LAPATING, RYAN JAY C.

DESIGN STATEMENT
Flooding in residential areas typically has an isolating effects on families and individuals
stranding them on small island- their home. They have the saying of “There’s no place like home” but
in case of flood, how can we make sure that our home is the safest place to stay at?

SALBA is a collision of contemporary and classical filipino home which is designed to conquer 3
major disasters in the philippines- floods,typhoons and earthquake. It is an innovation but low cost
structure that improves the basic needs of human settlements which introduces a resilient type of
structure yet a new design in the environmental system.Its objective is to design an innovative
structure that may open the idea of amphibious houses. The Amphibious house is the antithesis of
these static solutions, it is a dynamic response to a dynamic problem. The concept of Amphibious
house is concerned primarily with successful architecture that has influenced key design decisions and
shaped aesthetically to a degree but has never compromised the achievement of a successful living
environment . Floods often cause damaged to homes and businesses if they are in the natural flood
prone area just like in Malabon. So this proposal is located at Barangay Dampalit, Malabon City for it
is the most area in Malabon that is always drown by the flood.

Meanwhile, earthquake is also one of the most disastrous happenings that may cause small to
big damages in a house and structure. And with the distinct feature of this amphibian house , it
emphasize how it can withstand in flash floods, earthquake, and typhoons. The sustainable use of
architecture through the adoption of the indigenous materials with the use of modernized construction
and technology makes this proposal possible. Rather than relying on the traditional design of a stilt
houses, amphibian houses is an innovative tool in dealing with floods. It relies on the flexible pipes that
expand, which would allow the house to stay operational during a flood. This architectural approach is
about adapting to floods through minor alterations, which are triggered by rising water levels. Rather
than forcing residents to flee from floods or move away entirely from flood zones, floating houses
allow people to remain in their homes during flood. The design combines the benefits of floating and
static solutions in a single dwelling. The lightweight ground floor accommodation is to be constructed
on a raft foundation system that can float when immersed in flood that resist potential horizontal
bending moments caused by the flow of flood water. The Amphibious House allows for a contemporary
lifestyle within its modern living spaces.

This proposal used various techniques and materials to attain a sustainable and innovative
design to the structure. First technique is the 65 degree angle roof for it is proven to sustain and conquer
strong winds. It also used the base-isolation system in which the structure will move in an earthquake’s
motion and can sustain extensive damage as result. This technique is one of the most powerful tools of
earthquake engineering pertaining to the passive structural vibration control technologies. The materials
used in walls are bamboos for it makes a light and flexible house that is much better than “modern”
materials at surviving earthquake. For the sustainability of the structure, galvanized aluminum framing
is used because steel production uses a considerable amount of pre- and post- consumer recycled
products. This structure also used a vertical guide post, that will guide the whole structure while rising
when the flood strives, the wielded metal drums which is the main solution in floating the house, and
the concrete barge that will hold the house.

Rather than relying on the traditional design of a stilt houses, amphibian houses is an
innovative tool in dealing with floods and earthquakes. The design combines the benefits of floating
and static solution in a single dwelling. With this circumstances, flood risk and earthquake management
needs to be viewed in a much more joined up manner, so that we can continue to develop areas where
people want to live and protected from flooding, earthquake and typhoons.