Advancing responsible architecture through sustainable development is my most treasured advocacy. Last October 10 to 11, 2024, I had the privilege to share this with housing industry leaders and professionals from across the country during the 32nd SHDA-DHSUD National Developers Convention, one of the most momentous gatherings in the real estate industry. The event, which was held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City, featured different discussions on the promising future of housing in Mindanao.
I am honored to have shared the stage with key figures in the field with whom I share the vision of providing transformative and progressive housing on the second-largest island in the Philippines. They included veteran journalist and sustainability advocate Ces Oreña-Drilon, Holcim Philippines Vice President Ram Maganti, Rhizome President and CEO Russell Smith, Maer Summit Properties, Inc. Director Rhoda Cua, and Swito Design Principal Architect Gloryrose Dy-Metilla. We exchanged views on fostering a greener direction in building tomorrow’s spaces and its impact on the environment as we counter the threats of climate change. The panel discussion was moderated by SHDA Governor Steven Tambunting and CUBO Modular CEO Zahra Zanjani.
Through my presentation titled “Certified Green: Sustainable Architecture Solutions,” I affirmed the importance of green practices in the field. From 2015 to 2030, the demand for housing in the low to mid-cost market is expected to rise to 12.3 million units, against the projected actual output of 2.7 million units. This study from the University of Asia and The Pacific and SHDA underscores that this demand gap of 9.6 million housing will likely be unmet.
As an Italian architect devoted to sustainability, I asserted to the conference’s attendees that going green in development is the wisest path to take, especially in emerging cities where developers can still play a key role in shaping the future of social and economic infrastructure. But how do we start taking charge of solving the current environmental issues at hand?
The first step is recognizing the gaps present in the situation. The rapid increase in the population of the country equates to a higher demand in housing. More people means more houses. It’s as simple as that. As cited by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the population of Metro Manila reached almost 15 million, constituting a huge proportion of the country’s whole populace and establishing it as a densely occupied area. This causes repercussions to the environment and to lifestyle, including mobility challenges, lack of jobs, work-induced family separation, and high cost of living.
At Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), we have always believed in the great potential of centers outside of Metro Manila, and our project locations are a testament to this. The sheer commercial dynamism and energy of these locations show that the Philippines is ready to be a multi-polar country, where there are several centers for employment, economic growth, and opportunity, and not just one or two. Out of the nine ongoing projects of the company, five are based in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), and the Moena Mountain Estate Residences, a mid-rise green housing complex located in Bukidnon, embodying the principles of IDC which caters to a varied market economy.
A decade ago, we had our beginnings in the Primavera Residences in Cagayan de Oro, a 10-storey twin-tower green mixed-used commercial and residential complex. Moving forward, we introduced another trailblazer in real estate – the Verona Green Residences at Uptown Phase 1. This mixed-use development features a low-rise setup with four storeys, exemplifying suitable building integration without compromising the environment by its eco-conscious facilities and materials.
This view is what we uphold in IDC. We acknowledge that the environment should not be a collateral for mankind’s resolution in seeking basic necessities such as housing. Looking back, my partner, Jojo Leviste, and I felt immense pride that our foresight was recognized with an award from the Private Financing Advisory Network dubbed “Most Promising Clean Energy Investment Opportunity” in 2013. Until today, this belief is etched in our practice.
This, along with all other IDC projects, employs passive and active green strategies that help residents save energy as much as 24.25 percent. Passive green strategy entails consideration of wind direction and stack effect ventilation, shading, and other design-based matters. Meanwhile, active green strategy refers to sustainability tactics such as rooftop solar panels. Water savings and carbon-embedded material savings are other advantages of living in green buildings. The aforementioned building is projected to conserve 39.36 percent in water and 23.75 percent in carbon-embedded materials. These combined efforts benefit all parties involved, especially the target market of low to middle income bracket.
The soon-to-rise Verona Green Residences at Gusa, which is also in Cagayan de Oro, again testifies to IDC’s design vision, where sustainability meets innovation and affordability. Another project in the pipeline is the forthcoming Firenze Residences, which offers a prime experience of a green high-rise building with varied designs and biophilic architecture.
After cementing our foundation in Northern Mindanao including CDO’s Primavera City, we expanded to Luzon with Miramonti Green Residences I in Santo Tomas, Batangas, and the Baia Verde Green Estate in Morong, Bataan.
The National Developers Convention showed that green matters in real estate are truly drawing bigger and bigger audiences. I’d like to believe that we have been among the frontliners in this cause. The consistent pursuit of sustainable and affordable design in Philippine real estate is truly an investment in the wellbeing of future generations.
