Bagong Senado New Senate Building by Aecom

Climate change is a major issue concerning the whole world, also affecting working and living conditions. Looking at this gradually developing problem, people have started adopting eco-friendly design and construction techniques that will prove life-supporting for the building and provide a better living environment for the users. Similarly, such a building is being proposed in the Philippines, which aims to promote sustainable architecture given the current climate problems in our natural environment.

The new Segate building is located in south Taguig City, Philippines, and has been proposed as a replacement for the old building in Pasay City. With time, there grew a requirement for an updated building to stand as an iconic symbol of Filipino culture and sustainability, which led to the development of a new Segate building proposed by AECOM, an architectural firm established in 1990 that, since its start, has been working towards providing distinguished design solutions. 

Design 

The new Segate building, located in South Taguig City, Philippines, has a ground-floor area of 85,925 sq. m. The building stands 54 meters tall with certain iconic features, making it the epitome of the nation’s tradition. Through this particular design, the main objectives thus fulfilled are listed below.

• Standing as an iconic structure of Philippines.
• Depicting a green and sustainable development. 
• Providing comfortable and functional space for the user.
• Gecured and well – planed open spaces for the users 

To fulfill the objectives, the inspiration for the building design is derived using nature, tradition, and culture. These three elements are well intermingled, resulting in a functional and user-friendly building. These principles formulated the design process to provide the result of a building form incorporating tradition, nature, and culture altogether. Some of the characteristics of the developed shape are:

1. VISTA / AXIS: Providing a vista along an axis reflects a good visual quality to the space. This principle is also used in the new Senate building along the entrance area of the structure. 
2. RAISED LANDSCAPED CENTRAL PLAZA: An overbridge is also being constructed in the building, acting as a landscaped central plaza, open to all four building blocks. This feature provides a unique and interesting character to the new Senate building. 
3. BALANCED COMPOSITION: A balanced composition is maintained in the new Senate building, with four blocks placed around the central plaza in an ordered manner resembling the petals of a flower. This composition provides symmetry to the structure, which also looks pleasing to visitors. 
4. LANDSCAPE: The open spaces in the building are all designed with gardens and well-planned planted areas. The central plaza, along with the terrace of the four building blocks, are well maintained and planned quite efficiently.
5. FACADE: The facade of the Segate building forms one of the most important parts of the building structure, as it is the first element to catch a viewer’s eye. The inspiration for the facade design is taken from Tegalog’s costume, depicting the traditional value of the structure. 

The building entrance has a welcoming foyer with various design elements enhancing its visual effect. The foyer space has a skylight for the emission of sunlight in the whole area. Below the foyer area lies the auditorium, with a landscaped central plaza on an overbridge just above the foyer. The central plaza serves as a connecting space for the four towers, with office spaces arranged in vertical order visible in the sectional elevation. The parking space lies just below the auditorium space on three levels. 

Construction and materials

The building aims to provide a sustainable and energy-efficient structure. To achieve this, the construction process of the structure has included various new technologies and materials. Some of the characteristics are discussed below. 

1. PERFORATED ALUMINIUM PANNEL: The building facade has perforated aluminum panels, which have a long life span and the ability to reflect solar radiation. These panels are reusable, adding to their sustainability factor. Also, these panels provide an aesthetic look to the whole structure. 
2. LOW E-COATED DOUBLE GLASS: The new Segate building uses low E-coated double glass, whose composition is such that it minimizes the incoming UV rays from directly entering the building. This mechanism also keeps the interior temperature of the building well-balanced. 

1. OPENABLE WINDOWS: Openable windows are also provided in the building blocks, allowing fresh air into the structure and thus maintaining the temperature inside the building. For these windows to function more efficiently, the placement is made at the bottom side of every floor. 
2. PVDF COATED ALUMINIUM PROFILE: PVDF coatings are resin-based coating materials resistant to sunlight, moisture, or temperature. This particular material has been used in the building profile, supporting the facade and also adding to the sustainability of the building. 
3. GFRC BASE: Glass fiber reinforced concrete is the material used for the base of the new Segate building, adding to the building’s aesthetics and ecological significance. GFRC also provides strength and flexibility to the structure, thus increasing the overall performance. 

The construction of the whole building ensures strength and stability, along with providing safety and protection to its users. One such application is the use of blast-proof, shatter-resistant film glass for windows and other interior spaces. Thus, the construction of the building is quite efficient and corresponds successfully to the demand of its users. 

Sustainability 

The New Segate building undoubtedly stands as an epitome of a new beginning aiming towards depicting the amalgamation of tradition, and culture into its natural environment. To prove the effectiveness of the design process, various sustainable techniques are also included in the building structure. Some of the design techniques used in the building are discussed below. 

1. SUNSHADING: The concept of second skin is being used in the new Segate building with sun shading devices. To fulfill this, balconies and sunbreakers are provided in the building. These devices used in the structure maintain an optimum internal temperature in the building.
2. RAINWATER COLLECTION: Another technique applied in the building is rainwater collection, which can prove effective in various ways. The water collected through rain can be used either for watering vegetation or for several other services, like firefighting. 
3. GREY WATER RE-USE: The wastewater collected from the kitchen and bathroom areas can be reused efficiently by water purifying systems. The purified water thus obtained can be used for various activities like plumbing, watering plants, washing cars, etc. 
4. EVAPORATIVE COOLING REFLECTIVE PONDS: Evaporative cooling is one of the most popular passive cooling methods, and it is also being used in the new Segate building. This process maintains a cool interior temperature through hot air passing the cool ponds, where it gets evaporated, maintaining a cool interior temperature.  
5. INDEGENOUS PLANTS: Native plants are the best way to maintain a sustainable landscape, as these plants tend to enact the soil and avoid water runoff. These plants are self sustaining and also support the lives of various other organisms present in the landscape.

Apart from these, the building tends to reflect the perfect example for providing a traditional, cultural, and natural value to the place. With its completion, the new Segate building will surely stand as an iconic structure, inspiring people all over the world. 

References: 

1. Philippines New Senate Building (2022, Design Awards) design.museaward, Available at: https://design.museaward.com/winner-info.php?id=10428 (Accessed: 26 September, 2023)
2. Bagong Senado New Senate Building (2015, AECOM Projects) aecom.com, Available at: https://aecom.com/projects/bagong-senado-new-senate-building-manila/ (Accessed: 26 September, 2023) 
3. New Senate Building in Taguig nears completion (21 July, 2023) pia.gov.ph, Available at: https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/07/21/new-senate-building-in-taguig-nears-completion (Accessed: 27 September, 2023)
4. Senate eyes Session in new building next year (21 July, 2023 by Marc Jayson Cayabyab) philstar, Available at: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/21/2282695/senate-eyes-session-new-building-next-year (Accessed: 27 September, 2023) 
5. Perforated Aluminum (Editorial by Industrial Quick search) iqsdirectory, Available at: https://www.iqsdirectory.com/articles/perforated-metal/perforated-aluminum.html (Accessed: 27 September, 2023) 
6. Low-E Glass (20 July, 2023) stanekwindows, Available at: https://www.stanekwindows.com/what-is-low-e-glass-and-does-it-make-windows-more-energy-efficient.aspx (Accessed: 28 September, 2023) 
7. PVDF Coatings for architectural Aluminum: What you need to know (2016 – 2020, Gabrian International) gabrian, Available at: https://www.gabrian.com/pvdf-coating/ (Accessed: 28 September, 2023) 
8. Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (2023, GRCA) grca, Available at: https://www.grca.online/about-grc (Accessed: 28 September, 2023)