PH architects must get involved in disaster-resilient infrastructure

CARDBOARD shelter by the Suzuki Laboratory, Kogakuin University. PHOTO from The Japan Foundation

Being a world leader in engineering ingenuity, Japan has been actively pushing for disaster-resilient infrastructure.

And to inspire architects to step up and be more active in disaster preparations, The Japan Foundation, in cooperation with the University of the Philippines Diliman and its Asian Center, the Embassy of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, presented How did Architects Respond Immediately after 3/11 (The Great East Japan Earthquake) on June 9. It will run until July 14.

The exhibit at the GT-Toyota Hall of Wisdom, Asian Center Museum in UP Diliman includes project summaries, drawings and photographs, videos and models, and furniture and cardboard shelters. It underlined the fact that when faced with a natural catastrophe, architecture is ultimately a frail entity.

Speaking to attendees, The Japan Foundation-Manila director Shuji Takatori said they wanted to show architects how the Japanese responded to the severe and extensive destruction caused by the magnitude-9 Tohoko earthquake and tsunami, also known as the Great East Japan Earthquake, on March 3, 2011.

Dr. Reuben Caete, curator of the Asian Center Museum, said that since Filipinos share with the Japanese experiences of earthquakes, tsunamis and storms, and given the advancement of Japan over the country, it is necessary for us to follow in their foot steps. We will learn a lot from them.

KIDS Smile project by Ben Nagaoka (POINT) and Shin Yokoo (OUVI). PHOTO from The Japan Foundation

Inspiring others to act

Advances in quake-resistant architecture significantly reduced the damage, but the quake-triggered tsunami struck a 500-kilometer section of the coastline and devastated countless towns. Breakwaters were destroyed; a huge number of wooden houses were swept away; and, in some instances, reinforced concrete and steel-framed buildings collapsed.

Many organizations including architects groups, university laboratories and the Japan Institute of Architects launched projects and surveys dealing with a variety of subjects.

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PH architects must get involved in disaster-resilient infrastructure