The International Competition for Sustainable Architecture and Design winners.

MANILA, Philippines — Global awareness towards climate change and the unmitigated size of our carbon footprint has prodded architects and designers to alleviate the problem through environmentally sound and sustainable schemes.

The Mapua Institute of Technology rose to the challenge as students from the graduating class from the School of Architecture, Industrial Design and the Built Environment (ARIDBE) bagged the gold award at the International Competition for Sustainable Architecture and Design (ICSAD) last September.

The competition called for entries for pro-poor and eco-efficient housing solutions using local materials and vernacular traditions in a modern context. Geared toward housing problem of the urban poor, ICSAD encourages a creative and multi-disciplinary approach in designing sustainable city development of the future. It is participated in by 20 schools and universities from across the globe, with two entries coming from MIT.

Rio Cielo F. Velasco, the representative of the team “Fusion”, presented the design solution to the panel of judges during the final leg of the competition and later received the award. Angeli-Kathryn Jalla, the representative of another team finalist under Archt. Albert S. Zambrano, likewise received their certificates as finalists.

The winning team, together with adviser architect Junar P. Tablan, received a one-week free accommodation at an environmentally friendly resort in Palawan, the chance to be involved in the design of the Zero Carbon Cottage for the EU co-funded “Zero Carbon Resorts” project, and publication of the entry in “Architect” journal in Japan.

The members of the graduating class are: Ada, Kristine C.; Cabrera, Juan Marco T.; Concepcion, Roy Q.; Gatus, Audrie Cristian M.; Guevara, Jomar R.; Kho, Michelle B.; Opulencia, Rona M.; Quinsay, Aliza G.; Trinidad, Sheryl P.; Velasco, Rio Cielo F.; and Yap, Analine P.