PROPERTY developers, both for recreational and residential development, agree that green living will become an industry norm in the post-COVID era.
Italian Architect Romolo Nati, CEO of Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC), a listed real estate company, has made green building design and building sustainable developments in Philippine’s provinces his credo.
“The use of passive green features such as increased natural ventilation and shaded facades, together with the production of renewable energy through the use of photovoltaic panels and water recycling, make possible to deliver to the end-user greater comfort and a lighter energy and water consumption without a substantial cost increase,” he said.
In simple terms, a ‘green’ building is a building that minimizes or eliminates adverse aspects and can create positive results on our natural environment through its design, construction, and operation. Almost all green buildings are sustainable, preserve precious natural resources, and improve our quality of life.
Nati said the same design philosophies will also address demand for health and comfort in the post-COVID market by ensuring direct access to fresh air, indirect natural light, energy production and reduced water consumption.
It will also uplift natural aesthetic in key locations close to supply chains but far from congested and polluted environments.
Nati said IDC is well-prepared to overcome and remain relevant as it faces today’s challenges.
“Since its inception, IDC has always focused its development on the provinces and leveraged the significant growth potential of well-chosen sites outside Metro Manila. Considering the recent scenario, and Balik Probinsya type of programs, and the projected reverse-migration from congested urban agglomerations, IDC’s strategy has become even more acutely relevant than before,” Nati said.
In addition to relevant geographic positioning, Nati says IDC’s existing products will also increase in relevance in the post-Covid market.
He said IDC is a design-driven real estate developer, and all its products feature sustainable, green design.
IDC buildings are certified green by EDGE (Excellence in Design for a Greater Efficiency) which is a Green Rating System developed by IFC (International Finance Corporation) which is part of the World Bank Group.
“As such, IDC’s value proposition is not only uncompromised, but also accentuated by the ongoing Covid-19 scenario. We are now taking steps to stay abreast of market sentiment so that we can continue to fine-tune our product offerings and be even more relevant to the market in the post-pandemic period than ever before,” he said.
Nati said the enhanced community quarantine to combat the COVID-19 pandemic also showed the importance of green living to people’s lives.
“I believe the bottom line is that people now understood how important is to live in a healthier surroundings. In green, open, and natural environments the exposure to sun light has proven to hamper the spreading of the virus. Fresh air and a connection to the outdoors has also become important for our mental health,” he said.
“All those practices are already part of the so called green architecture and sustainable design in general. Now, however, the impetus is not only from a global, environmental level, but also from a personal level, in placing a greater emphasis on what’s healthiest for ourselves as well (and not just for the planet),” he said.
Nati expects more architects to take into consideration more and more the relationship between the built environment and the out-door spaces both in horizontal and in vertical developments.
“Mid-rise and high-rise buildings should also have a dialogue with nature and the outdoors. This is not something that should be looked by designers of multi-story buildings. At the same time, comfortable indoor spaces will definitely become more relevant in case of more prolonged indoor living,” he said.
“We can be sure there will be a lot of innovations in those areas of design to offer a more comfortable environment for its residents,” he said.
“We are presently living in a time when the future looks doubtful. With coronavirus growing across the world and no cure in sight as of now, we no longer know what the future has in store for humanity. Public gatherings have been halted, schools and universities are closed, businesses are closed, the global economy is in shambles, countries are tapping emergency public funds, and we, humans, are shut in our homes. These are certainly unusual times,” Nati said.
IDC is a design driven developer of sustainable properties focused on emerging cities in the Philippines. Nati and Atty. Jose Leviste, III, a Filipino lawyer, established IDC.
