Turning climate vulnerability into architectural ingenuity

Filipinos have shown resilience beyond measure, rising from one disaster after another. This same strength, however, could also help the Philippines stand out in a world now increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

This was a point raised by architect Gil L. Coscolluela, a judge at the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards.

In an interview with Inquirer Property, Coscolluela explained that the country’s experience with extreme heat, heavy rainfall and worsening weather events could help turn its climate vulnerability into a source of innovation.

“The Philippines can become a laboratory of ingenuity, a place where architects can ideate, test and pilot concepts for climate-responsive architecture as we brace for more severe effects of global warming,” Coscolluela said.

“We have a vernacular tradition of passive cooling, raised structures and natural ventilation. Our resilience to seismic activity and meteorological phenomena, as well as growing expertise in disaster-resilient construction, also positions us as leaders [in] climate adaptation,” he added.

Emerging trends

Coscolluela believes that these strengths align with emerging trends such as indoor-outdoor integration, passive cooling, natural ventilation and biophilic design.

“Local architects now confidently engage in global conversations on sustainability and resilience. We have moved away from purely imitative styles and are seeing designers deeply curious about contextual modernism,” he said, pointing to another encouraging trend.

Those perspectives also shape how Coscolluela approaches his role as one of the judges at the 2026 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards. He is part of the panel tasked with selecting the past year’s best projects, designs and innovations in Philippine real estate.

The judging process will culminate at the annual Gala Night on Aug. 20 at Shangri-La at The Fort Manila. Winners in the Philippines may join those from 14 other editions across Asia-Pacific for a regional selection that concludes with a Grand Final on Dec. 11 in Bangkok, Thailand.

A window into the future

For Coscolluela, serving on the panel offers a window into the industry’s future.

“Being a judge … gives me the opportunity to see new projects, talent and ideas. To be in dialogue with my fellow jurors, as we debate the merits of each project, keeps me intellectually engaged,” Coscolluela said.

See Also

Growth gathers pace across Bulacan’s key towns

He pointed out that W.V. Coscolluela & Associates (WVCA), where he is a partner, prides itself on the basic philosophy of “form follows function” and incorporates this into its planning process to achieve designs that are more efficient, cost-effective and purpose-driven.

“The firm’s approach influences every detail of each development—from site orientation to material specification—and ultimately prioritizes end users,” he said.

Meaningful pathways

That final goal also informed Coscolluela’s evaluation of award entries, with particular attention to wellness design. He also looked for evidence that projects pursued meaningful pathways toward carbon neutrality.

“The most compelling entries, in my view, will be those that treat these two trends as interlocked strategies. A green building is both good for the planet and good for the people who inhabit it,” he explained.

If Coscolluela’s standards are reflected in this year’s winners, the projects to be celebrated on Aug. 20 will point toward a future where Philippine architecture responds not only to the demands of today’s market but also to the realities of tomorrow’s climate.