STANDARDS FOR BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE

STANDARDS FOR BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE Nearly half a century ago, the Philippines laid down the foundation for its construction industry through the National Building Code of the Philippines, officially known as Presidential Decree No. 1096. Signed into law in February 1977, the Code was groundbreaking for its time, offering standardized guidelines to ensure the safety and welfare of people inside buildings. Yet, 47 years later, it remains virtually untouched—except for an update to its Implementing Rules and Regulations in 2004. That’s right: while the world has charged ahead with green buildings, smart technologies, and climate-conscious design, our code has stood still. The question is: will the Philippines ever catch up? In a world where skyscrapers now harvest solar energy and office buildings use artificial intelligence to optimize everything from lighting to air quality, the Philippine building code still doesn’t mention what most modern developers now see as essential: sustainability, connectivity, and security. Yes, the current Code addresses structural safety, especially against natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes—a commendable and critical focus. But safety is no longer enough. Today, we need security: surveillance systems, automated access controls, and smart technologies that protect not just the integrity of buildings, but the people and assets within them. To be fair, security wasn’t top of mind in 1977. It’s understandable that the Code would be silent on biometric scanners or programmable logic controllers (PLCs). But we don’t live in 1977 anymore. Now, buildings must be green, smart, safe, and secure. And that means catching up to global benchmarks. For green construction, standards like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) are already widely accepted. When it comes to smart buildings, however, global standards are still emerging—though the standards for smart cities are clearer and more robust. Perhaps we can argue that a smart city can’t be smart if its buildings aren’t smart too. And a smart building can’t be called “smart” without fast and stable internet, integrated systems, and intelligent automation. In this context, we must also talk about technology. Smart buildings should be equipped with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Building Management Systems (BMS), Local Area Networks (LANs) and Internet of Things (IoT). They should automate HVAC systems, manage lighting intelligently, and monitor energy consumption in real time. Entry and exit points should use biometric systems—facial recognition, voice recognition, and Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS). These technologies also aid in contact tracing, a lesson we've learned the hard way during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than that, the buildings of the future must produce and manage their own energy and waste. Think solar panels, wind turbines, biogas digesters, sewage treatment plants (STPs), and materials recovery facilities (MRFs). Sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Which brings us to what must happen next. Revising the National Building Code should be a national priority. Our risks—earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis—are real and growing. But so are our opportunities to build better. We need a multi-agency task force to take this on, comprising the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), among others. But it can’t stop there. Major internet service providers—PLDT, Globe, Smart, Dito, Now Telecom, Starlink—must be at the table. So should architects’ groups like the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), NGOs, tech firms, and anyone with expertise in smart, clean, and secure buildings. The bottom line is this: The buildings of the future are already here—but not in the Philippines. Until we update our outdated code, we are building on borrowed time. So let us not ask if the Philippines will catch up. Let’s ask: When? And more importantly: Why not now? Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 06-03-2025