Chapter II

Related Literature:
a.) Abroad:
Biomimetic Application at Zimbabwe:
“Termites in Zimbabwe build gigantic mounds inside of which they farm a fungus that is
their primary food source. The fungus must be kept at exactly 87 degrees F, while the
temperatures outside range from 35 degrees F at night to 104 degrees F during the day. The
termites achieve this remarkable feat by constantly opening and closing a series of heating
and cooling vents throughout the mound over the course of the day. With a system of
carefully adjusted convection currents, air is sucked in at the lower part of the mound, down
into enclosures with muddy walls, and up through a channel to the peak of the termite
mound. The industrious termites constantly dig new vents and plug up old ones in order to
regulate the temperature.”

“The Eastgate Centre, largely made of concrete, has a ventilation system which operates
in a similar way. Outside air that is drawn in is either warmed or cooled by the building mass
depending on which is hotter, the building concrete or the air. It is then vented into the
building’s floors and offices before exiting via chimneys at the top. The complex also
consists of two buildings side by side that are separated by an open space that is covered by
glass and open to the local breezes.”

“Air is continuously drawn from this open space by fans on the first floor. It is then
pushed up vertical supply sections of ducts that are located in the central spine of each of the
two buildings. The fresh air replaces stale air that rises and exits through exhaust ports in the
ceilings of each floor. Ultimately it enters the exhaust section of the vertical ducts before it is
flushed out of the building through chimneys.”

“The Eastgate Centre uses less than 10% of the energy of a conventional building its size.
These efficiencies translate directly to the bottom line: Eastgate’s owners have saved $3.5
million alone because of an air-conditioning system that did not have to be implemented.
Outside of being eco-efficient and better for the environment, these savings also trickle down
 to the tenants whose rents are 20 percent lower than those of occupants in the surrounding
buildings.”
Fehrenbacher J. (2012, Nov. 11). BIOMIMETIC ARCHITECTURE: Green Building in
Zimbabwe Modeled After Termite Mounds. Retrieved from: https://inhabitat.com/building-
modelled-on-termites-eastgate-centre-in-zimbabwe/

b.) Local:
Biomimcry in the Philippines:
“For Primavera Residences, for instance, ITPI took inspiration from an anthill. One of its
most prominent passive green features, the central column in the middle of every building,
takes its cue from the hollow opening to the ant colony used for transporting materials and
for ventilation.”

“The central column has several purposes. First, it allows natural light into the building,
diminishing the need for artificial lighting. Second, it creates a funnel effect that allows air
inside the building and distributes it to cross-facing units,” said Nati.

“Another architectural concept based on biomimicry designed by ITPI is Coral City.

Taking inspiration from coral, the 30,000-sqm green complex features individual,
interconnected buildings in ring-like shapes that can withstand earthquakes, typhoons and
floods.”

“This inspiration from nature has many benefits. One of them is a huge savings on
construction costs.”

n.a. (2014, June 24). Biomimicry inspires design of Primavera Residences. Retrieved from:
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/biomimicry-inspires-design-primavera-residences-220033561--
sector.html
Related Studies:
a.) Abroad:
“A comparison of the components of energy cost among selected cities in Asia reveals
that Manila has the third highest generation cost, highest grid cost and the third highest value
added tax imposed on energy. An examination of a residential bill in Manila further reveals
an energy cost component unique to the 47 Philippines. At least 15 percent of a residential
electric bill comprises of miscellaneous charges that represent subsidies for the elderly and
marginalized end-consumers, rural electrification, subsidies to incentivize development of
renewable energy and the cost of debt incurred by the government in the past. Power
generation in the Philippines was originally served by both the public and private sector. To
expand energy access in the country, the government nationalized the industry in 1972. The
history of the energy industry in the Philippines reveals that loose implementation policies
especially at the local level, external economic factors such as currency depreciation and
increase in interest rates and oil prices, ineffective demand projections and poor pipeline
planning as well as political influences led to the massive debt incurred by the government.
To repay the government’s debt, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act mandated the
Power Sector Asset and Liabilities Management Corporation to liquidate the National Power
Corporation’s assets as well as collect universal charges from end-consumers. The
government also recognized the need for reforms in the industry but due to the government’s
fiscal constraints, the industry was privatized. Pricing is currently regulated by the Energy
Regulatory Commission but oligopolies and conflicts of interest in the industry, as well as
the current pricing mechanisms suppress demand and impede the reduction of energy prices.
Furthermore, the process of determining who shoulders the cost of subsidizing the elderly
and the marginalized end-consumers, the cost of repaying the government’s debt, the cost to
expand energy access in the country, and the cost to encourage development of 48 renewable
energy sources is dictated by lawmakers with little or no public participation. Without public
participation, the general public is at a disadvantage because they have to shoulder the
burden of paying for these miscellaneous costs.”

Uy F. I. (2016, March). Energy Pricing in the Philippines and its Effect on Economic Growth.
Columbia University. Columbia.
 “The economies of many developing countries are currently confronted by severe
difficulties owing to a combination of lower commodity prices, higher energy costs, falling
exchange rates and rising inflation. At the same time, the countries face immense social
problems (including a rising urban population and unemployment) which are putting pressure
on the nation’s resources and capabilities. The construction industry in a typical developing
country is facing reduced levels of demand as a result of adjustment programmes which
invariably involve cuts in governments’ capital investment.”

Ofori G. (n/d). Challenges of Construction Industries in Developing Countries: Lessons from

Various Countries. National University of Singapore. Singapore City. Singapore.

b.) Related Local Studies:

Synthesis:

High Energy Prices in the Philippines had caused restrains on economic growth and have
damaged the construction industry by increasing the operating expenses of businesses in the
country. Due to this fact as stated in the above mentioned studies both foreign and local, the
researchers decided to pursue this research study that aims to develop a building concept that is
capable of sustaining the energy it needs by itself with the goal of minimizing operating costs
particularly in energy expenses that is considerably high in Philippine context. Biomimetry is
one concept that the researchers desires to apply in the concept for it requires minimum
maintenance costs and which efficiency largely depends on the concept of the building’s design
which is included in this research.