“It’s critical for [property] developers to implement an effective way of evaluating their projects in terms of disaster resilience at the start of the design and construction process.” – Daiichi Properties

Manila, Philippines—How safe are our buildings when a strong earthquake hits?

Many high-rise buildings continue to soar in Metro Manila.  However, amid the current scare of the “Big One” hitting Manila, property developers need to further ensure that their buildings are earthquake resistant and communicate transparently this information to their stakeholders, particular their tenants, which Daiichi Properties, one of the leading property developers in the country, reiterated recently to media outlets.

According to Eric Manuel, vice president for business development, “[Daiichi Properties”] recently tested the structural integrity of its buildings through a performance –based design approach using a computer model that measures optimal efficiency. This means that the shape and design of our buildings are also dependent on the results of the performance-based testing.

“More important than the aesthetics of our buildings are the safety of our tenants.”

Daiichi Properties’ One World Place building in Bonifacio Global City, a Class A office building designed by Gensler, a design and architecture firm based in San Francisco, California, recently passed the performance-based evaluations that focused on the effects of earthquakes and wind. The tests were conducted by Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Consulting, an international consulting and research organization covering diverse fields such as engineering, technology, environment, development, and management.

Similarly, Daiichi Properties’ World Plaza, also located in Bonifacio Global City, has also passed the performance-based seismic and wind evaluations, which were conducted by Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA), an international structural and civil engineering firm, and Sy^2 and Associates, one of the leading structural engineering companies in the country.

These performance-based tests are advanced design methods that meet, and most instances, exceed the specifications required by the National Structural [Building] Code of the Philippines, whose latest edition will be made available soon.