Benjamin G. Jacob Jr.

AR200-0/AR200-0F/AR200-0S A51
Architectural Design 9: Thesis Research Writing

INTEGRATING AQUAPONIC SYSTEMS FOR

VERTICAL URBAN FARMING: ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY IN METRO MANILA

Background of the Study:

Food security in the Philippines is dependent on the agricultural industry; as a result, difficulties
encountered by Filipino farmers and fishers frequently have a negative impact on food security,
particularly in metropolitan regions like Metro Manila. Along with the lack of agricultural lands and
unemployment, Metro Manila's expanding population has contributed to concerns and problems with food
security.

The negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic were felt by people all around the world
last year, posing a threat to food security. However, the issue of food security existed long before the
pandemic. Food security is under increasing strain as the world's population grows and cities develop.
More mouths to feed mean more people to feed, and as agricultural lands are transformed to suit
urbanization, many people are now hungry and malnourished.

According to Bagasina (2011), the government should support urban farming, similar to what
other countries have done in their own countries. Urban farming poses various advantages because of the
food security it is providing to communities especially in urban settings. The world population will
quadruple in 50 years, according to Bagasina (2011). New areas are needed to generate enough food for
everyone, according to studies. She also noted that urban agriculture and farming would not only help to
clean up our environment and tackle the problem of food security, but will also help to minimize the
consequences of climate change.

The study intends to promote aquaponics, an agricultural approach that blends traditional
aquaculture (growing aquatic animals in tanks) with hydroponics (plant cultivation in water). The goal of
the study is to solve food insecurity in Metro Manila, and to understand the methods, and identify the
benefits and drawbacks of using aquaponics system. To create a solution for aquaponic system-based
agricultural complexes in densely inhabited areas in Metro Manila.
Benjamin G. Jacob Jr.
AR200-0/AR200-0F/AR200-0S A51
Architectural Design 9: Thesis Research Writing

A STUDY ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF THE DESIGN OF PHYSICAL

SPACES OF PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH FACILITIES

Background of the Study:

Mental health conditions are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It makes up one-
third of the world's population. Given the growing number of individuals worldwide who are
experiencing mental health concerns and problems, nations like the Philippines are still trying to find a
solution to the problem of providing proper mental health care services. Some of the problems found in
providing effective mental health services in the Philippines included the lack of funding, a shortage of
skilled professionals and mental health workers, a lack of a framework for a mental health system, a
mental health law that hasn't been fully implemented, and a lack of teamwork and integration. In addition
to the problems and concerns already highlighted, a significant problem is the lack of facilities, for which
the standards of an appropriate and effective design were disregarded.

The built environments of mental health facilities can help in addressing the patients' basic
requirements for protection and safety, self-esteem, and the development of interpersonal and social
skills. It can also promote the interpersonal connections that are essential to treatment. According to
Conellan (2013), design elements including light, sound, communal areas, and art spaces have an impact
on mental health. A mental health facility's architecture and design might provide a therapeutic
atmosphere, curing patients just by the influence of its surroundings.

In order to understand the proper planning of these facilities, this research attempts to reevaluate
the effects of the physical spaces of the current psychiatric facilities in the Philippines. The spatial
features of these facilities—such as room colors, forms, and lighting—as well as their location and
surroundings will be assessed, and after that, the standards and recommendations for a well-planned
mental health facility will be considered in the design.
Benjamin G. Jacob Jr.
AR200-0/AR200-0F/AR200-0S A51
Architectural Design 9: Thesis Research Writing

A STUDY ON THE INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABLE CONCEPTS IN THE DESIGN OF

AGE-FRIENDLY LIVING ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE ELDERLY

Background of the Study:

In most nations, the elderly population is increasing relative to other age groups due to increased
life expectancies (Cracknell 2010). In the Philippines, there were four million persons over 65 in 2010,
and by 2022, there would be about seven million. This significantly increases the strain currently being
put on public resources. Additionally, with excessive energy use and the resulting carbon emissions are
significantly changing the patterns of the planet's climate, there are various problems with the current
facilities for the elderly, including the disregard of many of their needs, including comfort and medical
care.

Health concerns, demands on public resources, excessive energy use, and fuel poverty have
compelled authorities to look for alternatives to provide cheaper, more energy-efficient, and higher-
quality housing for the elderly. In order to effectively handle this issue, housing design for the elderly
must be carefully taken into account. Through the development and implementation of policies that can
ensure the specific needs of an ageing population, the goal is to consider the inclusion of elderly people in
sustainable housing developments.

With the intention of assisting the aged into a sustainable dwelling environment, the study's goal
was to investigate issues of design, energy efficiency, and technological integration. In order to create a
facility that recognizes and enhances the occupants' sense of their essential relationship with the natural
environment, it is important to understand how sustainable ideas in architecture relate to their
fundamental influence on their wellbeing as well as the environment.
Benjamin G. Jacob Jr.
AR200-0/AR200-0F/AR200-0S A51
Architectural Design 9: Thesis Research Writing

A STUDY ON ADAPTIBLE PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES AND ITS IMPACT ON

VERTICAL URBAN FARMING

Background of the Study

Resources on Earth are few and limited. A significant future challenge for our community is
increased by urbanization, growing population, and climate change. Food insecurity has emerged in
densely populated places as a result of the trend of rising urbanization. Finding solutions for sustainable
food sources also becomes a problem on how to manage and distribute the limited urban space as more
and more people move into urban areas. Due to the limited amount of land available, we must consider
new developments and alternative approaches to ensure food security in our society, particularly in
urban areas.

Vertical urban farming integration is one strategy used in metropolitan areas. A building that uses
both horizontal and vertical space to produce food is referred to as "vertical farming." With the help of the
concept of vertical farming, food can now be produced directly in urban areas in enormous quantities and
with minimal impact on the environment. It's a kind of indoor farming in vertical greenhouses.

According to Ned Carlos (2022), buildings today are so reliant on technology, such as artificial
lighting, air conditioning, and even electricity, that we have forgotten how to use renewable energy
sources, like solar, wind, and rain, which have been available for free ever since man first set foot on
earth. Numerous active and passive design solutions may be implemented to improve a building's energy
efficiency. To keep a building's temperature at a comfortable level, passive design works with the local
climate. Depending on the area, a good passive design should minimize or completely deal with the need
for supplemental heating or cooling. Building orientation, air sealing, continuous insulation, windows and
daylighting, as well as constructing a building to maximize natural ventilation options, are all examples of
passive design measures.

This study aims to adapt various passive design principles, strategies, and concepts. Investigating
their impacts and incorporating them into the design of vertical urban farms is another objective of the
study. Through passive design, this seeks to encourage the reduction of artificial energy usage, resulting
in more sustainable and energy-efficient vertical farms, as well as to harness elements of nature for
effective crop growth.