The Original Green

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Alarmed by the irreversible impact of climate change, many Filipino architects and engineers are taking a second look at traditional, native designs and techniques which were, for centuries, in tune with a tropical environment.Last Saturday, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) launched the “Green Building Initiative.” In her introductory speech, erstwhile UAP president, Arch. Prosperidad C. Luis, saluted a precursor of “green architecture” – Arch. Geronimo V. Manahan – whose book on passive cooling and sustainable ventilation for tropical Filipino houses is an irreplaceable fount of knowledge for students and …