Filipino architects urge shift to climate-responsive, culturally rooted design
Architects Royal Pineda and Jorge Yulo are calling for a more purposeful approach to building design in the Philippines, emphasising climate-responsive architecture and cultural identity over short-term commercial interests. They argue that sustainability begins with fundamental planning decisions,
Filipino architects Royal Pineda and Jorge Yulo are calling for a more purposeful approach to building design, emphasising climate-responsive architecture, cultural identity, and functionality over visual appeal and short-term commercial interests. The pair spoke with BusinessWorld during the sendoff of the World Architecture Festival 2026 Finalists and CRIT book launch on 20 Oct at the Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2 in Makati.
For Mr Pineda, sustainability begins with the fundamental decisions made during planning and design stages, rather than with additional technologies installed after a building has been constructed. “In the basic planning, site selection, and fundamental structure of the architecture, if the bones are already correct, you don't need too much of what I would call a second line of defence or secondary solutions,” he said. In a tropical country such as the Philippines, this means designing buildings that maximise natural ventilation, provide shade, and allow daylight to enter without excessive heat, reducing dependence on air-conditioning and artificial lighting.
Mr Pineda applied these principles to the sports facilities in Clark, particularly the stadium and aquatic centre, where the design responds to airflow, heat, and site conditions. The architectural roof was raised, tilted, and extended to protect spectators from direct sunlight while allowing hot air to move upward. The aquatic centre did not need to be fully enclosed in glass because the water temperature required by the certifying body was already consistent with Philippine water conditions. He also drew from traditional Filipino architecture, applying the principles of the Bahay Kubo (nipa hut) without making the stadium resemble one.
Mr Yulo approaches architectural value from the perspective of regular occupants. “The people who spend the most time in a building are often the ones who experience it most deeply,” he said. He described designing features that reveal themselves over time “like designing a surprise for somebody you haven't even met yet.” He believes conversations about architecture should focus less on appearance and more on how buildings function, how they are assembled, and how people make them their own.
Mr Yulo also raised concerns about the loss of historical structures as older properties are demolished for new developments. “What we're getting wrong is our sense of historicity and preservation. There's still a strong trend of tearing down old buildings to make way for new ones. This is being done for the benefit of a few people's profits,” he said. He attributed the prevalence of bland, repetitive buildings partly to developers seeking quick returns on their investments. “That's why you get these cut-and-paste, bland buildings. They're focused on the bottom line,” he added.
