Green Architecture for Filipinos

GREEN buildings do not necessarily cost more to build, and any higher first costs are usually removed through lower operating cost. While a piecemeal approach to sustainable design may increase total project costs, integrated design leads to decrease net cost, according to Harvard Business School in reference to the US Green Building Council.

Culturally, the “tingi-tingi” approach is well ingrained in Filipinos. Rarely around the world can one see anywhere else candy, cigarettes, and even cooking oil sold per piece or per part. The late national artists, Nick Joaquin, called it as the “heritage of smallness.” While this habit has its advantages in the short term, this piecemeal approach costs much more in the long run. Unfortunately, this habit is carried over even in the construction of our homes and buildings.