As cities and populations grow, the human impact on the environment is worsening, causing the destructive effects of climate change. Disasters such as flooding—especially in low-lying areas—have increased in recent years.
Developers are thinking out of the box to remedy the situation The need became clearer when Typhoon Ondoy struck in 2009, wreaking Php11 billion worth of damages across the region as rains totalling 556 mm flooded Metro Manila cities and submerged areas by as much as ten feet of water. The metropolis has since seen the worsening effects of floods with infrastructure, roads, and vehicles taking big hits.
While working on his first home project in 2009, corporate executive John Aguilar, saw the magnitude of the devastation wrought by the rampaging floodwaters. Aguilar’s house-in-progress was almost damaged, in fact, kudos to the higher ground where it was built on.
“The Ondoy experience got us thinking: why not build a house that can adapt to flooding and is inspired by a time-tested Filipino home model?” said Aguilar. “That’s how the idea of Project: Smart Home, was born.”
Stranded, but safe
Aguilar, a producer at Philippine Realty TV (PRTV), partnered with the Buensalido + Architect firm for a flood-responsive home.
“We used the concept of the traditional Filipino home—the bahay kubo—to design the Smart Home,” said Jason Buensalido, the chief architect of the project. “Since the first floors are the first thing hit when floodwaters rise, we made sure that our homes are designed to start from the second floor up, like the elevated bahay kubo.”
The first floor of the three-storey Smart Home has a space for cars, a covered multi-functional portion, a small pocket garden, and the stairs leading to the main entryway. Instead of a communal area, the bedrooms are located on the second floor while the living, dining, and kitchen area on the top-most floor.
Buensalido said the open-space of the communal area is where those who are stranded can stay while awaiting rescue.
“With the kitchen on the top-most floor, stranded residents will still have access to food and water as it’s the least likely place that floodwaters will reach,” Buensalido explained. “Plus, it’s the best place to safeguard all their appliances and electronics, like the TV and refrigerator.”
Can’t wait
Among the features that differentiate the Smart Home from normal townhomes, are its two floating platforms: the floating carport and the Regenerative Amphibious Floating Terraces (RAFTs).
The floating carport is a platform that one’s car sits on the moment it comes into garage. In the event of flooding, it will safely float with and above the rising waters.
The RAFT, on the other hand, is a floating balcony connected to the second level that can be detached from the entire structure to provide a safe escape for residents.
Aguilar also used a wall panel system that contains an EPS core—known commonly as Styrofoam—to allow a generally cooler indoor temperature. Solar Panels and LED lighting, on the other hand, keep the carbon footprint of the smart home to a minimum.
“By injecting technology and innovation into home designs to create out-of-the-box ideas, we are making homes in the country more flood and climate-responsive,” said Aguilar. “We can’t wait to see how homes across the Philippines can adapt our ideas, and how this kind of change can affect the country’s responsiveness to drastic changes in our climate.”
