Abstract:
The Philippines is a country that experiences natural disasters frequently and faces destruction and casualties throughout the year. This thesis hopes to explore the different ways architecture can aid with these problems through planning, prevention, and response. The main goal is to design a “Command Center” that is resilient against all types of natural disasters that can achieve the goals of this research and develop a system and building that will help the people from these unstoppable disasters.
Description:
Architecture should not petrify forms, nor should it deny their existence. The existing context and its character should be encouraged to evolve and transform, thus establishing a connected sense of being and a management of environmental change. How can architecture respond to natural disasters? While natural disasters can’t be stopped, architecture can help prevent damage and loss of life through catastrophic events. Not only can it help during the disaster happening, but it can also be a beacon of safety, organization, and relief after the disaster has happened. This thesis looks at the possibilities of how architecture can help before, during, and after a disaster has occurred. With the main focus in a small city in the Philippines, Tacloban City has been through one of the worst natural disasters ever recorded. Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 has affected millions of people in the city, with casualties that went over thousands. The motivation of this thesis is to preserve the life and well-being of the people affected by natural disasters in Tacloban City, Philippines. With frequent typhoons that affect the country, the relief and response for post-disaster are still lacking and need to be addressed because those who suffer are the people. This project aims to fill in the gaps of the missing steps required that are necessary to ensure the safety of the people of Tacloban City post-disaster. Many aspects that need to be looked into further are how to make sure order and safety are maintained. Issues that need to be solved are transportation, power, communication, food, and medicine.
