The Grass is Greener in Makati
We are fully aware that our world is far way different now compared to his early years. It awakens our senses; we can see it, smell it, hear it and feel it. It is so evident that our beloved earth is experiencing global warming. Therefore this must not be neglected and people should stop being oblivious about it. It is about time to make some actions and change more than just how we live.
Buildings are one of the largest users of energy, hence we must improve it for the benefit of the earth. It is not just a place where we work, play and rest; it is also where we invest most of our financial and natural capital. So for me, our workplaces should practice environmentally responsible and resource-efficient.
Our lesson for this week is Ecological architecture, and one word to simplify it is “efficiency”. It provides technologies or alternate power sources such as solar and wind power. It is adaptive reuse of older buildings and efficient use of space. For this activity we were told to choose and visit one structure that qualifies to eco, green and sustainable building.
The structure I chose is the Zuellig building. I asked my dad if he knows anything about it and he told me that it was certified by the LEED. My dad also encouraged me to visit it because he thinks it will be very helpful to me as an architecture student. The visitation went smoothly but of course I have to deal with the traffic (as always).
Zuellig building is a 33 storey office tower that has a height of 160 meters. The building is the first premium office tower in the Philippines to be erected since 2000. Moreover, it is the first building in Makati that has pre-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) at the LEED Gold level. How amazing is that! I wish we could build more Building like this because I think it is what we need. We need architecture that is modernize but will not add up in destroying our home.
The location could not be better. It is located at the intersection of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, which is a highly desirable location that is intended for future development. Seeing it for the first time was pretty overwhelming. It is so rare for me to walk around Makati so seeing it and having somewhat connection to the roads, sidewalks and this building is such a beautiful experience. A very ordinary thing I usually do but this one has a different feeling. I was a bit drawn to the activity that I want to actually feel the true essence of this.
Arriving there, my initial action is of course to take a picture of it for my blog. Looking for the right angle to capture made me noticed how lavishing the building is. Its straight sleek shape reaching for the sky made me feel so small and made me wonder what it feels like inside it. This massive structure left me in awe.This alluring building was designed by SOM whom designed iconic modern architecture, such as the Sears Tower (the tallest in the world for over 20 years) and Burj Khalifa (currently included to the world’s tallest buildings). It is indeed a marvellous architecture and made me feel hopeful. The building may not be as high as the previous designs made by the SOM but its features are in the state of art. The building has a double-paned, low-emissivity (low-E) glass system that minimizes solar heat gain and energy loss while maximizing the penetration of natural light that allows 90% of interior spaces to have daylight. The building gained its identity from the distinctive texture inspired by bamboo and flowing water. It supplements the shading capabilities of the building envelope. The building has 2,500 sq m private garden and driveway that is connected to the lobby. The Dining al fresco is placed at the open air green terraces on the second floor and at the thirty-second floor a sky garden was installed. I found out also that the building is installed of CO2 sensors, it modulate outside airflow depending on the density of the occupants to bring good air quality at all times. The water recycling and rainwater collection said to have saved 29 million liters of water annually. The building has a great drainage and irrigation system. They also have centralized paper facility that is available to all tenants.
I managed to go near the building and asked permission if I can go inside. Too bad I was not allowed to see the entire building, but I did see their lobby. I was also not allowed to take a picture of it around their area, so I had to walk away from their huge area and take a picture of it far from the actual location. The Zuellig building for me is an ideal structure that we should make more buildings that are sustainable and social responsible like it.
The second building for the second activity is the SM Aura. From the outside this building is very eye catching and modern. I like how fluid it is, the smooth curve from the hotel tower down to the mall area is new and you can see the attempt of breaking the typical SM malls architecture. It was designed by well-known architect Willy Coscuella and Miami-based Arquitectonica. The mall interiors is designed by Sydney-based EDGE Design.
The mall is located along C5 right beside the Market Market, near Serendra, walking distance from Bonifacio High Street and is between BGC and Mckinley Hall. It is not a commuter friendly but I personally like the location. We went in to the parking lot and entered the mall. The outside maybe a different version of SM but the inside is still identical to a typical SM malls. I have to be honest I did a little of window shopping and you know usual things you do when you are in the mall you walk around and spend time and money. I ate my lunch there and observed its interior and I felt this tingling sensation within me. Ah… it’s so Christmas! After frolicking around the mall I went up to their Sky Park. It is an al fresco dining area amid a garden and water features. Providing a green open space makes it a green architecture for me. I think it’s a brilliant idea of putting a landscape in or on a building. Malls nowadays are so closed and have limited windows that make you unaware of time and just spend your money (which I think is a smart strategy). The relationship of the people to its environment and other nature properties are blocked. Nothing can still beat eating outside being under the sun at day and stars at night, feeling the breeze and indulging it as it makes you more human. Going around the Sky Park is such a pleasing and relaxing experience.
I think this building has the potential and can be converted to ecological building. SM aura operates everyday hence it consumes a lot of energy. Making it an energy-efficient is relevant. I discovered that the materials used are green and non-toxic, that it aims to lessen the carbon footprint that contributes to the global warming. It has already the properties of a green architecture and maybe providing more technologies that can help in saving energy can make it one. Adding Alternate power such as solar panels or even wind power could be helpful. Water recycling and rainwater collection are big help also because having a huge mall means using a large amount of water.
Visiting these two structure shows that there is an increased awareness in the green movement. That architects now are not just considering the aesthetic and function but also the effects of their buildings to the nature. We now try to help to protect our earth and make use its nature’s gift. The Zuellig Building LEED certification inspired me to push environment-friendly and greener design. If we are really serious about protecting our environment and ultimately ourselves, then we must build eco, green and sustainable architecture. It is crucial now and making solutions like this is a big contribution in saving our world where we all live in.
