David, Juan Miguel B.
Archi 202 – Qualitative Research
November 09, 2018
An Irrepressible House
Incorporation of Flood Design with Tropical Architecture Specifically in Low Lying Urban Areas.
I. INTRODUCTION
In a world where change lingers to threaten the quality of life of the people in terms of our
way of living, such as the congestion of metropolitan areas, health hazards, and the infamous
global climate change (Bauer, 2010, p.10)1, they find a way to craft something that inevitably beats
nature with the assistance of science and state of the art technologies, which lead to modernizing
the new world.
With over 7,107 islands, the coastline of the Philippines is longer than the coastline of the
United States which extends to 235, 973 square kilometers (Llanto, G.M., 2005, p.3)2. These
bodies of waters border the country to create countless opportunities to Filipinos. Not only
opportunities, but grave threats haunt the people yearly, particularly the forces of nature.
In the Philippines today, the country has been struck by numerous storms, floods, and
earthquakes for the past decade, leaving millions of people and infrastructures affected in their
wake. Typhoon Haiyan, local name “Yolanda”, is an example of a dark history the whole world
witnessed last 2013. This powerful storm devastated the eastern part of the country with a death
toll of 6,340 people as per reports with massive winds and gigantic surges. Even country’s capital
has also been ravaged by monster storms. Typhoon Ketsana, local name “Ondoy”, made a direct
fall on Metro Manila, rising the toll of 464 fatalities, and disrupting the cities (“Philippines: A Crucial
First Step to Address Metro Manila’s Floods”, para. 4)3 due to extreme flooding.
Experiencing these disasters, Filipino people has ever been united especially in times of
turmoil, making them spirited and resilient (“Resilience in the Philippines”, para. 11)4. Filipino
people, despite the catastrophes they confronted, they still continue to show their smile, support
and hope to one another that they can stand up once again on their feet (“Philippines: ‘Filipino
People Are Strong and Resilient’”, para. 3)5.
Seeing how Filipinos thrive in different circumstances, it is not very surprising how the
world admired these people when it comes to their responsibilities, awareness, and unity. Filipino
people deserve a chance to live the life they want without sacrificing others and suffering from the
1 Bauer, M., Mosle, P., and Schwarz, M., (2010). Green Building – Guidebook for Sustainable Architecture. Stuttgart,
Germany: Callwey Verlag Munich.
2 Llanto, G.M, Basilio, E.L., Basilio, L. (2005). Competition Policy and Regulation in Ports and Shipping. Philippine
Institute for Developmental Studies.
3 Warwick, M., (2017, September 29). Philippines: A Crucial First Step to Address Metro Manila’s Floods [Web Log
Post]. Retrieved from http://blogs.worldbank.org/eastasiapacific/philippines-a-cruciala-firsta-step-to-address-metro-
manila-floods
4 McCord, J.M., (2013, November 13). Resilience in the Philippines – Communities show tenacity and hope after
Typhoo Haiyan. Retrieved from https://www.rare.org/stories/resilience-philippines
5 Ruiz, S. and Wuthrich, T., (2015, March 6). Philippines: ‘Filipino People Are Strong and Resilient’. Retrieved from
https://canadianglobalresponse.ca/philippines-filipino-people-are-strong-and-resilient/
1|Page
destruction of such calamities. Filipino people deserves a perfect and well – off life, not a resilient
one.
I.1. Statement of the Problem
In Metro Manila, flood has become a severe problem year in and year out partly due to
global climate change. Thousands and thousands of people suffer every year because of major
floodings in the low – lying areas. With unending dramatic phenomenon of climate change, sea
levels will continue to rise (Smith, P., 2005, p. 8)6, making it a cause of headache for urban
managers and local government administrations.
Considering these conditions, it may be safe to say that modifications on the design of
houses would be appropriate. In line with this, this research would look into how tropical design
solutions can impart innovations that will make houses resilient to floodings.
It advances the idea that proper design applying the principles of Tropical Architecture
may be able to contribute in addressing the challenges of climate change. The study expects a
model or prototype of houses that features strong attributes that counter the ill – effects of
floodings. On top of it, it will organize a body of knowledge about innovations of housing designs
that features solutions that address the challenges of climate change through tropical design.
I.2. Key Research Questions
1. What is the height of the rise of the water level from the last 20 years, and projected to the
next 20 years?
2. What is the government’s projection and assessment regarding the above problems and
their possible solutions?
3. What is the current status of the people living in fear of getting their houses flooded every
time a torrential rainfall occurs?
4. Are the people going to afford an irrepressible house? What materials are going to be
used?
5. What will be the overall design of the house in terms of tropical architecture, its
sustainability and resiliency?
6. How is the structural integrity of the house going to withstand flood water?
I.3. Significance of the Study
This study signifies two major points with different aspects in relation to people affected,
improving one’s life and maximizing the capability of the land the house is residing. The proposed
development will be an illustration of future development and innovation of a typical house of the
city, and will eventually lead to further research of such preventive procedures for other natural
calamities that may come about. As such, this project will benefit in the following aspects:
6Smith, P., (2005). Architecture in a Climate of Change – A Guide to Sustainable Design. Oxford, UK: Elsevier,
Architectural Press.
2|Page
I.3.1 Architectural Significance
This will be mainly a mixture of Resilient Architecture, Sustainable Architecture,
and Tropical Architecture which can be provided with a 21st century design and can be
applied to almost all houses that are prone to flooding. The project will be an epitome of
the next contemporary house designs will be. This can redefine resiliency and tropical
architecture in a whole new level in terms of livability and adaptability to future climatic
conditions.
I.3.2 Safety
Designing houses comes with protection of man against the forces of nature.
Houses no longer protecting the people inside of it ignores the purpose of the design. An
innovation of such houses can relive one of the main purpose of a house which is
promoting safety to the man inside of it from any other disturbances.
I.4. Scope and Limitation
This study calls for a design, theory, or a guideline that can redefine tropical architecture
that can incorporate new ways to defend people and houses from the flood rising from the low
lying communities in Marikina City, specifically Barangay Concepcion Dos. The present condition
of half of Concepcion Dos shall be the basis of the scope and reference of this topic. This study
is mainly focused on the feasibility of the project, as well as covering case studies of other people
experiencing such calamity. Stated below are the scope and limitations of this project:
- Providing a new design for tropical architecture considering flood as a major factor in low
lying community areas given the data that can be gathered.
- Providing case studies that can provide feasibility of the project and can relate to the
present problems of flood to people and their houses.
- Providing new sustainability and resiliency to the houses affected by floods in relation to
the new house design.
- Updating guidelines of tropical architecture in relation to the Global Climate change facing
today.
This scope and limitations shall not be limited to the given statements above. This shall
be the guideline of the researcher to achieve the study and to provide results that can solve the
problem statement of this project.
I.5. Expected Project Output
With proper data that can be gathered, possible outputs of this research can be generated.
Such outputs can be:
3|Page
I.3.1. Conceptual Development
Without a concept, any design of structure cannot be completely effective and will
possibly be chaotic. The major output of this project is an innovative design of a house
being a flood proof home. To be a revolutionary design, one must consider developing a
concept that will serve as its roots and foundations.
I.3.2. Design Solution
A new scheme or design can be formulated after considering all the facts and
figures congregated and future problems that can arise in the matter. Production of
prototype or model of the design can be proposed for better understanding of the solution
to the problem.
I.3.3. Further Research
This study can cover countless topics, but such topics can be deliberated further
by a different research that can also lead into more understanding of the problem. This
study can be the baseline of the other potential research studies.
I.3.4. Public Awareness/ Additional Knowledge or Information
As this problem is mainly the concern of the public or anyone affected, this can be
a study that can be of new information to these people, and as such, they can reflect on
their sense of living with their household in their particular area.
4|Page
