Convention reveals survival guide for Filipino architects

CULTURAL PLANNING is the strategic and integrated planning and use of cultural resources for economic and community development. Above is the Vigan Cathedral altar. Photo by Amado de Jesus & Associates—Green Architecture

There is nothing like a string of natural calamities of unprecedented forces to stir the survival instincts in all of us. For the country’s thousands of architects, such events have forced them to literally go back to the drawing boards to rethink, unlearn and relearn their profession.

The more than 32,000 registered and licensed Filipino architects listed with the Philippine Regulation Commission has been seen as a potent force to effect a paradigm shift in architectural policies that would address the most pressing issues of global climate change and the environment.

Of the 32,000 architects, 28,000 (or nearly 90 percent) are members of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP). And in what UAP sees as a major step in moving the country’s architecture industry toward one goal, the organization will hold its national convention from April 9 to 12 at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.

The overriding agenda in this year’s convention is Mother Nature, and how to place her as the central figure in every architect’s design.

UAP national president Rozanno Rosal, in a statement to Inquirer Property, cited that the human beings’ past and current activities have left a significant footprint on the planet and on nature, and that Earth seems to be lashing back at man for the wanton destruction of the environment.

“As inhabitants cannot turn things around anymore, architects can, however, adapt and help mitigate the effects by rethinking our relationship with the Earth, knowing that it is our very lives at stake in this endeavor in the way we design and do things in the exercise of our profession,” he said.

UAP added that its members have openly expressed their intentions to create responsible, sustainable designs, which would effect positive changes for many generations to come.

The convention, which hopes to generate the most innovative and creative ideas for environmentally responsible architecture, will be discussing topics such as: 1) Survival architecture; 2) Emergency architects 3) Architects and innovation, harnessing untapped resources; 4) Architecture as a platform for nation building; 5) A plea for sanity: Eat arts; and 6) Uniting stakeholders in building Catholic churches. It will also host seminars of international professionals.

The business of architecture will also be discussed. Topics in this category include: 1) Keeping the straight path: professionalism and ethics in practice; 2) Archion architects: out-of-the-box practices; 3) future-proofing the design practice; 4) The building blocks of an architectural firm; 5) Managing an architectural office; 6) The practice: getting projects; 7) Law: It’s all Greek to Me; 8) Accounting, finance and taxation for architects.

Resource persons will focus on every architect’s goal to be unified in spirit, sentiment and purpose: to push the organization forward, help build the nation and, by their profession, nurture Mother Earth.

The convention’s theme is “ONE: Organization-movers, Nation-builders, Earth-keepers.” UAP, jointly with the Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects (UAP-IAPOA), is celebrating the 40th edition of the national convention.

“With all the gifts the Filipino architects are individually bestowed upon, we raise our practice to higher standards, (all the while) not forgetting our nation and our people,” Rosal explained.