Permanent Shelter: Bahay eCO-BU

Ar. Adonis C. Canonicato submitted this design for a permanent shelter which he calls the "Bahay eCO-BU" (Bahay Kubo - a native Filipino house). It also means eco-House_Build Uniquely. We have been blessed generously with natural light around us, so why not harness from it? Alternative energy will be of great importance in the future. Solar power will make a difference...

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Resilient Schoolbuilding for San Fernando Elementary School in Tacloban

The construction of the school project of the UAP Emergency Architects is currently on-going and is being supervised by UAP District C-3. The schoolbuilding is elevated at a height of 1.0 meter from the existing grade line. The constructed started after the groundbreaking ceremonies last November 2014 attended by the UAP National President, Ar. Ma. Benita O. Regala, the chair...

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Toilet Facility for Mariki Elementary School

The groundbreaking (or should I say water splashing?) of a Toilet Facility project at Mariki Elementary School in Mariki, Zamboanga City, a community on stilts devastated by the Zambo siege in 2013 was held last Marh 17, 2015. The community on stilts was totally razed by fire during the siege, with some concrete structures left like the Mariki Elementary School (though some...

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Philippine structural design standards for resilient public buildings

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) released the latest design standards intended for resilient design of public buildings like hospitals thru a memorandum dated Feb. 26, 2014 signed by Sec. Rogelio L. Singson. The guidelines considers a wind load of 250 kph for Zone 1 and Zone II areas in the Philippines. ...

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Vanuatu disaster response much more difficult than Haiyan

SUVA – Aid agencies have described conditions in cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu as among the most challenging they have ever faced, as the Pacific nation’s president blamed climate change for worsening the devastation. Relief flights have begun arriving in the battered capital Port Vila after Super Tropical Cyclone Pam tore through on Friday night packing wind gusts of up to 320...

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Good Samaritan legislation: shielding building professionals in times of emergency

Is there a possibility that building professionals volunteering to communities as response to natural disasters be shielded from civil liability? Here is an interesting development in New Jersey which made that possible as contained in a letter by Kurt Trenton to the Times of Trenton editor: We at the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects are very...

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Can buildings withstand 250mph winds?

It is possible to design buildings to withstand 250 mph winds. You can buy tornado doors that are rated to 300 mph, but those are very expensive. Thick, laminated, and reinforced glass is available that can withstand 250 mph wind, but again, cost is a major issue. In general the strongest construction systems are reinforced concrete, as can be achieved with insulated concrete...

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Experts Forum on Rebuilding Communities and Ecosystems after Yolanda

(This is the Opening Message made by MR. FEDERICO R. LOPEZ, Chairman, OML Center at the Experts Forum held January 23, 2014 at the AIM Conference Center) “I am hopeful that with the talent gathered here today collaborating; we will make choices that will result in a more resilient Filipino people.” Welcome and Acknowledgements. Many of you may ask why a power...

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Forming the UAP Emergency Architects

Rationale and Objectives: The Philippines is one of the ten most afflicted countries in the world in terms of lives and property lost as a resutlt of damage due to natural calamities such as earthquakes and typhoons that visit the islands annually.  The destruction caused by these natural phenomena  in terms of loss of lives, structures and livelihood reinforces...

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Resilient Schoolbuilding Design 2

In times of calamity, schools are converted into emergency evacuation centers. S3H(Sustainable+Strong+Schoo+Home) focuses on how versatile a school can be. The combination of sustainability through the various use of indigenous materials, and other green design features with durability, makes it different and more efficient than generic school buildings. Bamboo is used...

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Resilient Schoolbuilding Design 1

This design for a two-classroom building which can be converted into a temprary shelter to serve as an evacuation center during typhoons and other disasters was submitted to UAP-EA by Ar. Adonis C. Canonicato. ...

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UAP Emergency Architects – Architects for Safer Communities

By Ar. Rey S. Gabitan – Head, UAP-Emergency Architects The Philippines is one of the ten most afflicted countries in the world in terms of lives and property lost as a resutlt of damage due to natural calamities such as earthquakes and typhoons that visit the islands annually.  The destruction caused by these natural phenomena  in terms of loss of lives, structures...

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UAP EA logo

The above logo was submitted by a volunteer who I forgot to note as the source of the logo. This is the current letterhead logo being used by the group in its activitie...

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