by Arch. Dale Jose C.

Gozar 
 DESIGN AGAINST THE ELEMENTS 
EDUCATION REGISTRATION 
June 1989 – March 1994 PRC License no. 0012936 
Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar
B.S in Architecture UAP  Member 
Introduction University of Santo Tomas Makati Chapter (In‐active) 
I am Building Architect at Chiyoda Philippines - a Japanese Petrochemical (Oil & Gas)
Engineering company. Basically I am task to do building projects with high level of strength,
quality, safety standards and precautionary measures (such as Safe-Haven, Blast Resistant
and Modular Buildings). AIR  FIRE 
Current Project involved • Typhoons/Cyclones  • Fire 
• Tornado  • Heat Wave 
Ichthys LNG in Darwin, Australia • Sand Storms  • Wild Fire 
Previous Project s involved • Gas Leak  • Lightning 
• Chemical Attack 
Sakhalin LNG in Sakhalin, Russia
QatarGas II (QGX) in Qatar 
RasGas (RGX) in Qatar 
Al‐Khaleej Gas (AKG) in Qatar 
Pearl GTL (QPG) in Qatar WATER  EARTH 
• Heavy Rain/Flood  • Quakes 
PNG LNG in Papua New Guniea  • Storm Surge  • Landslide 
TMP Project  in Malaysia  • Tidal Wave  • Erosion 
• Hale Storm  • Sink Hole 
 Blast Resistant Buildings
- are buildings with occupants and are located @ potential Blast Zone area.
They are structurally designed to withstand blast overpressure to minimize
injury/risk to people and facilities from the hazard of accidental explosion in a
plant.

Interior of Rack Room

Field Auxiliary Room (FAR- 13) Interior of Central Control Room

Pearl GTL Project (QPG) in Qatar QGX Project in Qatar

Explosion Protective Valve Instrument Technical Room (ITR-51B)

on Wall Opening (HVAC) QGX Project in Qatar Blast Resistant Door
 Safe Haven Buildings
- are mainly use as a safe refuge/protection of personnel during emergency
situation (explosion / gas leak), harsh environmental conditions (earthquake /
tornado / typhoons or cyclones) and terrorist attacks. It is usually Blast or semi-
Blast Resistant Building specially equipped w/ survival facilities such as:
Forced-Entry/Ballistic/Blast Resistant
(wall/roof/door/window/opening)
Protected Power Supply (generator)
Protected Air Supply
SAT Phone / Radio Base Station
Sustenance (Food/Drink) for up to 7days &
provided for 100% capture rate
Breathing Apparatus/Gas Mask
Medical kit
FAR- 13 CCTV system
QPG Project in Qatar
 Modular Buildings
In project site where labor is scarce or cost is very expensive, buildings are
constructed as whole Modules @ Fabrication Yard in other countries where
cheap/skilled labor are readily available (Philippines), then transported (by ship),
and installed @ project site (Australia). It can also be assembled from smaller
modules to form the entire Building.
B1BB – LER Utility
(1 module)
(2 modules)
B1BA - Main Substation

Step 1 : Fabrication Yard Step 2 : Shipment Step 3 : Site Installation

In 2009 my family also was victim of
Typhoon Ondoy wherein I almost
died trying to rescue my wife & kids
 Preliminary Judging & Exhibit at
QUEZON CITY HALL – December 2010

In 2010, I joined a Global Design Competition on housing project

that is well adapted for Climate Change entitled “Design Against the
Elements (Water-flooding, Wind-typhoons, Earth-quakes, & Fire)”.

Renzo Michael
(Consultant) Sean Matthew
(Researcher)
Ma. Theresa
(Secretary) Ma. Theresa
(Secretary) Renzo Michael
Sean Matthew
(Researcher) (Consultant)
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  COMMUNICATION
To avoid panic, looting & chaos–it is necessary to convey
messages/instructions BEFORE, DURING and AFTER any
disaster. It is also vital to receive/transmit information &
news in the community in times of crisis. And to warn
occupants of impending danger. Hence, the following items
are highly recommended:
 PA/GA System - allows emergency page or
Community Alert / Warning System announcements via any speaker-equipped street light.
(Blue, Yellow, Red & all Clear)  Alarm or Siren - warning device incase of Flooding,
The aim is to warn the community of Storm Surge, Tidal Wave, Fire and Earthquake.
danger and provide safety advice at  Satellite Phone & Radio Base Station–enables local
various stages during the approach of: officials (mayors/governors) to communicate with our
 Tropical Cyclone national government.
 Heavy Flooding
 Storm Surge / Tsunami
Notification System
 via public/barangay bulletins
 via media (AM/FM Radio, TV,
Newspaper, etc.)
 via web/NETizen/social media
 via SMS or Texting
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  STRUCTURAL MATERIAL 
Reinforced Concrete is preferred material for Column,
Beam, Slab, Foundation, Road Paver and pavements
because of the following advantages:
From book Design of Reinforced Concrete
 “It has considerable compressive strength and are very
rigid against strong WINDS & EARTHQUAKE. It also has
great resistance to FIRE & WATER and in fact is the
BUILD BACK BETTER RIGHT  best material available for situations where water is
INVEST  1st on FIRMATAS ‐ never  present.
reduce/undersize/substitute on   It is a Low Maintenance material and has very Long
the ff:  Service Life. Strength of Concrete does not decrease w/
• Foundation & Footing 
time actually increases over long period (years) due to
• Column, Beam & Slab 
• Reinforcement Bars 
the lengthy process of the solidification of the cement
• Spacing/Lapping of Re‐Bars  paste.
• 50‐75mm.   It is usually the only economical material available
 Conc. Cover  because of the inexpensive indigenous materials (sand,
gravel, and water) and requires relatively small amounts
of cement and reinforcing steel.
 In addition, a lower grade skilled labor is only required for
construction."
(see my suggestion for NHA Proposal)
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  GRADING FOR ECONOMY 
To keep Finished Grade as closed to Natural Grade as possible
The amount of CUT & FILL is targeted to be balanced over the
site except for the 2m Elevated Road & Community Center 3m.

Very Poor Storm Drain Design 

Rainwater that falls on surface of a property should flows 
off  the house/property, or drains to a points outside.  Rainwater must RUN‐OFF not RUN‐IN 
 OPEN DITCH DRAINAGE SYSTEM
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 

with optional Removable Precast Concrete Cover
For easy & trouble free maintenance - Open Ditch Drainage
@ right slope & size is utilized for Storm Drain. It is wiser to
oversize than economize on size because the cost of a slightly
larger conduit, besides being very small-part of the installation
cost, is far less than the cost of flooding and erosion that could
result.
(see my suggestion for DPWH Flood-Control Project)
 SOLAR STREET LIGHTS(with LED Lights) 
Recommended for use in less developed or isolated areas, or in places
where electricity supply is always disrupted by man-made or natural
disasters. The technology guiding the use of energy has progressed and is
now applied in Street Light. Solar powered Street Light can simply and
rapidly installed, providing many years o service, require only minimum
maintenance, and huge savings on Electricity Cost.
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  CONCRETE TILE PAVER(FGL+0.000) 
For economy & low maintenance, Concrete Tile Paver will be
use for Road @ Finished Grade. This is to allow Rainwater to
fall on the surface of the ground and percolates into the soil.
It can also help to reduce over-speeding of vehicles resulting
to less accidents and less vehicular noise.
• @Path/Sidewalk
• @Private/Service Road
• @Open Parking Facilities
To reduce Heavy Flooding in Cities, 
• @Private Road Intersection
I strongly recommend installation =>  • @Playgrounds, Parks &
Recreational Facilities
ELEVATED ROAD(FFL=FGL+2.00) 
Primary function is to save Vehicles from HEAVY Flooding
(assuming 2 meters). It also serves as a link to all buildings
and maintaining vital connections to one another and the
Community Center during long term Flooding.
PERVIOUS / POROUS / PERMEABLE CONCRETE
Surface allow rainwater (or melting Snow) to infiltrate into them and
percolates into the soil. It eliminates pond or stagnant water
(mosquito) and creates a safer surface = reduce/remove refreezing
of snow into hazardous (slippery) patches of ice. This can be done
by reducing fine aggregates (sand) so there are voids left between
the bigger gravel, allowing water to pass through like sieve. 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  Interlocking Concrete Pavement 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  Pervious / Porous / Permeable Concrete
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  PERVIOUS / POROUS / PERMEABLE CONCRETE
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  PEACE, SECURITY & SAFETY 
In order to maintain peace/order and reduce theft or crime against
the community and its occupants, it is necessary to do following:
 PERIMETER FENCE - perimeter fences shall be provided,
consisting of 2.4m high CBH wall or pre-cast concrete
panels with 2.4 high Galvanized Chain Link Fence on top.
 GUARD HOUSE - guards shall be stations at the Main
Entrance only and shall control access of all incoming &
outgoing vehicle/pedestrian in the community. They shall be
in-charge of the control of service & Emergency Gates and
Periodic checking & surveillance of the vicinity.
 MASTER KEY / GRAND MASTER KEY - shall be used in
each building and whole community for emergency
purposes such as Fire. This shall be kept in confidence by
Do not Duplicate
each Bldg. and Community Administrator.
 CCTV(Purchased/Installed by Home Owners) - to capture,
manipulate or record in real-time events and for remote
verification of cause of each alarm from a centralized
monitoring location.
-Outdoor Video Camera
-Video Records & Video Camera Control
 PHYSICAL & RECREATIONAL
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  FACILITIES
To prepare our community against a Disaster, the following
facilities are vital to promoting physical fitness, good health,
camaraderie, team-work, competitive spirit in the community:
 In/outdoor Basketball, Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball Court
 Soccer / Football / Soft or Baseball Field
 Jogging Trails & Bicycle lanes
 Children's Playground
 Gym & Aerobics area
EDIBLE & HERBAL LANDSCAPE
Selecting plants (EDIBLE or HERBAL) that can be useful for the
community as well as blend w/ the environment. A well-conceive
landscape design, properly installed & well maintained, adds
value to the building/community and enhances the quality of life
of its occupants.
SPATIAL GRAPHICS & SIGNAGES
To install building, room/unit signs, traffic, directional, fire-exit
and emergency signs which can be a way finding system and
eventually reduce panic & help save people in times of danger.
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  CONVENIENT, EFFICIENT &
SAFE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION 
Roads, Pavement, Stairs/Hallways/Verandah/Ramps must be
designed to provide convenient, efficient and safe access and
circulation throughout the building and community.
1. To provide sufficient no.& size of road, path-walks, gate,
hallways, verandah, passages, stairs and circulation
other areas.
2. To provide railings and handrails at all stairs, steps and
ramps. Riser and tread dimension are uniform for the
length of the stair. And reasonably slip resistant by
providing non-slipped abrasive materials on the nosing
and tread of the stair.
SCHEDULE TRASH COLLECTION & DISPOSAL
To provide heavy duty, leak-proof, sanitary and rust-free Trash
Container with convenient step on.
SYSTEMATIC WASTE DISPOSAL
To systematically dispose waste in most environmentally friendly,
cost effective & simple manner - by garbage segregation, which
can then be sold/collected for recycling by others.
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
MULTI-PURPOSE GROUND LEVEL
Initially used for parking facility for cars, motorbikes/scooter,
bicycles, jeepneys and tricycles.
Depending on the needs of the community, it can then be
converted to many things such as :
a. Playgrounds, Parks or recreational Facilities
b. Sports activity(Table tennis, Billiards, Chess games, etc.)
c. Market, Bazaar or Commercial area
d. Day Care, School & Learning Facility
e. Special events such as community gatherings/meetings,
birthdays, anniversaries.
f. Religious Affairs
MINIMALIST (LESS IS MORE)
Minimalist Style is recommended for the Exterior/Interior 
elements of the Building and way of  life in the community. It 
involves elimination/subtraction of non‐essential components 
or superfluous element (baseboard, cornice, decors, furniture, 
color, etc.) that result in a Clear, Simple, Economical Design. 
Hence too much AESTHETIC is pushed aside and one must 
give more attention to FUNCTION. 
LESS FURNITURE/DÉCORATION  = LESS DAMAGES /LOSSES 
           = EASY/QUICK RECOVERY  
           = FAST EVACUATION              
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
FIRE PREVENTION & PROTECTION
To stop and restrict fires, to minimize their severity, to protect neighboring or adjacent spaces, and
ensure the safe escape of building occupants incase of fire.
1. FULL BUILDING EVACUATION
A strategy requires all occupants to see safe egress from the building using stairs. Stairs & EXIT
corridor capacity is very adequate to accommodate the entire population of the building.
2. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, TRAINING PLAN & FIRE DRILLS
The outbreak of fire is associated with people, it is logical to attack the problem of reducing the
number of outbreaks by educational program such as:
a. plan for emergency leadership personnel within the community/building
b. conduct periodical Fire Drill or training of occupants in self-protection, escape & fire fighting
procedure.
c. training of the personnel directly involved in a fire fighting duties.
3. ZERO FIRE POLICY
To create Fire Safety Team that will adapt & enforce a Zero Fire Policy strategy to Home Owners. The
concept of Zero Fire as a strategy in fire safety awareness will benefit the community in the following:
a. Save lives and prevent injuries
b. Fast and systematic response
c. Contain and minimize damage to property
d. Quick return to normality
e. Create New Fire Safety Culture
To achieve Zero Fire status everybody must be involved-all occupants and visitors, in ensuring fire
safety measures are adopted and there is no outbreak of fire in the work place
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  MULTI-PURPOSE SHELTER
CODE Rated  To feature a multi-purpose shelter for large capacity gatherings–capable/flexible
enough to be converted & serve the following purpose for the community:
 General Assembly, Community Meetings/Seminars, Political Affairs
 Christmas Parties, Birthdays, Anniversaries and other Celebrations
 Indoor Sports Fest, & Leisure Activities
 Religious or Ecclesiastical Gatherings
 Charity, Medical Mission or Social Service Works

HEALTH, SAFETY & DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

By providing information, establish and maintain effective and comprehensive
program that require safety and health standards be implemented in the community.
This facility will be use for general announcement, information dissemination and
training of residents in order to enhance Community Disaster Preparedness such as:
 CONDUCT REGULAR FIRE / EARTHQUAKE / FLOOD / STORM DRILL
To avoid panic and be more knowledgeable & confident about emergency
situations such as fire, earthquake, Storms and flooding.
 PROVIDE INFORMATION & GUIDANCE
To help everyone make informed decisions about assessing risks and taking
appropriate precautions.
1. Alert Stages, Individual Preparation Checklist, Emergency Kit List, & Contact List
2. Communicable Diseases (such as DENGUE and LEPROPIROSIS)
BEFORE  DURING  AFTER 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
 by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  CONCLUSION / FINAL RECOMMENDATION no. 1
According to Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, all architects should be guided by the ff:
3 Principles of Architecture
Invest FIRST  1. FIRMATAS (durability/strength/safety)
2. UTILITAS (utility/use/function)
Invest LAST  3. VENUSTAS (aesthetic/beauty/form)
Note : The order of importance is mainly due to stage of construction. 
Building must be capable to withstand the elements and normal 
     usage for a period of time specified by the client/project. 
No part of the building should pose a hazard to the safety or health of  its occupants 
FIRMATAS

under normal usage. 
Building should be capable for safe evacuation or refuge during emergencies. 
Provide a degree of shelter from heat or cold temperature outside of the building. 
Capable to control of interior environment (air, temperature, humidity, light, and 
acoustics) as specified by the client / project. 
Ensures minimum safety & health requirement of the occupants. 
Cost Fire Heavy Flood , Typhoon, Cyclone, Earthquake Tornado
Structure Type Storm Surge, Hurricane (Richter Scale 8) (Category-3 to 5)
Tsunami (Category-5)
Wood/Timber/Bamboo Free to none none none partial none
with Steel Roof Low
R.C. Frame & Masonry Medium partial partial partial partial partial
Walls with Steel Roof to High
R.C. Frame/Wall/Roof Very total total total total total
High
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  DISASTER RESILIENT
Wood/Timber Structure with Steel Roof
Cost Fire Heavy Flood , Typhoon, Cyclone, Earthquake Tornado
Structure Type Storm Surge, Hurricane (Richter Scale 8) (Category-3 to 5)
Tsunami (Category-5)
Wood/Timber/Bamboo Free to none none none partial none
with Steel Roof Low

SAFE HAVEN
(R.C. Box)
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  DISASTER RESILIENT
R.C. Frame & Masonry Walls with Steel Roof
Cost Fire Heavy Flood , Typhoon, Cyclone, Earthquake Tornado
Structure Type Storm Surge, Hurricane (Richter Scale 8) (Category-3 to 5)
Tsunami (Category-5)
R.C. Frame & Masonry Medium partial partial partial partial partial
Walls with Steel Roof to High
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  DISASTER RESILIENT
R.C. Frame, Wall & Roof
Cost Fire Heavy Flood , Typhoon, Cyclone, Earthquake Tornado
Structure Type Storm Surge, Hurricane (Richter Scale 8) (Category-3
Tsunami (Category-5) to 5)
R.C. Frame/Wall/Roof Very total total total total total
High
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  CONCLUSION / FINAL RECOMMENDATION no. 3
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  CONCLUSION / FINAL RECOMMENDATION no. 2
Who and how can we solve this Problem?
“Politician (even if they were sincere) cannot solve this
problem alone because they have no technical
capabilities. They need the help of Architects, Engineers,
Scientist/Researchers and technical people, because
they are trained to solve this problem and they have the
capability, experience and know how to design, plan and
construct buildings, communities and cities.”
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  CONCLUSION / FINAL RECOMMENDATION no. 4

DESTRUCTION & REBUILDING CYCLE

- Earthquake
- Volcanic Eruption
- Cyclone/Typhoon
- Tornado
- Flooding
- Storm Surge Cyclone
- Landslide

Presented by Miguel Guerrero, APEC Architect, FUAP, AAIA

World War I & II

World War III
Conflicts in Iraq
Afghanistan, Syria,
Lebanon, Egypt REBUILDING (Positive Side)
(Middle East)
- Reduction of Population
- Increase activities in Civil & Building
Construction
- Job Creation / Business expansion.
- Opportunity to re-Design/Plan ruin cities.
 Tidal Wave & Storm Surge Sensor /Warning Devices

by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 

by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  Bamboo is not Disaster Resilient

NOT
DISASTER RESILIENT

PLAGARISM

False Claim & Wrong Information

1. No Basis - Bamboo is not accepted / mentioned in
any Building Code (IBC, UBC, BCA and NBC) and
any International Standard (BS, JS, AS)
2. Common Sense –light material, hallow, weak & no
fire rating.
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  Individual Preparation Checklist

EMERGENCY KIT LIST

Check and/or purchase emergency supplies including but 
not limitted to: 
•Portable radio, Flashlight with spare batteries
•Complete first aid kit, first aid manual & Personal medication
•Sustenance (Canned food and bottled water)
•Vehicle fuel 
•Masking tape, Ropes or Tie down material, anchor points  
• Plastic sheeting, timber strips, a hammer and nails
• Pandemic hygiene kit – gloves, mask, disinfectant, safety glasses
• Waterproof bags for valuables
• Other items deemed necessary by your family
• List of current emergency phone numbers, including numbers of
your local police, fire, ambulance, State Emergency Service, local
council, gas and electricity companies, and staff contacts
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  my suggestion to NHA Proposal
Without supporting
R.C Frames,
CHB Wall is WEAK
to resist strong wind
Budget Cost = P160,000
Reinforcement Bars
(temporary bended/concealed)
To provide for connection to 
future R.C Frame (column/beam) 
Jalousie Windows & all openings
To be boarded-up prior to a tropical
cyclone.  

This is only a STARTER HOUSE

due to limited budget provided by
our Government or NGO.
To be Disaster Resilient - future
Retro-Fitting will be required such
as additional R.C. Frames by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar 
by Arch. Dale Jose C. Gozar  DPWH Flood-Control Projects
Close Catchment Tunnel/Pit
It is very expensive and very
hard to clean and maintain. It
may cause bigger problems in
the future.

RETENTION POND (Open)

sunken UST Grandstand
To allow Rainwater/Flood to fall
on UST Grandstand and either:
• percolates into the soil
• evaporates
• flows off the site / drains
to a point outside.
 ‘’They must find it difficult...
Those who have taken authority as the truth,
Rather than truth as the authority’’
-G. Massey, Egyptologist

“Work for a cause NOT for applause,

live life to express NOT to impress;
don’t strive to make your presence noticed,
just make your absence felt”
-unknown

"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his
work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves."
- Lao Tzu