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It is possible to build a green building. But what if the building is already there? How can it be converted to become a green building?
The answer is neither costly nor complicated, said Archt. Miguel Guerrero, a member of the United Architects of the Philippines-Green Architecture Movement (UAP-GAM)
?This is where greenovation comes along. Greenovation or retrofitting for energy efficiency shows how an existing building can be more energy efficient and a healthy place for its users,? said Guerrero.
Guerrero said the retrofitting process involve site assessment to determine wind direction among others.
The airconditioning system of the building would also be studied to determine which areas of the building required cooling units.
In his presentation at an architect's forum, Guerrero said a building would consume 50 percent of all energy produced and would use up 76 percent of all electricity produced.
?No wonder building owners and users complain about the high cost of utility bills and operating cost,? he said.
These costs cut down on the profit margins and consequently, threaten the viability and sustainability of the business,? he added.
ADVANTAGES
Guerrero said retrofitting means lower capital cost, time reduction in obtaining planning and building approval, shorter time for completion and opportunity for using more energy efficient resources.
While it is not widely known, Archt. Ma. Luisa Daya-Garcia said a green building also means healthy residents with more work productivity.
She said a building whose materials are not properly screened can create the ?sick-building syndrome.?
?It can be a cause of lung cancer because the air you breathe indoors is dangerous to your health. Inhaling the chemicals is bad. There are specific materials which are green and health,? she said.
Daya-Garcia said there is also a trend on construction waste management and using rapidly renewable materials.
She said getting local suppliers of these renewable materials would help both the business and the environment?shorter transportation time means lesser carbon emissions.
STANDARDS
Archt. Edgar Reformado, chairman of UAP-GAM, said members of the movement has adopted the principles of learning new concepts and knowledge; imparting to fellow architects and other people; and applying it in practice to spread the message of green building.
?The practice of green architecture promotes the well-being of the community and ultimately, its helps saves money, energy...the future,? he said.
Reformado said GAM organizes annual green seminars to raise awareness on the practice. The Green Seminar held this month at the SM City Cebu during the 17th Cebu Construction Show.
With the aid of L.A. Ducut and Company, Inc., he said, they will also conduct in-depth discussions on green design and building practices on September during the Manila Construction Show at the SMX Convention Center.
Meanwhile, Daya-Garcia said to be globally recognized as a green building, there are standards to be followed. More developed countries like the United State have developed their own standards to measure building's energy efficiency.
The US Green Building Council has come out with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.
Daya-Garcia said the Philippine is using this eco-standard and green label as a benchmark, while it also implements its own ?green seal? under the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development.
However, she said, the Berde Seal or the Philippine version of the green building rating system is yet to be launched.
The road towards raising awareness of more people on the economic and social benefits of green buildings may be quite long and to some, steep.
But to Archt. Guerrero, investing in green architecture is not anymore a question on whether a company can afford shelling out more money for initial cashout.
?The question one should ask..can we afford not to be green in the long term??
