“AN ECO-FRIENDLY DISASTER RESILIENT SCHOOL”

A school is an institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the
teaching of students. It is a place where children begin to develop their thinking, widen their
knowledge and build their dreams.
A school should be a place designed for learning during all kinds of weather condition—sunny
or rainy and should also be designed to be environmentally and ecologically responsive.
The main concept of the project—“SILID-SILUNGAN” is to create an eco-friendly disaster-
resilient school. The design aims to transform a school from SILID PAARALAN during school
days to SILID-SILUNGAN during times of calamities.

SILID PAARALAN + SILUNGAN = SILID-SILUNGAN

(a classroom where children learn) (something underneath, something
That can cover/protect you)

In early days silungan/ lean-to structures serve as the main

shelter and protection of humans against the heat of sun and
rain.

The main evacuation shelter of the school would be the

second floor of the building, since the highest flood recorded
in Muzon Malabon City could reach 1.00 to 2.50 meters high.
There are expandable classrooms to accommodate large number of evacuees in one area, which
is located near the school clinic for easy medical assistance, near the toilets for evacuees’
hygiene and also near the relief giving room on second floor for their supplies.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:
 DISASTER-RESILIENCY- the building was elevated 0.60m from the ground for the
primary prevention of getting flooded during small typhoons. Wood wind breakers were
applied to break strong wind impacts on building. Retractable vertical louvers were also
installed to control the amount of light that could pass to the building and could also
serve as shield against rain on corridors. Seismic gap applied with expansion joints were
 allow to the L-shape plan building to allow lateral movements during earthquake and to
eliminate unwanted cracks, in line with this diagonal bamboo bracing were applied on
central part of the building. The periphery of the school’s quadrangle uses pervious
pavement which allow rainwater to seep in the ground. This will reduce the amount of
surface run-off that will have to be drained off the site.

 SUSTAINABILITY- to lessen environmental impacts of the building, sustainable

materials and strategies were applied. The main material for the school walls were plastic
concrete (concrete made from recycled plastics), majority of the materials are naturally
finish, most part of the building surface will be finished concrete to lessen paint that they
need to re-apply every 5-7 years. But to still break the gloom color of the concrete,
different colors were applied on door and window jambs to still make it fun and
interesting to the eyes of the students. Rainwater harvesting system was used to collect
water from roof, stored in a cistern/tank that can be used for flushing of toilets and foe
watering the plants. Natural ventilation and lighting on classrooms and on other school
facilities was achieved by window fenestrations on opposite side of the walls. Solar
panels are strategically placed to maximize energy harvesting. Energy stored will then be
converted to be used by light appliances.

 SAFETY- a 5-meter setback was introduced in front to keep a distance between road and
school for students’ safety. Maximum distances of fire codes were also considered for
emergency exits. Drop-off for students which is not present in the existing Muzon
Elementary School was also provided.

 ACCESSIBILITY- a school should be universally designed, accessible by all persons,

whether young or old or even persons with disability. Ramps were introduced with a 1:12
slope on different sides of the building. PWD toilets were also considered in toilet
layouts.

 RECYCLING- a space at the backside portion of the building was provided to serve as
the segregation area of the school. Recycling activities could be held at the relief giving
room when it is not in used for calamity purposes.