The practice of architecture is not an exemption in the new normal way of living amidst the ongoing pandemic. Just like in many fields, professionals in the builds and designs industry have been affected since the onset of lockdown in March.
To address this, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the country’s accredited organization of Filipino architects, is geared towards providing training and skills development for architects to be able to adapt to the shifting norms in line with their practice
One of the main activities UAP is holding to support it’s more than 40, 000 members across the world is its celebration of the National Architecture Week (NAW) titled “N(e)AW Normal: Shifting Norms in the Prac2ce of Architecture” from December 7-11.
“As professional architects, we need to think of ways on how to go on with our work and life,” said Arch. Roselle V. Santos, Chairperson, Committee on NAW 2020. “We need to re-assess and discuss how to adjust to our design of spaces and how to perform our professional practice.”
Arch. Santos notes that the pandemic has changed the architecture landscape, adding that the builds industry is now focusing on creating designs that also adhere to minimum health protocols.
With this, this year’s NAW is focused on activities that can help the members add knowledge in coping with the new normal in the practice of the profession, with webinar topics timely and relevant.
She says, “New approaches in design, in-office practice that gives new ideas and techniques that can be applied with our practice in these hard times because of the covid-19 pandemic. The celebration hopes to unite members and share ideas on how to perform in the new normal.”
Among the activities covered in NAW 2020 is the book launch of “Krokis” – Primer on Architecture by the Center for Filipino Architecture, virtual booth exhibition, webinars on Green Innovation, Future of Glass Façade, and heritage conservation, design standards in the new normal, resilience in healthy and green buildings, and integrated design and delivery.
Meanwhile, UAP National President Renato A. Heray says that architecture has always been adaptable to changes, which makes it resilient.
He says, “We are fortunate that we are part of the industry that can easily adapt to the demands of technology. We have always been trained to be open in everything the technology introduces to us and we are no longer unfamiliar with this territory. Our creativity, dedication, and passion in the things that we do just keep on flowing and no pandemic can end it.”
He also adds that as the profession embraces the new normal through this pandemic, it is vital to not just survive through but emerge better.
“I would like to remind everyone that as we all adapt to the new norms in our architecture practice, let us have a mindset of a victor. Let us not just think of how to survive and cope with this pandemic,” he adds. “Let us think of how we can improve the status quo, bring innovative changes, and withstand and win over another one if there will be — all for a better place we and the future generations will all live in.”
NAW is part of UAP’s event highlights for this fiscal year, under its theme “Member-First Policy,” a member-centered approach to leading its general membership. Member First Policy aims to provide tangible benefits to UAP members by way of giving skills development and training, recognition of their contributions to the architecture profession, and a welfare fund for members who were affected by the pandemic.
