2.

1 Review of Related Literature

2.1.1 The Business Case for Green Building: A Review

of the Costs and Benefits for Developers, Investors and

Occupants , World Green Building Council, 2013

In recent years, a wide range of studies and reports

have outlined elements of the ‘business case’ for green

buildings. Research clearly shows that there are a large

number of compelling benefits from building green, which

are received by different stakeholders throughout the

building life cycle. Yet, one issue that has remained

controversial is whether it is possible to attach a

financial value to the benefits of green buildings –

crucial information for real estate lenders and the

investment community. Do green buildings attract a

financial premium in terms of rental and sales value? Are

they more attractive to tenants and occupiers? Are

employees occupying greener buildings more productive?

Key Findings

Using peer-reviewed evidence as the standard for the

analysis and guided by a steering committee of experts

Page | 31
from around the world, the findings presented in this

study represent a critical summation of the most recent

and relevant research. The body of the report provides

insight into how these findings were reached, including

the context of the studies – essential reading for

understanding the relevance of the findings to what is

found in local markets.

 Design and Construction Costs- Research shows that

building green does not necessarily need to cost

more, particularly when cost strategies, program

management and environmental strategies are

integrated into the development process right from

the start. While there can be an additional costs

associated with building green as compared to a

conventional building, the cost premium is typically

not as high as is perceived by the development

industry.

 Asset Value- As investors and occupants become more

knowledgeable about and concerned with the

environmental and social impacts of the built

environment, buildings with better sustainability

credentials enjoy increased marketability. Studies

Page | 32
 around the world show a pattern of green buildings

being able to more easily attract tenants and to

command higher rents and sale prices. In markets

where green has become more mainstream, there are

indications of emerging ‘brown discounts’, where

buildings that are not green may rent or sell for

less.

 Operating Costs- Green buildings have been shown to

save money through reduced energy and water use and

lower long-term operations and maintenance costs.

Energy savings in green buildings typically exceed

any design and construction cost premiums within a

reasonable payback period. In order to achieve their

predicted performance, high-performing green

buildings need to be backed up by robust

commissioning, effective management, and

collaboration between owners and occupiers.

 Workplace Productivity and Health- Research shows

that the green design attributes of buildings and

indoor environments can improve worker productivity

and occupant health and well-being, resulting in

bottom line benefits for businesses. Despite

Page | 33
 evidence of its impact, improved indoor

environmental quality has not been a priority in

building design and construction, and resistance

remains to incorporating it into financial decision-

making. While more research is needed, investing in

better indoor environments can lead to better

returns on one of every company’s greatest assets -

its employees.

 Risk Mitigation- Sustainability risk factors can

significantly affect the rental income and the

future value of real estate assets, in turn

affecting their return on investment. Regulatory

risks have become increasingly apparent in countries

and cities around the world, including mandatory

disclosure, building codes and laws banning

inefficient buildings. Extreme weather events and

systematic changes in weather patterns affect the

insurability of real estate and lead to questions

about the resilience of assets. Changing tenant

preferences and investor risk screening may

translate into risk of obsolescence for inefficient

buildings.

Page | 34
  Scaling Up from Green Buildings- By greening our

built environment at the neighborhood and city

scale, we can deliver on large-scale economic

priorities such as climate change mitigation, energy

security, resource conservation and job creation,

long-term resilience and quality of life.

Figure 2.1. Net present value analysis of the operational

cost and productivity and health benefits of Green buildings

While businesses are increasingly recognizing that

buildings that better support their employees also

result in better organizational outcomes, they are

less certain of how they should be leveraging buildings

Page | 35
to positively impact people. In addition, many

businesses believe that people can adjust to any

environment and so often make changes to the environment

only when it directly interferes with work performance,

rather than being proactive and exploring how the

environment can positively influence productivity and

well-being.

2.1.2 The Drive towards Healthier Buildings: The

Market Drivers and Impact of Building Design and

Construction on Occupant Health, Well-being and

Productivity, Smart Market Report, McGraw Hill

Construction, 2014

Health and wellness are critical issues affecting

today’s society, economy and individual’s quality of

life. Professional can play a role in helping mitigate

health hazards through healthy design and construction

practices in our nation’s workplaces and buildings.

However in order to fully educate the public and convince

owners to make investments, medical professionals need to

fold recommendations about their patients environment

into their care policies, and today, doctors are

overlooking the connections and advantages healthy

Page | 36
design, construction and operations of our nation’s

buildings can have on public health.

According to this publication, the top four risk

factors with the biggest impact on adult health (McGraw

Hill Construction, 2014), are lack of exercise, obesity,

smoking and poor diet. All these are ones that the design

and construction community, can have an impact on. it is

important to identify these risks so that the design and

construction community can create solutions to help

mitigate them, and here has been focused attention on

creating spaces and communities in order to foster

movement and provide access to vegetation. Also building

can be designed and built to reduce stress. Lighting in

particular, has been shown to have significant impacts on

building occupants as have workplace/room configuaration,

access to fresh air, and access to views of nature. It is

definitely not just the building itself that impacts

stress levels. However, creating workplaces that foster

comfort and wellness can definitely help contribute

positively. The built environment can create

opportunities for physical activity. Active design is

Page | 37
becoming more prominent as way to configure urban spaces,

buildings and interiors to encourage user’s good health.

The study also demonstrates the need for attention

to building impacts on health and well-being. The survey

states the following:

 One quarter of the HR executives involved

considered absenteeism among top causes of lost

productivity for their companies, and another 53%

find it to be one of many factors reducing

productivity.

 24% finds that 5% of more of their employees take

excessive sick days (more than 10 per year).

 Cold and flu outbreaks are identified by the

highest percentage (50%) of HR executives as

often contributing to absenteeism and lower

productivity.

 Over half find that lack of sufficient exercise

(59%) and concerns about weight/obesity (53%) are

among the biggest challenges that affect the

ability of employees to stay healthy.

Page | 38
 Strategies, such as improving ventilation and indoor

air quality, reduced exposure to toxins and design

strategies that encourage greater physical activity, can

have a significantly positive impact on these factors.

Also, The publication stated features considered or

expected in the next three years when choosing workplace

location, based on a survey they conducted. These are

places for social interaction, accessibility of

sidewalks, access to natural light and external views

throughout the workplace, proximity to shops and

services, access to natural settings, parks, and

recreation, proximity to bike racks, acoustic comfort,

ability to open windows/ use natural ventilation and

individual control over thermal comfort.

2.1.3 World Green Building Trends: Business Benefits

Driving New and Retrofit Market Opportunities in Over

60 Countries, Smart Market Report. McGraw-Hill

Construction, 2013

Around the world, green building is accelerating

it becomes viewed as a long-term business opportunity.

51% of the architects, engineers, contractors, owners and

Page | 39
consultants participating in the study anticipate that

more than 60% of their will be green by 2015, up from 28%

of firms in 2012. And the growth of green is not limited

to one geographic region or economic state- it is

spreading throughout the global construction marketplace.

Improved health and productivity benefits are

driving green building more today compared to three years

ago- 55% of firms rate greater health and well-being as

top social reasons for building green (tied with

encouraging sustainable business practices), up from only

29% in 2008. It is also notable for every country

assessed, there were top two-most important social

reasons to build green. Though energy savings are far the

most critical environmental reason to build green for all

respondents, the second most important environmental

factor varies depending on its region, which include

water-use reduction, lower greenhouse gas emission, and

natural resource conservation.

The social factors that most firms rate as important

reasons for building green are that promotes greater

health and well-being are that it encourages sustainable

business practices. Forty seven percent of firms rate

Page | 40
health and well-being as an important reason and 45% rate

sustainable business practices as important. The growth

of improved health and productivity benefits as key

reasons for building green as compared to 2012 is even

more notable, greater health and well-being nearly

doubled, growing by 88% as a top reason, and even more

dramatically, increased worker productivity nearly

tripled in impact.

Meanwhile, in environmental factors on building

green, energy-use factors tops the environmental reasons

for green building- 90% of firms cite as an important

reasons to go green. However, at least 75% rate at all

the environmental reasons as important. Energy

efficiency’s importance is to be expected- given that

energy use in buildings is the most easily measured and

tracked of the environmental benefits from green

buildings. Energy-use reduction is also directly equated

to a cost line item, making it universally appealing as a

reason to invest in green projects. These factors include

water-use reduction, improved air quality and lower

greenhouse gas emissions.

Page | 41
 Meanwhile, the astronomical price tags of

sustainable effort lead many at-risk cities to look at

adoption of soft infrastructure. Artificial reefs,

wetlands, geotextile-founded barrier islands and other

naturalist forms buffer the force of waves, and flood

rains are captured by bioswales and semi-permeable

pavements, which absorb water or slow its release into

overtaxed drainage systems. Soft infrastructure efforts

extend beyond the cities and government agencies and

wealthy societies. The emergence of sustainability

checklists and landscape and transportation initiatives

suggests the professionals working outside of the

building can take a leadership role in adaptation to

climate change.

Green buildings offer many different business

benefits. Overall, the largest percentage of firms deems

lower operating costs an important green benefit. This

suggests that when owners recognize a benefit, they place

value on it. Therefore, it is important for firms to

educate the industry on the holistic business benefits

green building can offer.

Page | 42
 In addition, government intervention can be very

influential in the growth of green building. The findings

of this study point to government intervention as

important, but the way those governments impact green

building is complicated and varies from country to

country. The powerful partnering of both market and

government forces has been the successful model for the

green building to thrive the country, but more

understanding is needed about what policies-for corporate

and government- will be most effective.

2.1.4 Health, Well-Being and Productivity in Offices:

The Next Chapter for Green Building, World Green

Building Council, 2014

For most employers meanwhile, a healthy, happy workforce

is a vital component of a productive, successful business

in the long-term. A healthy, happy workforce is a vital

component of a productive, successful business in the

long-term. It has suggested a strong causal relationship

between design and occupant health, wellbeing and

productivity, without so far mentioning ‘green building’.

There are reputable, robust studies that suggest the

green design features of buildings lead to healthier,

Page | 43
more productive occupants. Often, ‘green’ equates to a

feature which enables low carbon or energy efficient

operation of the building such as daylighting or natural

ventilation. Indeed, in many cases there does seem to be

a virtuous circle of good design that works for both

people and planet.

What drives green building – conducive to healthy,

productive occupiers – is quite simple: Good design (such

as passive solutions, shading, and natural ventilation

where possible); Good construction (new technologies,

innovation, smart controls); Good behaviour (appropriate

clothing, adaptability and engagement with systems); and

Good location (enabling low carbon commuting and easy

access to services and amenities).

This complex relationship between health, wellbeing,

productivity and ‘green building’ points to a need to

reinterpret – some might say rescue – the term ‘green’

from an association purely with the environmental

movement; or we may need to move ‘beyond green’ to talk

much more about sustainable buildings. Either way, the

goal should be buildings that maximise benefits for

people, and leave the planet better off as well. Low

Page | 44
 carbon, resource efficient, healthy and productive -

really what we are talking about is higher quality

buildings.

The Physical Office Environment

The office environment is made of up several factors, which can be
measured or evaluated in numerous ways.

Indoor air quality Lighting & Biophilia & views

& ventilation Daylighting • Connections to
• Pollutants, • Quantity nature
including VOCs • Quality • Views outside
• CO2 • Glare
Look & feel
• Aroma • Daylight
• Task type • Design character &
• Ventilation rate or
brand ethos, including
fresh air
colour, shape, texture
• Moisture content Noise & acoustics & art
• Background noise
• Cultural, gender &
• Privacy &
Thermal comfort age sensitive design
interference
• Indoor air • Vibration Interior layout &
temperature
• Mean radiant active design
Location & access • Workstation density
temperature
• Air velocity
to amenities • Task based spaces &
• Access to amenities ergonomics
• Relative humidity
• Transport • Breakout spaces and
• Clothing
• Activity • Quality of public social features
realm • Active design

Page | 45
 Occupant Organizational Or
Occupant Health Financial Outcomes
Wellbeing
Outcomes The office environment
The physical office
And Perception
can have a direct impact
factors influence the Outcomes on occupant
health of occupiers Health is an productivity, in which
(health outcome) important element of health and well-being is
which can be measured wellbeing, but an often a compounding
or evaluated. occupant’s sense of factor. This ‘outcome’
Health wellbeing is also for the organization can
• Headaches comprised of their be measured or evaluated
• Eye strain/damage perception of in the following ways
• Skin irritation numerous factors, (not exhaustive), all of
• Infections including how which have financial
• Fatigue productive they think implications for the
• Seasonal Affective they are: employer.
Disorder • Perceived physical Productivity
• Asthma & breathing health • Absenteeism
disorders • Perceived • Presenteeism
• Stress & depression psychological health • Staff turnover/
• Other physical • Perceived retention
complaints, e.g. back productivity • Revenue
ache • Perceived office • Medical costs
• Other serious environment • Medical complaints
disorders, including • Perceived • Physical complaints
cardio-vascular etc. organizational • Task efficiency &
culture deadlines met

Design, Refurbishment Or Fit-Out Strategy

With the aim of enhancing Strategies to maximize beneficial
or incorporating: outcomes for office occupants will
• Indoor air quality & have a capital cost implication,
ventilation ranging from negligible to high,
• Thermal comfort depending on the strategy and the
• Lighting & daylighting stage in the building lifecycle.
• Noise & acoustics Examples:
• Interior layout & • Following active design principles
active design in a new build office = no/low
• Biophilic design & additional cost
quality views • Reconfiguring an existing office to
• Look & feel maximize task-based spaces = medium
• Access to amenities cost
• Retrofitting an existing, occupied

Page | 46
 Ultimate Aims
Maximized Return on Investment (financial evaluation based on life cycle
costing – capital & operational) for all strategies designed to benefit
occupants and improve productivity:

• Lower employment cost per employee, including reduced absence costs

• Higher staff retention and reduced costs of staff turnover

• Greater ease of high quality recruitment, lowering recruitment costs

and adding value

• Greater productivity of staff on core tasks, e.g. deadlines met, sales

made etc.

• Optimized green building ratings resulting in higher value/lower risk/

improved reputation

• Reduced occupant complaints via ‘Help Desk’ and other similar feedback
systems, leading to reduced costs

• Increased company revenue

Figure 2.2. Health, Wellbeing & Productivity Flow chart

2.1.5 Building Planning and Massing, Building and

Construction Authority, Singapore, 2010

Countries with tropical climate face many challenges

to building design. In order to achieve comfortable

conditions for building users to live, work and play

effectively throughout the day, the climatic conditions

they experience need to be modified.

To create a green building design that can not only

minimize the impact on the environment, but also remain

Page | 47
practical, economical and comfortable for use, it is

important to look into integrated green building design,

in which the design team works hand-in-hand throughout

the entire process, as well as consider each aspect of a

building in an integrative and holistic manner.

Besides this, the focus of this guidebook will also

be on the role of passive design features, e.g. aspects

of the building form and envelope that will reduce energy

consumption, as well as the adoption of energy efficient

strategies such as natural ventilation, building greenery

and the use of renewable energy. Other volumes in this

series of guidebooks will consider other aspects of

building design such as building systems and indoor

environmental quality.

The integrated green building design approach

described above is neither new nor exceptional to many.

However, it stresses on ’Three E's’ – everybody engaged,

every issue considered, early in the project. Throughout

the project phases, there should be clear and continuous

communication among the stakeholders where ideas can be

shared, tested, researched and considered for

implementation. Stakeholders involved in the building

Page | 48
design and those who will eventually use and maintain the

building should interact closely throughout the design

process so that they contribute their understanding of

how the building and its systems will work for them once

they occupy it with those who plan and design the

building. The fundamental challenge of the integrated

design approach is to understand that all building

systems are interdependent. The figure below illustrates

the key elements of an integrated green building design

approach.

Figure 2.3. Key Elements of an Integrated Green

Building Design Approach

Page | 49
 In initial site planning, there are numerous

variables to keep in mind in order to optimize passive

design, land use and overall sustainability. There is

always a balance to strike between variables that may

seem to work against each other as there is no one size-

fits-all solution to these problems. Additionally, site

constraints may limit implementation of certain

strategies usually related to orientation. It is best to

prioritize sustainability issues for the particular

project and try to fi nd solutions that work best for

multiple variables, for example, orientation, natural

ventilation and shade.

Singapore’s tropical climate is generally hot and

humid with average temperature remaining largely similar

across the year. With good passive designs that promote

natural ventilation, most of our common areas within

buildings can be thermally comfortable without the need

for air-conditioning and fan systems. This brings about

energy savings. Design for good air movement begins from

site selection and progresses into detailed architectural

and space planning. Tools such as wind tunnel test and

Page | 50
airflow simulation help to develop designs for good cross

ventilation.

Due to urbanization, we seemed to have lost more and

more of our green spaces to concrete landscapes.

Fortunately, concerns on Urban Heat Islands have allowed

us to formulate strategies that balance urban landscapes

with natural greenery. Ground greenery should be

maximized as a first strategy with planting of trees

being the most effective in providing shading and

mitigating heat build-up. When external areas are scarce,

greenery can also be incorporated into the building,

taking the forms of vertical greenery, sky terraces, roof

gardens, balcony planters or simply providing areas for

internal green walls or indoor planting.

2.2 Rules, Laws, Regulations and Design Standards

2.2.1 Presidential Decree 1096- National Building

Code of the Philippines

The development shall conform with the ideal

standards prior to this code. Standards herein are not in

intent to limit the design but to regulate and to

establish a development compliant to the standards of

Page | 51
building design and construction in the Philippine

setting.1

Buildings shall be constructed safe and suited for

the purpose they are designed, safeguard the environment,

using environmentally friendly materials and methods of

construction, as well as its utilities and systems.2

The development shall get rid also of dangerous

and ruinous buildings or structures3 as defined on the

Code, unless specified herein to be retained or

otherwise, utilized.4

Every building shall be designed, constructed, and

equipped to provide adequate light and ventilation,

especially natural day lighting and passive ventilation.

All provisions and dimensions compliant to this Code

shall be attained as much as possible, including the

provisions and dimensions of openings, sizes of habitable

1
National Building Code of the Philippines;
2
Section 104- General Building Requirements, National Building Code
of the Philippines;
3
See Dangerous Buildings (Definition of terms);
4
Section 214- Dangerous and Ruinous Buildings and Structures,
National Building Code of the Philippines;

Page | 52
rooms, provision for courts and yards, proper setbacks,

airspace, ceiling heights and similar standards.5

On the other hand, the roadway off RROW

approaching to the structure shall be free of structures

intruding it, to dignify important public/historic

structure/building. This is kept and attained to preserve

view corridors/sight line/vista point the development

tends to preserve.6 Also, RROW adjacent to the site shall

be keep at stake minimum standards and sizes as

prescribed prior to this Code. If cannot comply, the

widening of the road will depend prior to its future

development in accordance to existing CLUP and future

plans, and will not be a scope of this study herein.

Also, since the development tends to be a

public/government building/structure, the proposal shall

conform to all the guidelines stated herein in this Code,

conform to all prevailing laws and ordinances, promote

distinct Filipino Architecture, has distinct

architectural character, dignified, flexible, maximizing

5
Rule 8- Light and Ventilation, National Building Code of the
Philippines;
6
Guidelines on easements, view corridors/sight lines, streets / road
right-of-way (RROW), sidewalks, arcades, basements, lots, and public
buildings/structures- National Building Code of the Philippines;

Page | 53
the use of passive lighting and cooling, functional and

innovative and timely, and shall conform all criteria in

site selection and site development listed on this Rule.7

Lastly, the development shall provide and shall not

lack nor exceed the prescribed minimum number of parking

areas for vehicles stated on this Code, on which this

parking areas shall conform the minimum and ideal

dimensions of each parking slots of each type.8

2.2.2 Batas Pambansa Bilang 344- Accessibility Law

Prior to this law, the proposal shall conform and

comply to all the guidelines stated herein, to allow

convenient movement and activity of the PWD’s and

elderlies. This varies from structures outside the

building such as sizes and designs of walkways and

passageways, handrails, and number and sizes of parking

slots intended for PWD’s, and inside the building, such

as sizes, design and location of entrances, ramps, stairs

and toilets and washrooms, and its sufficient number.9

7
Design of Public Buildings/Structures- National Building Code of
the Philippines;
8
Rule XIX- Parking and Loading Requirements, National Building Code
of the Philippines;
9
BP 344- Accesibility Law;

Page | 54
2.2.3 Building For Ecologically Responsive Design

Excellence (BERDE) Green Building Rating System- For

new construction: commercial buildings [Version

1.1.0 (2013)]

This BERDE Green Building Rating Scheme is open

for use as a reference voluntary standard for the

measurement of environmental performance of buildings.

The use of this Green Building Rating Scheme is not a

substitute for services rendered by building design,

construction and operation professionals.

The BERDE Green Building Rating System to be

considered on this proposal focuses on the following

categories as part of its framework: Land use and

ecology, water energy, transportation, indoor environment

quality, materials, emissions, wastes and heritage

conservation. Guidelines under management and innovation

categories, at stake, will not be taken account with this

proposal since this chapter would be too technical and in

need to seek professional participation.10

10
Building For Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE)
Green Building Rating System- For new construction: commercial
buildings [Version 1.1.0 (2013)]

Page | 55
 Fulfilling all the standards set on this framework

requires help from other professionals. Thus the

standards herein are used as an inspiration and reference

in setting up a green building, and not to comply with

all the standards within the categories of this BERDE

framework. Some of the design parameters will be used, to

establish a facility that is said to be green, which will

help the proponent to attain its goal, setting up a built

environment that shows seamless connection to its natural

environment and that will help the occupant commune with

the present environment.

2.2.4 Time Savers Standards for Building Types,

Office Building Design, General

Architecturally speaking, this book set guidelines

and considerations essential in designing an office

space. Even speaking generally, considerations herein

should be, at instance, followed. Guidelines in selecting

what kind of layout depending on the location of its

core, general principles such as the work flow, the

layout of its workstations, workstation considerations,

the need of privacy, circulation, the needed spaces in an

office, as well as the considerations for each

Page | 56
position/department/division, and the guidelines

depending on what type of spaces that is needed in an

office. Also sizes and dimensions of ideal furniture,

clearances, common layouts, and special requirements such

as interim space allowances and ergonomics and proxemics

should be considered. Office layout by function herein is

also discussed and can be taken as consideration.11

2.3 Foreign Case Studies

2.1 Merchant’s Club Building, Vilnius, Lithuania

Merchants’ Club building is a combination of

business innovations and tradition right, serves as a

home for offices of such tenants. The building is

situated in the very centre of Vilnius on Gediminas

Avenue, and original building was erected in 1913 on St

George’s Avenue (today – Gediminas Avenue). The new

Merchants’ Club consists of three buildings. The new

business center building with underground parking joins

the Empire style building of the beginning of the 20th

century, designed by architect Michail Prozorov, and the

building located in the yard. The modern and the

11
Office design, general- Time Savers Standards for Building Types

Page | 57
reconstructed wings are joined together by a courtyard

with water pool.

Figure 2.4. Merchant’s Club Building

Page | 58
 Amidst all the major strategic objects, the

renovated building of the Merchants’ Club blends well

into the busy rhythm of the city and supplements the

surrounding architectural ensemble. The old façade of the

building today looks exactly as it did in the early 20th

century when its lavishness stood out prominently in the

city’s landscape.

Architectural Analysis

The existing historical building is thoroughly

reconstructed according to the original state of the 20th

c. While restoring the authentic edifice, the efforts

were made to preserve as much of the heritage of the past

as possible. The cylindrical turret on a corner of the

building was crowned with the Atlas figure upholding the

vault of heaven, which was destroyed in 1952, was

reconstructed according to its original form.

Along with the Atlas, the sculptural relief

decorating the exterior of the building was thoroughly

cleaned and restored. All the plafonds, bas-reliefs and

the graphical images inside the building were carefully

reconstructed and recreated.

Page | 59
 The image of the new part is being created by the

glazed three-dimensional lace, consisting of structural

elements. The aim was to create the intensity of the

décor in new architecture. It refers to the overall

decorative character of the buildings in the neighboring

avenue and streets.

Aesthetics and function within new building are

closely connected. The three-dimensional painting of

vertical beams in the whole new part functions as a

constructive element. The double-glazed facade allowed

the reduction of noise coming off the busy street

outside, control of natural lighting and heating, saving

energy resources. The decorative swimming pool in the

atrium is used to irrigate air. The heated/cooled

ceilings inside is another feature that helps to increase

the level of comfort and save energy.

The old and new space inside the complex has been

merged allowing the visitor to travel freely between the

historical part and its modern counterpart. The little

joined bridges are used to cross a narrow insertion above

the water.

Page | 60
Design Application

This study of the each design project will help

the researcher in dealing with his proposal. The first

point is the project is office in nature, secondly part

of it deals with heritage conservation. the process of

restoration done by the architect on treating the

heritage structure, wherein restoring the building to its

original and authentic form as possible, is ideal, and

should be implemented. Also, the way how the architect of

the project show the connection between the old and the

new is also ideal, and should be applied also to the

project proposed. Creating a welcoming and healthy

office space that will tend to make a productive user,

with sufficient and efficient spaces right for its use is

a must.

Page | 61
 2.2 Solaris, Singapore

Figure 2.5. Solaris

Solaris is located in the research and business park

in central Singapore’s one-north community, Fusionopolis,

an R&D hub for Infocomm Technology, Media, Physical

Page | 62
Sciences & Engineering industries which is intended to

facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship in these

fields. Solaris has been certified BCA Green Mark

Platinum, the highest possible green certification

granted by Singapore’s sustainable building benchmark.

Architectural Analysis

With over 8,000 sq. mts. of landscaping, Solaris

also introduces vegetation which exceeds the area of the

building’s original site. Solaris stands as a dramatic

demonstration of the possibilities inherent in an

ecological approach to building design. The project

comprises two tower blocks separated by a grand

naturally-ventilated central atrium. Office floors are

linked by a series of sky bridges which span the atrium

at upper floors. The building will become a vibrant focal

point for the one-north community through the

introduction of open interactive spaces, creative use of

skylights and courtyards for natural light and

ventilation and a continuous spiral landscaped ramp, an

extension of one-north Park across the street, which

forms an ecological nexus tying together an escalating

sequence roof gardens with sky terraces that

Page | 63
interpenetrate the building’s facade. With its extensive

eco-infrastructure, sustainable design features and

innovative vertical green concept, Solaris strives to

enhance its site’s existing ecosystems, rather than

replace them. The key ecological features are:

 Continuous Perimeter Landscape Ramp- An

uninterrupted 1.5 km long ecological armature

connects the adjacent one-north Park at ground level

and the basement Eco-cell with the cascading

sequence of roof-gardens at the building’s highest

levels.

 Rainwater Harvesting/Recycling- The building’s

extensive landscaped areas are irrigated via a

large-scale rainwater recycling system.

 Roof Gardens and Corner Sky Terraces- Vertical

landscaping acts as a thermal buffer and creates

areas for relaxation and event spaces.

 Climate Responsive Façade- The project’s climate-

responsive façade design originated with analysis of

the local sun-path.

 Naturally Ventilated and Day Lit Grand Atrium- A

public plaza between the two tower blocks provides a

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 space for communal activities and creative

performances

 Pocket Park / Plaza- Ground level landscaping,

linking to one-north Park across the street, allows

for cross ventilation of the ground-floor plaza and

provides a venue for social/interactive events.

 Solar Shaft- A diagonal shaft cut through the upper

floors of Tower A allows day-light to penetrate deep

into the building’s interior.

 Eco-cell- Located at the building’s north-east

corner where the spiral ramp meets the ground,

the Eco-cell allows vegetation, daylight and natural

ventilation to extend into the car-park levels

below.

Design Application

As support that creating a green working space help

to promote healthy and well-being to the users and at a

certain degree to public, and help to increase

productivity to them, the strategies used in this project

to promote biophillia concept in establishing connection

the people to the nature through the building can be

useful to the researcher in dealing with his proposal,

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creating a seamless connection of vegetation from the

ground the building floors, exterior and interior spaces,

and celebrating and maximizing the potentials of the

site, from natural ventilation and day lighting, into

rainwater harvesting and recycling.

2.3 Viet Vuong Factory Office,

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Figure 2.6. Viet Vuong Factory Office

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 The renovation of a Viet Vuong garment factory in

Ho Chi Minh City is a nominee in the World Architecture

Festival 2014 New and Old Category an award given to the

most excellent and ideal projects this year in applying

new and timely innovation and development in an old

structure. The aim of the project is to redefine the

company's identity through renovation in order to stand

out among 4,000 other manufacturers of export clothing in

Vietnam.

The project was done Vietnamese studio Vo Trong

Nghia Architects. The studio concentrated the

intervention on the two sections of the factory most

visible to visitors – the entrance reception and the

administrative department that accommodates the company's

meeting rooms.

"A theatrical juxtaposition of the existing

factory and new office was proposed to emphasise the

well-managed factory environment and its dynamism, say, a

spectacle of 1,200 skilful workers sewing numerous ski-

wear in a tropical climate," said the firm.

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Architectural Analysis

The existing factory is a two-story steel building

(25m x 90m). The refurbishment is concentrated on two

sections, one on the upper floor for administrative

office and another small one on the ground floor for the

reception. The remaining space is left for manufacturing

work that was kept operated even during the construction

period.

A suspended bamboo ceiling appears to drape down

from overhead like a huge woven blanket, concealing

ventilation ducts, electrical equipment and lighting

fixtures. This frames the first-floor meeting room, and

also extends down over the reception.

A large internal window was another addition,

intended to create a stronger visual connection between

the offices and the factory floor below.

Glazed partitions separate the main office floor

from a series of meeting rooms and private offices that

run along the edges.

Each of these spaces feature bare brick walls

that, like the bamboo ceiling, were intended to provide

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an expression of traditional local architecture, creating

what the team describes as a "textile surface".

The final addition was a grid of wire installed

over the exterior walls to encourage bougainvillea vines

to grow across the facades.

Design Application

Adding a design approach that will make an

identity to the building and its user is pointed.

Bioclimatic approach added to the existing structures

used in this project will be beneficial and can help the

researcher in dealing with his proposal. The way the

project shows the connection between the administrative

to the service areas without intruding its privacy can be

also serve as an inspiration to the proponent to create

climate-oriented buildings.

2.4 Local Case Studies

2.4.1 Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA)

Building, Quezon City

Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) is leading

by example to be at the forefront of the green building

revolution. The 'Green Building' is designed to be

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climate-smart and energy-efficient and serves as

inspiration for sustainable building practices. The LLDA

building, which would enable at least 20 percent

reduction in energy consumption, is the first ever

Philippine government structure to be accredited as a

Green Building by the Building Ecologically Responsible

Design and Excellence (BERDE) for the government and

private sector.

Figure 2.7. LLDA Building

The proposed Laguna Lake Development Authority

(LLDA) Building is envisioned to be the first accredited

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green government office building. It will be composed of

a two winged, four-storey building with a roof deck.

Located on a 3021 square meter-lot in the NEC, the new

LLDA headquarters and laboratory will have a gross floor

area (GFA) of around 5,600 square meters. The building is

designed to accommodate all the departments of LLDA

including laboratories and the executive offices. Aside

from the office areas, several public spaces will be

built including an exhibition hall, a library, conference

rooms, multi-purpose areas and a cafeteria.

Architectural Analysis

Green design features are to be used in the new LLDA

Headquarters. The building is raised on stilts and

connected with bridges, with ground level parking to

minimize ecological footprint and reduce adverse effects

to the existing biodiversity.

Only 69% of the building is air-conditioned (with an

option for natural ventilation by using operable

windows). The building will also maximize natural

daylight by having shallow building widths and light

shelves thus reducing the need for electric lighting

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throughout the day. It will also feature a rainwater

catchment system which will provide water for flushing in

water closets and urinals. These together with other

green strategies, a minimum of 20% energy reduction can

be achieved.

A constructed wetland is to be introduced which acts

as a small-scale representation of the ecological

processes that occurs in the Laguna Lake for educational

and viewing purposes. Moreover, the engineered wetland is

to be utilized for on-site natural treatment of

stormwater and for cooling the hot air breezes. In

addition, an on-site materials recovery facility (MRF) is

to be constructed to properly practice waste management

within the complex.

Design Application

Green practices used in the building are ideal

actions that can be applied in order to establish a

facility that will promote healthy and well-being. It is

one of the best case studies that he proponent can rely

on since it stands on the Philippine soil which shares

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almost the same climatic condition, as well as

geographical, to the proposed facility.

2.4.2 First Balfour’s Corporate Office, Sucat,

Parañaque City

First Balfour’s Corporate Office, located along the

West Service Road in Sucat, Parañaque City, has recently

been recognized and awarded by the Philippine Green

Building Council (Phil GBC) as its first Building for

Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE)-

certified building in design.

It is located in a lot formerly owned by Sunward

Technologies, which First Balfour bought in October 2010.

The existing buildings in the old manufacturing site was

retrofitted and redesigned as the company's corporate

office. The project was originally filed for application

under BERDE for Existing Buildings, but was finally

registered under BERDE for New Construction version

1.0.0.

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Figure 2.8. First Balfour’s Corporate Office

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 The company's decision to pursue BERDE certification

was from the strong push from their own management, their

strong environment culture and corporate responsibility,

and their desire to be the first building in the

Philippines to earn a BERDE Star. Challenges shared by

the company in their pursuit of BERDE certification

included: site constraints, energy and environmental

implications of the design, and interpretation

requirements, among others.

PhilGBC partnered with TÜV Rheinland, a third-party

professional certification body, to ensure the

credibility and impartiality as submissions for

certification are being assessed. The lead evaluators

from TUV lauded that one-hectare, two-building facility

for its green building features such as the employment of

a rain harvesting technology and the use of water and

energy saving fixtures.

Design Application

The process of retrofitting and redesigning existing

buildings in the old manufacturing site as the company's

corporate office can be a good example to the researcher;

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especially the project was done through the application

of strategies in making a building green, and created a

green building in the Philippine setting.

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