Marking its 10th year, Base Bahay Foundation, Inc. (BASE) continues to pioneer bamboo-based construction solutions, pushing the boundaries of sustainable building practices in the Philippines and abroad. Founded by the HILTI Foundation in July 2014, BASE has consistently worked towards addressing the housing gap by utilizing locally sourced, eco-friendly materials to create resilient, affordable, and disaster-proof homes. As part of its anniversary celebration, BASE reaffirms its commitment to providing sustainable shelter to underserved communities.
“Over the past decade, BASE and the Hilti Foundation have elevated the standard of living for many families, offering them a chance at a sustainable future,” shares Maricen Jalandoni, BASE President and Hilti Foundation Asia Liaison. “To celebrate this milestone, we are dedicating our efforts to bringing even more families under sustainable roofs.”
Engineer Luis Felipe Lopez, BASE’s General Manager, highlights the pressing need for scalable housing solutions: “According to the 2023 UN-Habitat PH Country Report, the Philippines is projected to face a housing backlog of 22 million units by 2040. By scaling our Cement-Bamboo Framework technology, we aim to provide holistic solutions to not just the housing crisis, but also the challenges posed by climate change and socioeconomic issues.”
A core aspect of BASE’s short-term objectives is to advocate for the inclusion of bamboo in the National Structural Code of the Philippines, which would enable broader adoption of bamboo-based construction and harness the abundance of this material across the country.
BASE’s Three Pillars: Innovates, Builds, and Enables
BASE’s success lies in its three-pronged approach: innovation, sustainable building, and capacity building. Through its *Innovates* pillar, BASE collaborates with leading local and international universities to develop alternative building technologies. The foundation’s *Builds* pillar focuses on creating resilient and inclusive housing solutions, while *Enables* emphasizes creating a robust ecosystem of bamboo enterprises to drive industry growth.
BASE Innovates: Pioneering Research for Global Solutions
Since inaugurating its Innovation Center in Makati City in 2021, BASE has conducted over 5,000 tests, resulting in the publication of more than 20 scientific papers. These studies have laid the groundwork for the foundation’s accreditation with RILEM (Réunion Internationale des Laboratoires et Experts des Matériaux), a global network of experts in construction materials. Ongoing research also supports BASE’s collaboration with the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) to integrate bamboo into the country’s structural code.
This research extends beyond the Philippines, as BASE works with partners in Nepal and Colombia to help develop and revise bamboo construction codes in those countries.
BASE Enables: Empowering Builders and Communities
Education is key to BASE’s mission. Through its Bamboo Academy, BASE offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs that equip architects and engineers with the knowledge they need to incorporate sustainable construction techniques. To date, BASE has conducted 15 CPD programs and trained over 2,000 professionals.
Last June, BASE hosted its third annual bamboo conference, *Bamboost III*, bringing together experts from around the world to discuss sustainable construction practices and how to integrate bamboo into building codes and standards.
Additionally, BASE’s network of bamboo suppliers continues to grow, with six partners across the Philippines and two more facilities set to open this year. A recently implemented Quality Management System ensures these suppliers meet the high standards required for their projects.
BASE Builds: Creating Homes, Building Communities
Over the past decade, BASE has constructed more than 2,030 homes across the Philippines, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Nicaragua, benefiting over 10,500 individuals. Among its most ambitious projects is the *Negros Occidental Impact 2025*, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines, which aims to address the region’s housing needs.
In addition to housing, BASE has developed 14 special structures, including schools accredited by the Department of Education, community centers, and children’s homes.
In 2023, BASE incorporated the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) green building certification into its projects. Developed by the International Finance Corporation, EDGE promotes energy and water efficiency in buildings, further advancing BASE’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its structures. So far, BASE has certified five experts in this field, contributing to an average savings of 35,000 tons of CO2 from its Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT) homes.
To learn more about BASE’s ongoing projects, the Bamboo Academy, and its mission to build a more sustainable future, visit www.base-builds.com.
