Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 5
5. PROJECT PROFILE AND ANALYSIS
This chapter shall guide the reader on the nature of the project and will further be informed with
the client of the project.
5.1. Project Description
The Aguaverde Eco-village Destination Resort and Permaculture Development Center will offer
recreation, wellness and livelihood to the locals within the vicinity. It aims to be a self-sufficient
structure, relying on natures gifts like the sun and wind, and utilizing them wisely through
passive cooling design.
It will be designed to promote interaction with, not only nature, but also with the locals.
The Eco-village Destination Resort and Permaculture Development Center is open for everyone.
The project hopes to be the first prototype to encourage future resorts to be designed this way, in
not just how it considered nature, but also the community, in its design.
This project targets tourists seeking comfort and adventure in the last ecological frontier of the
Philippines. It also targets the residents in the site, as a place where they can have recreation and
relaxation. It targets people of varying social class, interests, and nationalities. It caters to people
of all ages, as it has relaxing activities for the seniors, and adventurous activities for the young
and the young at heart.
The Eco-Village Destination Resort and Permaculture development center is a facility that has
been funded by different private sectors as a sustainable facility that would help develop the ecotourism problems and agricultural potential of the vicinity. The purpose and function of the
project is to boost tourism, income and perhaps create a paradigm that other rural land owners
may follow. It is also a response to the needs of the municipality's growing population and would
be a home of different organic crops.
The researcher started researching on farming and came upon information on hobby farms,
which is a small, manageable farm-type which is very popular in Australia. Through
internet inquiry, the researcher found that many people shared this love of the land and were
sharing that intimacy by creating farm resorts. The researcher also found supporting information
on eco-tourism and agro-tourism, which complements the information on farm resorts.
Furthermore, it was during an interview with the DENR Planning Division that the researcher
was introduced to the ideas of the urban visionary, Doxiadis. He states that human settlements
in relation to urban areas may no longer be satisfactory for their inhabitants. if the urban areas
may no longer be enough, there is nowhere else to go except to the rural areas. And, that is how
the idea for the proposed farm resort was born.
Mission:
DEVELOP a strategic alliance with Luzviminda, Puerto Princesa to promote, educate, and
collaborate with agri-business and geotourism affiliates.
CREATE a resort that aligns with Palawan Council for Sustainable Development
sustainability goals that increases economic growth in 'eco-tourism' and cross-pollinated
green tourism industries.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCT Puerto Princesa's first self-sustaining, off-the grid eco-destination
resort
Vision:
ESTABLISH the first of-its-kind eco-destination resort in Puerto Princesa that serves as an
international iconic eco-community flagship model for sustainable travel uniting
conservation, enriching personal experiences in environmental awareness and sustainable
living.
PIONEER new eco-resort geotourism recreational programs designed & built using the 12
Principles of Permaculture Design Systems to ensure responsible land stewardship.
Primary Users
The primary users of the resort are the administrative staff and personnel. They are responsible
for the maintenance of the standards of work and are the primary workforce of the facility.
Secondary Users
The secondary users are the guests who will avail of the services provided by the resort.
Tertiary Users
The tertiary users are the people in charge of the maintenance of the resort. They are the ones
who ensure that the structure is clean and secure.
Other users:
Department of Agriculture
They can use the permaculture development center to research on new technologies regarding
agriculture and would help develop the resort.
The Eco-Village Destination Resort and Permaculture Development Center is creatively and
meticulously developed to showcase a one-of-a-kind self-sustained eco-community where
innovation, beauty, invention, state-of-the-art designs and sustainability lifestyle are
resourcefully integrated into many diverse recreational geo-tourism programs
Welcoming Center
The clubhouse complex comprises of the reception, the restaurant, and two
function halls. Open from 8AM-8PM daily.
Activity Center
The indoor activity center comprises of the indoor sports facilities. Indoor
activities include billiards, table tennis, and karaoke. Open from 8AM-8PM daily.
Swimming Pool
Guests can swim in the pool. Accessible from 6AM-12AM daily
Spa Center
A peaceful sanctuary, the spa center rejuvenates ones mind and body, using
Filipino-inspired treatments. Services offered are Body Massages, Body Scrubs, Body
Wraps, Foot Spas, and Facials, available from 10AM-12AM daily.
Kanyugan Trail
There is a manmade path into the forest of coconut trees with ripe niyog, leading
to a hut on by the beach, where people can stay and bide their time, experiencing the
beach and the breeze, with a view of the sea and the migratory birds.
Snorkeling
Tourists can see the beauty of the corals around the island. Available by request
8AM-3PM daily
Souvenir Center
Tourists can buy pasalubong crafted by the local children and housewives. Open
from 8AM-8PM daily.
MONTH
THEME
JANUARY
ECO-START
Organic Farm Workshops planting of new seeds for the New Year
Plant Propagation, Planting Seeds, Soil Preparation
Harvesting Algae oils to be turned into Bio-fuels c/o Department of Agriculture
Start to apply Permaculture principle # 1: Creatively use and respond to change (envision
possibilities and intervene in effective ways)
FEBRUARY
Obtain a yield
Planting and farming the staffs own vegetable and fruit crops.
Permaculture Research & Harvesting Algae oils to be turned into Bio-fuels
Start to apply Permaculture principle # 4: Obtain a yield (make sure youre getting valuable
results
MAY
Eco-Summer
JUNE
Green Thumb
Natural Patterns
Rainy Green
ber-y Green
Natural Patterns
Seminars on Integrated Smart Grid Hydro-Electric, Solar & Battery Power Renewable Energy
System
Permaculture Research & Harvesting Algae oils to be turned into Bio-fuels
Start to apply Permaculture principle # 10: Observe and Interact
November
Sustainability is the huge step the world is taking towards that direction. Sustainability
represents a transition to a more humane and natural built environment. However, architecture,
by its very nature, uses energy, alters the existing fabric and imposes its structural forms upon
others. It will always have some detrimental impact on the environment. Negative impacts on
the environment through architecture are inevitable, however, sustainability is an approach that
limits the negative impact. The role of architecture can help with conserving our resources and
lessening the physical, social, and cultural impacts on the environment through appropriate
building design, and achieving the following five elements: (1) Environmental sustainability;
(2) technological sustainability; (3) financial sustainability; (4) organizational sustainability;
and (5) social sustainability. (Bromberek, 2009)
In practice, an ESD project is always the result of a compromise and trade-off between
these characteristics since usually one may only be achieved at a slight detriment to the others.
The ultimate technological goal of sustainable architecture is to restrict the impact that the
buildings make on their surroundings to an unavoidable minimum, which is why its referred to
as low-impact architecture. Sustainability objectives in the technological area are the
following: (1) conservative management of the natural environment; (2) minimizing
nonrenewable resource consumption; (3) reducing embodied energy and total resource usage;
(4) reducing energy in use; (5) minimizing external pollution and environmental damage; (6)
eliminating or minimizing the use of toxins; and (7) minimizing internal pollution and damage
to the health. Low-impact architecture is about integrating the environment, building fabric,
and building technology in one package, which entails passively and actively harnessing
renewable energy and using materials which, in their manufacture, application and disposal,
do the least possible damage to the so-called free resources: water, ground, and air. However,
developing low-impact or sustainable buildings involves resolving many conflicting issues
and requirements as each design decision has environmental implications. (Bromberek, 2009)
The individual and cumulative social, environmental and economic implications must be taken
into account. The short and long term as well as direct and indirect consequences must be
carefully considered.
Hill Influence
Hills and other small differences in topography, whether natural or artificial, can create large
modifications in the microclimate. Many of them can be attributed to the cool air behaving
somewhat like a liquid. The topography of a site, plants and buildings can create pools where
air cooled at night can flow in (catabolic airflows) and gather, or dams impeding free flow of
the air through the site. Topography that would promote air movement is preferable because of
the importance that the breezes have for comfort restoration in hot and humid areas. Slopes can
generate air movement through uneven air temperature distribution.
Sea/Water Influence
In the absence of winds generated by macro-scale weather phenomena, large bodies of water can
remarkably influence local air movements. It is because water (having a higher specific heat than
land mass material) is usually cooler than land during the day and warmer at night.
Vegetation Influence
The natural vegetation cover of the land tends to stabilize temperatures and decrease extremes
(similarly to water) while artificial surfaces tend to exaggerate them. Plants are a natural
absorbent of heat, light and sound. Heat radiation is followed by much less radiation from
vegetation due to converting a large portion of the heat energy in several biochemical and
biophysical processes. Extreme care should be exercised when removing and/or planting trees.
The trees should offer shade for roofs and walls but should not obstruct air movements around
buildings. Varieties with high canopies and few or no branches below (for instance most palm
trees) are a good option. Dense shrubs and low growing trees can be used to create walls of
wind funnels, i.e. formations increasing wind speeds and channelling them along the desired
paths. The speed increase actually achieved will depend on the size of the funnels walls
(length and height), their density, wind direction and other factors. This effect is disputable as it
is only effective for one wind direction. For others the funnel could become an obstacle to
effective site ventilation.
In order to ensure free movement of air through the site, resort buildings should be located a fair
distance from each other; this also avoids obstructing land-sea breezes. In the layout
organization, a parallel tendency is preferred. Generally, the long axis should be aligned in an
east-west direction. The preferred orientation is that of the long axis of the building pointed west
-5 in the southern and +5 in the northern hemisphere with a 10 tolerance (i.e. facing from 255275, or 265-285, direction). Longer walls would then face south and north, limiting their
exposure to low-angle solar radiation. Another important factor is the prevailing wind
direction. Orienting buildings so that their long facades are exactly perpendicular to the wind
direction (i.e. facing the wind) is not required. It has been shown in some studies that a better and
more even distribution of air flowing through the building, without compromising air velocity, is
achieved when the wind is oblique to the inlet openings at approximately 45. Further
improvement can be observed when inlet and outlet openings are located in adjacent walls; better
cross-ventilation resulted from the inlet opening being perpendicular to the wind direction.
Furthermore, for the best ventilation effects, the area of openings serving as outlets should be
maximized.
Appropriate site planning can help reduce the problem of humidity build-ups. Preventing
excessive humidity on the site in naturally humid climates can be done by allowing for free air
movement through it and by locating humidity sources (swimming pools, decorative ponds, etc.)
far from resort buildings. Locating the buildings away from the larger masses of vegetation
would also probably be beneficial in this respect. One of the more important planning issues is
functional zoning of the resort. Its naturally noisy parts, such as dining rooms, playgrounds,
entertainment areas, the reception and roads, should be separated from guest units. Moving them
apart and/or introducing vegetation as sound and visual barriers can do this.
First of all, planning designers should review the materials for side evaluation, which includes
aerial photographs, environment information, topographic base maps, certified land boundaries,
easements, local planning reports, structure placement, engineering materials and other involving
materials.
To get familiar with resort proprietor design requirements and minimum standards.
To attend a design team briefing with resort proprietor and to discuss with consultant team for
the development objectives and development programs.
To review other planned development of resort in the vicinity that may have an impact on the
resort in the future and pan future development potential.
To prepare the feasibility report, including review of marketing and economic data.
To prepare for the master plan concept report with summary of important data and overall
project programs. The report includes side analysis and drawings, square measurement
requirements, area schematics of pedestrian, area schematics and study of vehicular parking and
circulation, the outline of utilities and operational functionality.
To prepare conceptual drawings, sketches, renderings, electronic visualization that can record
and illustrate the approved preliminary concept.
To coordinate the project delivery timetable.
If required, to prepare probable cost according to budget established with resort
proprietor for review, approval and modification.
If required, to present all the schematic documentation to the proprietor for review, approval and
modification.
relationship. Resort planning aims to concentrate on the functional facilities while retaining this
kind of relationship.
The density of the buildings should be defined according to the conditions of the resorts
geographic location and planning. Each region may have its own different standard for land ratio.
For example, the land ratio is relatively higher in prosperous areas while relatively lower in
residential areas.
The height and withdrawing distance of the buildings in a resort should be able to protect the
guests privacy and prevent invasion.
The motor vehicle and other facilities set for a resorts commercial districts should be restricted
in the areas in front of the commercial districts.
Legal Issues
Zoning Ordinance
The researcher notes that the following terms from the Ordinance should be noted,
namely: Building, Built-up Area, Buffer Zone, Environmental Critical Areas, Innovative
Design, Mangrove Forest, Parks and Recreational Zone (PRZ), Rural Area, Seaport, Settlement
Zone, Tourist Zone (TZ), and Water Zone (WZ). See Appendix for more details.
Zone Boundaries
In Section 12 Interpretation of Zone Boundaries, it is noted that when the boundary of a zone
follows bodies of water bodies, said boundary line shall be deemed to be at the limit of the
political jurisdiction of the community if it be located thereat, otherwise, the boundary shall be
located at the bank or shore of the stream, lake, or river.
The textual description of the zone boundaries shall prevail over that of the Official Zoning
Maps.
In Section 13, the principal kind of uses are specified and the corresponding permitted
uses per zone are identified. The pattern of development herein set forth shall conform with
national standards on radial circumferential development, growth center strategy, regional
integration, industrial dispersal, and hierarchy of settlement. The Built-up zone shall provide
for innovative flexibility in allowable uses and design to allow for greater and more efficient
interaction between the productive and consuming sectors of the community.
Zone Regulations
In Section 13, the principal kind of uses are specified and the corresponding permitted uses per
zone are identified. The pattern of development herein set forth shall conform with national
standards on radial circumferential development, growth center strategy, regional integration,
industrial dispersal, and hierarchy of settlement.