Chapter 2

Research Topics

1. ADAPTIVE REUSE

Adaptive reuse is the step by step process of redesigning an old building, site or structure, and giving it
a newer definition as to how it was originally designed. It is the process of rebranding buildings that
have outlived their original purposes for different uses or functions but the historic features remain
intact. This type of approach is closely related to historic preservation or conservation within places with
rich history or cultural value. (Compton Construction, 2016) (Craven, 2016)

According to (Craven, 2016) Adaptive Reuse has to consider three (3) rationales when it comes to
designing a building, and these are the following:

 Materials - The building materials should be available, naturally strong, rich looking and should
have a good quality.

 Sustainability - adaptive reuse consists of processes that are inherently green.

 Culture – The structure’s architectural style should still remain a part of its history since it gave
distinct memories from the past.

Restoring an old structure should be taken into consideration first by the Government and its agencies
as the immense advantages start to break the surface, we open our minds, we take steps to bring into
existence buildings of the past in the attempt to promote conservation of its historical value thus
reshaping the image of the whole, beautifully enriched by the past. (Architecture Lab, 2017)

Factors affecting Adaptive Reuse:

 Economic growth – A link to modernization and developmental technology. This should be

everyone’s concern most especially the new generation seeking for fast-pace development.
 Sustainable development - One of the most responsive way of dealing between historical
preservation and modernization. This has a wide range of issues to respond to in the attempt to
reach development goals. Professionals all over the world are working hard to seek innovative
ways to resolve problems between wastes and used materials in the attempt to further create
new materials that are profitable for the next generations thus pushing the boundaries and
creating options for the unused establishments, opening up numerous possibilities of adaptive
reuse.
 Historical Character - plays a big role due to its influences, the notable designs, previous
constructions methods and relatively different building materials are not overlooked.

Economic Considerations for Adaptive Reuse

 Reuse of existing materials, its physical condition and decaying components.

 Lessening the use of energy, labor force and machinery during construction.
 Lessening the garbage that can be brought by total demolition.
 Minimizing the funds required the company or the owner in establishing a new site.
 Every project has its economic costs. Some professionals will likely build a new building rather
than to renovating or adapting an old one as this may greatly increase costs.

1.1. RETROFITTING

According to (Horseen, 2017) Retrofitting refers to the inadequate reliability or owner for higher
reliability of the bearing structure, component part and its relation to enhancement, local
replacement or adjustment measures such as its internal force to make it with the current
design specification and the owner required safety, durability and applicability.

Recommendations of Retrofitting for Existing Buildings to Improve Sustainability And Energy

Performance

 Determine if the existing systems are operating at optimum levels before considering
replacing existing equipment with new higher efficiency equipment. This can be
accomplished by performing an energy audit.
 Review utility bills from the last two years to determine if consumption has risen.

 Performing an energy audit (assessing existing condition and operational procedures of

the building and major building systems and identify areas for improvement) is one of
the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Existing Buildings.

 Determine air tightness of the building envelope by examining the building envelope,
looking for leaky windows, gaps around vents and pipe penetrations, and moisture
intrusion. Upgrading heating and air-conditioning systems without addressing problems
with the building envelope will result in less than optimum performance of those
systems.

Sustainability And Energy-Efficiency Strategies

 Recommission all energy and water systems to determine they are operating at
optimum performance; then upgrade energy and water systems to minimize
consumption.

 Develop a plan to optimize the recycling and reuse of demolition debris and
construction waste to minimize waste sent to landfills.

 Evaluate occupancy patterns, then apply daylight, HVAC and lighting sensors in
appropriate locations. Incorporate energy efficient lighting into the project as
appropriate for the tasks and functions of the spaces.
  Determine if natural ventilation and fresh air intake are alternatives to reduce heating
and cooling loads.

 Investigate renewable energy options that can offset the purchase of fossil fuel-based
energy.

 Consider solar shading devices for windows and doors, including those that generate
electricity by photovoltaic devices.

 Replace existing windows with high-performance windows that are appropriate for
climate and exposure. If building requires security upgrade, evaluate blast resistant
windows and films. If building is located in a high noise area, evaluate windows that also
include adequate exterior to interior noise reduction.

 Analyze the benefits of distributed generation if the building is in a campus cluster or

can share the on-site energy produced with adjacent buildings.

 Balance the project's sustainable goals with its security goals including protecting the
building and its occupants from natural and man-caused disasters.

 Determine if a cool roof or green roof are cost-effective ways to reduce heat island
effect and storm water runoff.

 Employ a green building rating system for existing buildings like LEED for Existing
Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED EBOM) or Green Globes for Existing
Buildings to gage the building's level of performance.

 For historic buildings, update systems appropriately to maintain a balance between the
need for energy and water savings with the character of the original building fabric.

 Take the opportunity afforded by the building renovation to incorporate sustainable

operations and maintenance practices and switch to green cleaning products and
methods.

 Measure the performance of the building regularly.

 Plan on installing meters for electric, gas, water and other utilities

1.2. Brutalist Architecture

According to (Architecture&Design, 2019) Brutalism is an architectural style that was well-

known during the mid-20th century from the 1950s until the 1980s, especially in civic projects
and institutional buildings and in the form of sculpture. It establishes the right of building
materials and structural features to be seen, admired and even celebrated.
Brutalist buildings have been saved from demolition through preservation and some have been added to
national heritage lists while others have achieved UNESCO heritage status. Many crumbling buildings
that once proudly stood out, have given way to newer buildings but there are several that are
architectural landmarks and will, perhaps, remain standing thanks to their iconic status and the efforts
of conservation groups. Many brutalist buildings are being transformed through extensive restructuring
and renovations to make them more habitable, current, and less of an eyesore. (Architecture&Design,
2019)

Elements of Brutalist Architecture

A brutalist Structure should include the following:

 Unadorned, flat, usually concrete, exteriors

 Windows are holes in the wall, versus the continuous outer skin of International style buildings
 Repeated modular elements
 Monolithic building form

Features Of Brutalist Architecture:

 Rough Surfaces – Brutalist Architecture use varied and contrasting textures and materials
 Massive Forms – It creates a sense of mass, weight and scale
 Unusual Shapes – Part of its building can be altered or differentiated to add a dramatic effect
 Expression of Structure – It creates a memorable and powerful image to the audience

Techniques in Restoring Brutalist Architecture

1. Refurbishment - often used with renovation or restoration which its purpose is to restore a
building to its past condition. In general, refurbishment can encompass such works as ‘cosmetic’
renovations such as painting and decorating, upgrading, major repair work, alterations,
conversions, extensions and modernizations.

2. Monolithic Glazing - consists of a single sheet of glass formed using the float glass
manufacturing process. It is often modified for increased strength, improved insulating
capability, and safety glazing requirements. Brutalist Architecture uses smooth, transparent,
monolithic glazing in large openings to emphasize its mass and textured concrete surfaces.

3. Concrete Remediation - The process of fixing a hardened concrete surface that over time has
lost the ability to hold the binding concrete materials together due to damage or environmental
exposure. Concrete Remediation is appropriate for cracks, physical impacts, chipped out
surfaces or surface scaling.
1.3. Special Economic Zones

Special Economic Zones in the Philippines are selected areas that are highly developed and has
the potential to be developed into agri-industrial, tourist, recreational, commercial, banking,
investment and financial centers whose metes and bounds are fixed by Presidential
Proclamation. (TaxAcctg Center)

The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 or simply RA No. 7916 states that SEZ’s are established
as a separate customs territory to promote flow of local and foreign investments that would
generate employment opportunities by providing attractive climate and incentives for business
activities or other purposes.

Criteria for Establishment for Ecozones according to RA No. 7916:

The proposed area must be identified as a regional growth center in the Medium-Term
Philippine Development Plan or by the Regional Development Council;

 The existence of required infrastructure in the proposed ECOZONE, such as roads,

railways, telephones, ports, airports, etc., and the suitability and capacity of the
proposed site to absorb such improvements

 The availability of water source and electric power supply for use of the ECOZONE

 The extent of vacant lands available for industrial and commercial development and
future expansion of the ECOZONE as well as of lands adjacent to the ECOZONE available
for development of residential areas for the ECOZONE workers

 The availability of skilled, semi-skilled and non-skilled trainable labor force in and
around the ECOZONE

 The area must have a significant incremental advantage over the existing economic
zones and its potential profitability can be established

 The area must be strategically located

 The area must be situated where controls can easily be established to curtail smuggling
activities.