‘Architecture and planning in the new normal’

How critical is the role of architecture, design and planning in ensuring that one is able to adapt to the “new normal” amid the COVID-19 pandemic?

History has long shown how building designs, practices, spatial planning, material selections and standards have evolved over the past centuries in response to the challenges of a particular period. Natural calamities, pandemics and other disasters, for instance, called for innovative ways of designing buildings and spaces for a new purpose. In many cases, architecture, design and urban planning had been key in enabling people to create better communities that can adapt to the “new normal” of their time.

As the country and the rest of the world now face an unprecedented health crisis, architecture is again well poised to play a crucial role in creating a better, safer, healthier and more livable built environment, especially in the post-pandemic era.

On June 6, the Property Section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer will host a webinar titled “Architecture and Planning in the New Normal,” which will look into how structures, spaces and the built environment can be recreated or transformed to address one’s changing needs in the time of COVID-19 and beyond. It will also provide a platform for industry experts to share their insights, best practices and recommendations.

This webinar, the third to be hosted by the Property Section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, is being done in collaboration with Inquirer.net, Icon Executive Asia and Shoppertainment. It is supported by Ortigas Land, Alveo Land, Avida Land and Wilcon Depot.

Onboard this exciting discussion are some of the country’s esteemed architects including Ar. Joel Luna, founder and principal of Joel Luna Planning and Design, a masterplanning and architectural design firm which he started in 2017. He is a registered architect, environmental planner and a certified Berde professional, with over 30 years of design experience covering the fields of architecture, planning, urban design and design management.

Also part of the panel are Ar. Mike Torres, co-founder and president/CEO of ArchiGlobal and who has extensive knowledge and expertise in planning, architecture, interior design and design management; Ar. William Ti Jr., the principal architect and founder of WTA Architecture and Design Studio, whose 15 years of experience saw him working on projects ranging from commercial and housing developments to bridges and stadiums; and Ar. Jason Buensalido, principal architect and chief design ambassador of Buensalido Architects, a design firm that is committed to introduce fresh, bold and innovative concepts in the Philippine design setting.

Inquirer Property Section editor Theresa Samaniego and Ar. Vittoria Lou Mawis-Aliston will moderate the session, which starts at 2 p.m.

You can watch the webinar live and for free on the Facebook page of Inquirer.net and join the discussion by sending your questions via the comments section.