Major natural disasters caused by climate change are becoming an unfortunate certainty worldwide. Prevention of these events is something that no single architect can accomplish, but preparation for them can be. To that end, Open Online Academy (OOAc) has challenged architects worldwide to design disaster-resistant architecture with their online course "Designing Resilient Schools." Architecture firm MAT-TER has responded to this challenge with a new design for Guiuan National High School in the Philippines, an area hit especially hard by last year’s Typhoon Haiyan. The design is a singular, compact structure designed to better withstand the forces of major storms, doubling as both a school and a community emergency shelter.
Constructed largely out of local bamboo, the building will be raised above the ground on a structural grid of concrete pilotis. This will allow for passive cooling, as well as protection from flood waters. The floor plan itself will rely on the bamboo modules of classrooms, offices, courtyards and other spaces of varying scale to create a durable structure. As the architects state: “We believe the aggregation of simple interconnected systems will create a more resilient architecture and provide a better sense of unity for a learning environment.”
All structural systems in the building will be clad in a lightweight skin. Most of these systems support the roof, a single fluid form designed to be as aerodynamic as possible to avoid damage from violent winds. It is punctured only by the courtyards housed centrally within the structure.
It is hoped that the design will be both constructed and completed later this year.
Project Name
Guiuan National High SchoolArchitects
Location
Guiuan, PhilippinesArchitects in Charge
Christin To, Hugo MartinezSocial and Feasibility Research/Development
Charles Dhinakaran, Javi Muriel SanturinoProject Year
2014Photographs
MAT-TERProject Name
Guiuan National High SchoolLocation
Guiuan, PhilippinesProject Year
2014Photographs
MAT-TER
