MARIA ANGELICA MACATUNO

11916657
ARCDS04 ODAR2

PUBLIC AVIARY

INTRODUCTION and BACKGROUND

As of 2021, the Philippines is made up of 7,641 islands, holding up a wonderful number of

species that take place nowhere else on the planet. As claimed by Moncabay in 2021, in the last decade,

eighty-six new endemic bird species have been described in the Philippines—more than all avian

endemics ever recorded in either China or India. Despite that, the country’s currently known 594 avian

species depend on grasslands, wetlands, and forests that are swiftly disappearing. On the IUCN Red list,

nearly one-sixth of Philippine birds are considered threatened, and more than 40 species (43%) are

listed as critically endangered. It is also stated that the country has the eighty-highest number of globally

threatened bird species, including true owls, hornbills, old world flycatchers and rare pigeons. Nearly

90% of avian species live in the lowlands and more than 70% are dependent on forests. Deforestation

for timber and agriculture has ravaged lowland forest cover in recent years.

From bees, fireflies, butterflies, birds to foxes, rodents, serpents, canines and felines, architects

are slowly undoing a lot of damage caused in the past. Animals, like plants, are one of the major

elements of urban ecosystem. Building’s modernization, contamination of environment and reducing of

city greenery make however significant decline in number of animal species in built-up areas. Creating

better architecture for animals seems like a viable option but only when it is done in a way that

contributes to the natural biodiversity, or such it doesn’t discomfort the animals in question.
PROBLEM STATEMENT

 According to a study published by Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, more species are at risk

than previously thought. The study looked at the effect of a range of ecological, biogeographical,

and life-history traits on avian extinction risk. Results indicate high forest dependency, narrower

elevational range, and larger body size heighten a species’ extinction risk.

 Other hazards include logging, which affects half of the Philippine’s threatened birds; hunting

and trapping, which affects more than one-third.

 Nearly 90% of Philippine avian species live in the lowlands and more than 70% are dependent on

forests. Deforestation for timber and agriculture has ravaged lowland forest cover in recent

years. 

GOALS, OBJECTIVES, RATIONALE

 Architecture accommodating birds within human lives while observing no harm to either

species; not for them to exist in captivity, but for them to exist in all environments such that

humans coexist with them.

 An aviary, a large enclosure for confining birds. It allows birds a larger living space where they

can fly; it is also sometimes known as flight cages. It also contains plants, shrubbery, etc. to

promote and stimulate a natural environment.

 An aviary that is about verticality and flying, it is about three-dimensional space. It is about

defining spaces for birds, not for humans.

THESIS STATEMENT

By using the method of environmental-conscious design (also called environmentally

sustainable design, eco design, etc.) is the philosophy of designing built environment, physical objects,

and services to comply with the principles of ecological sustainability. The intention is to eliminate

negative environmental impact completely through skillful and sensitive design.

REFERENCES:
 Shivagunde, K. (2021). Architecture for Animals- Should we build better or not at all? Retrieved
from https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/designing-for-typologies/a2367-architecture-for-
animals-should-we-build-better-or-not-at-all/?
fbclid=IwAR2gT77ce6Py_tWNMIeC6kgRXs32xkQraxNXsQ3EH4y80KOSNL41KPKzwAw
 Cowan, C. (2021, July 14). Philippines’ rich bird life is more threatened than we thought, study
says. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com/2021/07/philippines-rich-bird-life-is-more-
threatened-than-we-thought-study-says/
 Cosma, A. Architecture for Animals. Retrieved from https://www.arch2o.com/architecture-for-
animals/
 Nisa, Ar. Z., Ashraf, Ar. K. (2017, May). Sustainable and Environmentally Conscious Design: A
Solution to Mitigate Environmental Problems. Vol. 6 Issue 05. Published by
https://www.ijert.org/
 McLennan, J. F. (2004), The Philosophy of Sustainable Design.