Young's views on sustainable construction honored in Holcim contest

MANILA, Philippines - One urged builders to look back at Philippine history for ideas on building sustainable structures instead of indiscriminately adapting Western construction principles. Another reminded that going green does not involve just the structure itself, but holistic benefits for the residents and community. A third focused on roofing, and how this single building component can be used to reverse the negative effects of climate change and not just a shield against the elements.

Joaquin Carlos Urbiztondo de Jesus, a 21-year old Development Studies major from Ateneo de Manila University, won the top award with his essay “Utilizing our Heritage for Modern and Sustainable Construction: A Must”.

He bested 34 other students from 14 schools nationwide to win P50,000 in cash plus a three-day stay in Singapore to attend the regional awarding ceremony of the Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction next year.

In his entry, De Jesus noted that builders have abandoned local design ideas that go well with sustainable construction targets in favor of modern concepts that are not necessarily better for building sustainably.

“We try to break free from the past but sadly, oftentimes, we are left with outcomes that are frustrating and chaotic. However, this shouldn’t be the case. When we take a look at our heritage, we realize that in our engagement with modernity, we find wisdom in the construction techniques and aesthetics of the past,” he wrote.

Advertising industry maven and Cultural Center of the Philippines Chairman Emily Abrera, who served as a judge for the contest, was heartened that the students who participated were not only limited to those taking up engineering and architecture - but from a range of courses.

“The interest in the greening of our approach to development runs across so many disciplines and that is reflected in this competition,” Abrera said and reiterated that we should underestimate the capability of young people to generate insights on important issues like sustainable construction.

 “Although we picked winners today, the biggest winner is the country because of the promise that we saw in the essay become, and we hope that becomes a reality,” Abrera added.

Holcim Philippines chief operating officer Roland van Wijnen also praised the contestants for their participation, and urged them to keep the creativity and optimism they showed in their essays.

“I truly believe that the call for sustainable construction and sustainability in general are gaining momentum,” said van Wijnen. “But we need to give more context and content, we need to share more insights and combine past lessons, with future discoveries. And we need more young people like you who believe in this advocacy.”

The just-concluded essay contest forms part of the Holcim Philippines Journalism Awards, which has a student category and media category. These awards supplement the global Holcim Awards on Sustainable Construction - now on its third cycle - which is open for entries until March 23, 2011.

At stake are cash prizes of over P300,000 and a trip to Singapore to participate in the regional Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction.

Through the Holcim Journalism Awards, the Company aims to encourage more in-depth discussion of sustainable construction by rewarding excellent print reportage about the subject.

For more details, please log on to: www.holcimjournal ismaward.com