1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
1. To protect the waterproofing membrane from climatic extremes, which allows for a reduction in maintenance and a decline in the size of stormwater handling facilities.
2. To capture rainwater (which can be used for non-potable needs), thus reducing the volume of water needed to be handled by the drainage systems.
3. To increase the energy performance of the building by improving insulating properties.
4. To create a building with Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence. [1, 2]
2. To capture rainwater (which can be used for non-potable needs), thus reducing the volume of water needed to be handled by the drainage systems.
3. To increase the energy performance of the building by improving insulating properties.
4. To create a building with Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence. [1, 2]
Quantitative targets
1. To capture 25 to 90 percent of rainwater.
2. To build 3 rainwater harvesting tanks with a capacity of 1,000 gallons each. [1, 2]
2. To build 3 rainwater harvesting tanks with a capacity of 1,000 gallons each. [1, 2]
Monitoring indicators defined
Gallons of water stored in the facilities, percentage of water volume reduced in the drainage system, reduction in temperature in centigrade. [1, 3]
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
LafargeHolcim partnered with SIKA—a manufacturer of speciality chemicals for construction and industry—to develop the innovative green roof solution used for the LLDA’s new building. The three main components of the system were:
1. The growing medium BioMix, a special lightweight medium composed of different ingredients, enables stable anchorage of plants’ roots and provides appropriate water holding capacity.
2. The underlying layer of natural lightweight aggregates BioLite, for drainage. This natural material promotes healthy plant growth by retaining and draining water in a natural way. In addition, this material conforms to any shape and depth of the drainage course, does not require any maintenance, can be easily recycled, is durable, does not contain clay or organic material, and can support a thick layer of soil and live load.
3. The waterproofing and root barrier membrane Sarnafil, is a fibre-reinforced, multi-layer, synthetic membrane.
The herbaceous plants and grasses are carefully chosen to regenerate themselves and stand up to extreme variations in heat and water availability. In addition to the green roof, the project also included other ecological features such as a wetland area for natural treatment of stormwater on-site and creating a cooling effect in the areas surrounding the building. Thanks to this wetland, the building won’t have an additional impact on municipal drainage systems. This wetland area also acts as a small-scale representation of the ecological processes that occur in Laguna Lake and will be used for educational purposes for visitors. [1, 2, 3]
1. The growing medium BioMix, a special lightweight medium composed of different ingredients, enables stable anchorage of plants’ roots and provides appropriate water holding capacity.
2. The underlying layer of natural lightweight aggregates BioLite, for drainage. This natural material promotes healthy plant growth by retaining and draining water in a natural way. In addition, this material conforms to any shape and depth of the drainage course, does not require any maintenance, can be easily recycled, is durable, does not contain clay or organic material, and can support a thick layer of soil and live load.
3. The waterproofing and root barrier membrane Sarnafil, is a fibre-reinforced, multi-layer, synthetic membrane.
The herbaceous plants and grasses are carefully chosen to regenerate themselves and stand up to extreme variations in heat and water availability. In addition to the green roof, the project also included other ecological features such as a wetland area for natural treatment of stormwater on-site and creating a cooling effect in the areas surrounding the building. Thanks to this wetland, the building won’t have an additional impact on municipal drainage systems. This wetland area also acts as a small-scale representation of the ecological processes that occur in Laguna Lake and will be used for educational purposes for visitors. [1, 2, 3]
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The new office, a leading example of the "Green Building Revolution", is considered the first-ever Philippine structure to be accredited as a "Green Building" after passing the stringent international standards set by the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) in conjunction with the Green Buildings Council of the Philippines. Designed by Architect Cascante, the two four-story buildings interconnected by bridge ways on all levels, are "energy-efficient, climate-smart, ecologically adaptive and occupant-friendly", according to Acosta. Additionally, the constructed wetland area provides a habitat for natural plants and microorganisms that allow natural cleansing of the water which can be used to water plants. [1, 2]
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The new office, a leading example of the "Green Building Revolution", is considered the first-ever Philippine structure to be accredited as a "Green Building" after passing the stringent international standards set by the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) in conjunction with the Green Buildings Council of the Philippines. [3]
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The innovation, including the green roof and the constructed water management area could be created in other parts of the country with substantial changes according to the climatic needs. [1, 3]
