On December 12, 2019 a seminar with a theme "ReGREEENeration towards: towards

zero carbon buildings, the ZCR cottage” was conducted at ritz tower de Leyte, Tacloban City
hosted by the 4th year- C architecture students of Eastern Visayas State University.

The said seminar is open for all architecture students to further promote green
architecture as an adaptable ways to our changing environment. The keynote speaker of the
seminar was none other than Ar. Edgardo Mallari, uap, GreenAP, Digital & Media Director of
Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines.

Earlier 10 o'clock in the morning the program finally started with an invocation, singing
of the national anthem, followed by the opening remarks then finally the seminar proper. Mr.
Mallari divided his talks into four parts that centered towards steps on creating zero carbon
building. Part one for introduction, part two discussed the move towards zero carbon buildings,
part three is about the presentation of the Zero Carbon Resort (ZCR) Project together with it's
design and technology, and part four calls for challenge towards sustainability by green
architecture.

Firstly, Mr. Mallari discussed the importance of every design and non design profession
in creating steps toward zero carbon buildings adaptable to the changing environment. Whether
you are an architect, an engineer, a constructor, a product specialist, a manufacturer or even the
project client itself -all must call for an action on how to get involved in creating a shift from
conventional architecture to sustainable one. He also emphasized the importance of using
indigenous products or materials that are grown locally. For example is the bamboo that is
abundant in the country. These type of material has often been misconceptualiazed as poor
materials in construction, but actually this is not true because with the right season and right
treatment it is the best material creating both stability and sustainability.

The traditional buildings in the country like the bahay kubo or nipa house really works
interms of passive cooling and energy efficient. However through the modernization, new type
of materials have been introduced like steel and concrete that contribute to the high level of
carbon in the world. Because of technology new forms of complex buildings were emerging
exponentially. Meanwhile we cannot deny the fact that are natural resources is slowly depleting.
We are in "performative age" having excess in design disallowing the idea of "form follows
function" given that we have only finite resources.
 The Zero Carbon Resort (ZCR) Project proves that sustainable development doesn't
require large scale projects to have a huge impact. ZCR project is medium project costs only one
million peso that is energy autonomous already. This is an initiative to lessen the carbon
footprints of establishments, particularly those in the tourism industry, using the 3R
Methodology of Reduce, Replace, and Redesign. The first step was to reduce the energy
consumption in hotels and resorts, and the second step was to replace inefficient fossil-based
devices with better, greener technologies. In the Redesign stage, a showcase "Zero Carbon
Cottage" had been built in Palawan, which operated using solar- and biomass-based energy
generation systems

The ZCR project uses technology and innovative techniques in construction that allows
an energy efficient design. Mr. Mallari earnestly showed us the design approach and techniques
of the project from its site development plan, its floor plan and sections, roof plan and its ceiling
plan. The building is tilted by a butterfly roofing that allows rainwater harvesting system. The
walls are modular for easy replacement incase it is already rotten. The ceiling is ornately
designed using bamboo so it will look more fascinating. It is also amazing how the utilization of
bamboo as its building material made an overall impact to the whole structure, its environment
and to the people.

The abundance of bamboo in the country as considered to be one of the fastest growing
plant in the world with its high carbon dioxide exchange rate, it is considered as the best
alternative timber. Mr. Mallary explained the importance of bamboo to be treated for it to last as
a building material. Aside from using chemicals available commercially like boric acid, there are
certain ways for it be treated. What they did in the ZCR is a noninvasive way by gathering all the
bamboo they need and soaking it in a 30 meters deep seawater exposing them to a great pressure
that drives away the natural sap inside the bamboo so that the insects will get away from it.

The ZCR project is now a museum and learning center allowing different institutions,
schools and universities both foreign and local to visit and see how the sustainability of the
design made possible.

My personal learnings on this seminar is the importance of sustainable development by

fostering innovative and environment conscious design. Development cannot stand alone without
its natural resources. We humans have limited imaginations in creating our design however our
resources is limited. We need to be creative in finding solutions on how we can adapt to the
changing environment.

The true soul of architecture is not only limited in creating complex forms but it has
something to do in creating forms that would create life and not to destroy it. I think architecture
is the bridge towards the gap between modernization and the environment. We create designs
that would build a stronger future at the same time without compromising our environment.

As we look forward to the future, I guess it's time for is to invest in "Green Architecture "
allowing sustainable growth and development. We must stop the designing just to impress or
designing base on what is trending but allow our minds to see wider visions and that is making
this world a better place to live in. Let's be an advocate of change that starts within our selves.