Designing for disaster and climate resiliency

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines, being a tropical country, is on the path of at least 20 typhoons annually, with each one having the potential to wreak havoc on people’s homes and property. We’ve seen the power of these typhoons in damaging private property, particularly in 2013 during the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest typhoon to ever make landfall in the country.

With winds of up to 315 km/h and a storm surge of up to 15 feet in height, Super Typhoon Yolanda obliterated everything on its path—trees, power lines, billboards, electric lampposts, windows of buildings, homes, and lives. In the aftermath of the disaster, the people of Tacloban began to realize how important it is to design their homes so that it can withstand the brute force of nature. Disaster and climate resiliency became the trend in designing homes, not just in Tacloban but also throughout the country.

A paradigm shift

According to architect Joel Jao, UAP, many of the architects and building industry professionals in Eastern Visayas already have a consciousness inculcated in them by Super Typhoon Yolanda regarding the quality of houses, buildings, and other structures to withstand another devastation from an equally strong or even stronger typhoon than that of Yolanda.

“As I’ve always noticed, the priority of clients nowadays has already shifted from cost sensitiveness to quality attentiveness. Before our region was hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda, a client will normally approach a foreman and say, ‘Can you please build me just a single-story house. My budget is too tight, only this much; can you still make it a little cheaper?’ After they have seen the catastrophe, a client would now approach a professional architect and say, ‘Can you please design a house for me? Please make it two stories with a roof deck and make sure that it is strong enough for another typhoon. Are you sure it is already resilient?’” Jao explains.

For Jao, the disaster reshaped the usual mindset or norm of being prudent and economical, which suddenly triggered an encouraging outcome to the design and construction industry in the region.

“It created a positive impact to both architects and builders as well as clients. And I suppose that goes to the hardware stores as well because more clients will now prefer and will be requiring standard and quality materials,” Jao says.

He notes that Taclobanons nowadays prefer having roof decks instead of GI-sheet roofing, most of which were blown off during the typhoon. They are also now more concerned about using huge windows and the type of window materials. Most clients prefer window materials that prevent water from coming in during typhoons.

Combining aesthetics and resiliency

While disaster and climate resiliency has become the norm in designing homes in Tacloban, in terms of interior design, people still stick to what they think is beautiful and would bring out the best of their home’s interior.

Interior designer and Tacloban-native Leo Lino Almeria, FPIID, MCHS, noted this in the houses he visited in the city after Super Typhoon Yolanda.

“I have observed a variety of interesting and captivating design schemes both for residential and commercial applications. Since the 2013 Yolanda experience, we have aspired and achieved global perspectives to improve our lifestyle today. I am amazed to see designs schemes from traditional to very contemporary, experimental and even avant-garde expressions of lifestyles especially among the young,” Almeria says.

This is a surprising fact given that in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, one would expect residents to be more prudent and economical when it comes to interior design. One would think of using materials that are locally available and easily disposable in the event of another calamity. But Taclobanons remain focused on interior design that suits their lifestyle, budget and personal expression. Their homes are proof that you can be disaster and climate resilient while having aesthetic home interiors at the same time.

With the opening of Wilcon Depot Tacloban today, residents can achieve just that with its great selection of reasonably priced and quality construction materials and home improvement products. The store carries some the most relied upon brands when it comes to construction and finishing materials, as well as kitchen and bathroom fixtures, furniture, appliances, lighting, accessories, electrical equipment and tools, both residential and commercial applications.

“I think the opening of Wilcon Depot in Tacloban will be a great help to the local residents to achieve their interior design aspirations. They will experience first hand a variety of readily available merchandise at affordable prices. It also has well-appointed vignettes showcasing interesting and practical ideas or concepts for the home, etc. And most of all, it has the service and expertise,” Almeria says.

Wilcon Depot Tacloban, which opens today, is located along the National Highway, Purok Santol, Barangay 80 (Marasbaras), Tacloban City.