the data and offers interesting data analytics and observations. Kisi
is a better alternative to commercial smart locks because access can be managed
from anywhere. While the Kevo, Salto, August, and Schlage smart locks are all
intended for residential use, Kisi is a commercial remote door lock control
system intended for office and large-scale use. Below is a head-to-head
comparison between WiFi smart door locks and Kisi's keyless solution.

1. RFID & NFC Keycards

RFID cards are most widely used in commercial office spaces. These cards
(sometimes referred to as 'tags' or 'fobs') can be classified by the range they
communicate (low, high or ultra-high) and the way the communication happens
with the reader (active or passive). RFID stands for “radio frequency
identification,” and that’s the essential technology behind them. They emit
identification information in the radio frequency range and the reader will pick
up those signals and authenticate them. As for NFC, that is a set of standards
over RFID technology. NFC cards, meaning “near-field communication” cards, are
RFID cards that operate over a specific frequency and have a clever bit of
engineering that allows them to communicate quickly and securely over short
distances.

Each keycard system comes with a key encoding machine, which will
configure the permissions granted to your card. The system should allow you to
grant permissions for multiple doors, configure date and time for access, and
even the number of times a user can access the space. All these details are built
into a very complicated algorithm, which is written into your keycard’s
magstripe. This magstripe contains thousands of tiny magnetic bars, each can be
polarized either north or south. Polarizing these magnets creates a sequence
that is encoded on your card. There are other ways to encode a keycard, but
those are usually used for corporate spaces. These include newer models that
have radio-frequency identification (RFID), or “smart cards,” which contain an
embedded micro-controller to handle security. RFID keycards will be covered
below.
Your RFID reader can operate on different frequency ranges:

• Low Frequency (LF) RFID operates around 30 KHz to 300 KHz and has a
maximum range of 10cm. Your conventional office access card usually
utilizes LF range. Prox keys are generally at 125kHz.
• High Frequency (HF) RFID operates around 3 MHz to 30 MHz and provide
distances between 10cm and 1 meter. Examples of access cards that use HF
RFID are NFC cards, which includes smart cards like MIFARE. NFC cards are a
subset of high frequency RFID cards. All NFC cards operate at exactly 13.56
MHz, and this uniformity of communication allows NFC card manufacturers
to make the communication more secure and more efficient
• Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID ranges between 300 MHz and 3 GHz and
reads up to 12 meters. They are typically used for parking solutions or
similar wide-range applications

Now that we covered the different types of RFID frequency, there is another
parameter to consider. RFID can be distinguished into two broad categories: Passive
or active tags (or cards).

• Active RFID tags have their own transmitter (and power source). Active RFID
tags are used for cargo, machine or vehicle tracking.
 • Passive RFID tags do not require a battery. The reader on the wall sends a
signal to the tag. That signal is used to power the tag and reflect the energy
back to the reader.

These proximity cards are low frequency 125kHz and fall under the
category of passive RFID cards, given that they have no means of getting power.

‍ How do RFID keycards work?

Passive cards have three components sealed in the plastic: An antenna

(mostly coil or wire), a capacitor and an integrated circuit (IC), which contains
the user’s ID number. The RFID reader on the wall has an antenna, which
continuously emits a short-range radio frequency (RF) field.

When you hold the card on the reader, the card absorbs the energy
from the RF field generated by the reader—the technical term is that it's an
induced current. This energy creates (induces) a current powering the
integrated circuit, which in turn makes the chip emit its ID number. The reader
sends the ID back to the server closet or IT room, where the main access  control
system panel usually resides. The sent ID signals that this user wants to unlock
the door. The format the reader communicates in is often the Wiegand
protocol.

G. Thermal Labyrinth Ventilation System

Ventilation is essential to maintaining a healthy indoor environment. However,

during the summer and winter seasons, the temperature of the outdoor air can be so
extreme that providing adequate ventilation requires a significant amount of energy.
Consequently, an energy-efficient ventilation system is important for minimizing energy
consumption. The thermal labyrinth is a ventilation system that pulls in outdoor air
through an underground labyrinth-shaped concrete structure that is part of the building
itself. Through heat exchange with the ground, this system can pre-cool and pre-heat
the outdoor air in the summer and winter seasons, respectively.

A thermal labyrinth system introduces the outdoor air in to a building through

a thermal labyrinth, which is a concrete structure installed underground, and uses the
 ground heat produced by heat transfer to ventilate the building. According to Song et
al. and Sohn et al., the thermal labyrinth system is easier to maintain and offers better
energy efficiency than the tube type systems, because it possesses a larger contact
area between the thermal labyrinth system and the outdoor air. Moreover, the
thermal labyrinth system does not require an additional space, because it is installed
underneath buildings.

References

 https://www.completecommunitiesde.org/planning/landuse/what-is-mixed-use-development/
University of Delaware
 https://creativecitysouth.org/blog-1/cebu-a-city-of-culture
CEBU: A CITY OF CULTURE March 29, 2017
 https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/eclectic-decor-134813
Eclectic Decor: Mixing Old and New Styles by CATRIN MORRIS published: DEC 14, 2010
 https://www.rugknots.com/blogs/home-inspiration-ideas-for-decor/6-beautiful-elements-eclectic-
interior-design
6 Beautiful Elements of Eclectic Interior Design Logan Funk Published on: January 18, 2019
 http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/sites/default/files/laws_codes_orders/PgbcBooklet23March.pdf
 https://asiasociety.org/philippines/it%E2%80%99s-more-fun-philippines-sinulog-festival-fever
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mandaluyong-city-philippines-by-archion-architects/
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development
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Journal of Building Engineering Volume 25, September 2019, 100758
Abdollah Baghaei Daemeia Seyed Rahman Eghbalib Elham Mehrinejad Khotbehsarac
 https://www.academia.edu/8245963/DESIGN_STANDARDS_AND_GUIDELINES_BONIFACIO_GLOBAL
_CITY_Big_Delta_and_Portion_of_North_Bonifacio?auto=download
DESIGN STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES Jan Nikolai Góngora
 https://photoniompong.com/2015/05/12/the-banderitas/
Published by Ompong
 http://www.larrabeesfurniture.com/inspiration-1/eclecticism-in-design
 Eclecticism in Design Larrabees Furniture and Design by Valerie O’Dowd, Senior Design Consultant
February 26, 2018
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RA 9514 Fire Code of the Philippines
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PD 1096 Implementing Rules and Regulations of National Building Code of the Philippines
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BP 344 Accessibility Law
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 https://business.inquirer.net/274574/the-challenge-of-vertical-cities
The challenge of vertical cities
By: Joel Luna (Joel Luna Planning and Design (JLPD) Principal) - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 03:09 AM July 13, 2019

 https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/first-solarpowered-apartment-skyscraper-to-rise-in-
melbourne-20160819-gqwv76.html
First solar-powered apartment skyscraper to rise in Melbourne By Simon Johanson and Marc Pallisco
Updated August 24, 2016 — 9.35amfirst published at 12.15am
 https://education.seattlepi.com/main-uses-solar-cells-3343.html
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 https://www.britesolar.com/technology/brite-solar-glass/
 https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/first-solarpowered-apartment-skyscraper-to-rise-in-
melbourne-20160819-gqwv76.html
 https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/06/skyscrapers-could-soon-generate-their-own-power-
thanks-see-through-solar-cells
 http://marketmonitor.com.ph/dpwh-issues-bridge-vertical-clearance-guidelines/
DPWH issues bridge vertical clearance guidelines March 20, 2016
 https://nasa.fandom.com/wiki/Solar_cell
 https://www.gocamsolar.com/blog/what-are-solar-windows
 https://www.solarwindow.com/
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 https://www.ibrokermo.com/Cebu/page_2048712.html
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebu_City
 https://www.size-explorer.com/en/compare/cities/cebucity/
 https://theinfo.me/poland-has-glow-in-the-dark-bicycle-path-that-is-charged-by-the-sun/?
fbclid=IwAR28H82Vl5MNMHL4Bbbg35qsRj9fyU4CxAZpr0oRWQWj2iWRd8RFJ62yWbM
October 12, 2019
 https://solarmagazine.com/solar-energy-advantages-and-disadvantages/
 https://www.getkisi.com/keycard-access-systems
 https://getsafeandsound.com/2018/05/keycard-entry-systems/
 https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Thermal_labyrinths
 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072432