Choose a life that's light and breezy

As Metro Manila and other urban cities are welcoming more condominium developments, the call to individuals and developers to go green is now more urgent. Why the need to “go green”? Green living, environment friendly practices, and sustainable homes have been the latest buzzwords since the turn of the century, for a good reason. The health and economic benefits of going green are numerous. They can not only benefit your family but all other community members as well.

Benefits of Going Green in your home

1. Breathe easier and reduce the risks of getting infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Report 2002, indoor air pollution is responsible for 2.7% of the global source of disease. Inadequate ventilation, high temperature and humidity levels can increase indoor pollutant and biological contaminant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to reduce pollution levels and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. Make sure you have a healthy indoor air environment by having adequate ventilation and making material choices that minimize chemical pollution within home.
2. Enjoy the benefits of sunlight. Natural lighting helps your calcium absorption, and there have been studies done on the helpfulness of natural sunlight on your mental health and mood.
3. Lowers your expenses through energy efficiency. As you maximize the use of natural light and ventilation, you lower your electrical expenditure and extend the life of your appliances. As you learn to recycle and conserve water, you reduce your water consumption. Cumulatively, all these measures translate to lower utility bills.
4. Reduces your environmental impact. By reducing the amount of trash you contribute to our already brimming landfills, you have already done your share in caring for the environment.

As we increase our awareness to environmental concerns and do our part in saving mother earth, a group of design engineers from DMCI Homes is taking on the task of providing the young urban family with an option to purchase condo homes that are in line with green and sustainable living. With the following objectives in mind, efficiently using energy, water, and other resources and protecting occupant health, DMCI Homes has come up with a building design that worked with the basic but often overlooked concept of the duality of seasons in the Philippine tropics. The Northeast monsoon, which occurs generally during the first half of the year, brings cool and dry winds (amihan) from Siberia and China, while the Southeast monsoon brings moisture laden winds (habagat) from the West Pacific Ocean and South China Sea during the second half.

To add to their already successful implementation of the single-loaded corridors and using information on the Philippines’ prevailing weather conditions, DMCI Homes has designed another architectural innovation that integrates natural light and ventilation in their building design features. Called Lumiventt, with lumen referring to light and ventus to wind, this system allows the free flow of natural light and ventilation around and into their high-rise structures. First introduced in Tivoli Garden Residences in Mandaluyong, this breakthrough technology in home engineering is now benefiting more than 500 families residing in the said development.

With three-storey high openings called Sky Patios at the front and back of every five floor levels, and through openings at the ends of each level, natural light and air permeates through the building and all the unit spaces. Winds passing through and around the structures create areas of positive and negative pressure. Employing the basic principles of airflow, the introduction of the central landscaped atriums and large openings of the Sky Patios provide channels through which air can move. Fresh air flows in while stale or hot air is displaced or sucked out.

“On all four sides, there are big openings and air passages in the buildings. Even with different prevailing wind directions, the wind enters. And even though it’s a condo, the fact that there is cross ventilation and natural lighting on all sides, residents get the feeling of an innately natural home setting as opposed to living in damp and cramped concrete structures. Also, through this design technology, homeowners will be able to manage the high cost of energy consumption while doing their part in caring for the environment. Our commitment is to design products that are sustainable while addressing and anticipating the needs of young, middle-income families," Alfredo Austria, DMCI Homes’ President explains. "We want them to know and feel that there's no place like DMCI Homes."

No doubt, well-planned and sustainable living spaces provide condo residents the much-needed respite from heat, pollution, and dreary concrete scenes. Apart from considering layout and amenities, prospective buyers should also do the math. Does the developer anticipate my requirements in the present but also my living conditions in the future? Do they take into consideration not only my personal needs but also of my family? Home buyers should have an option to purchase “green” homes, which are not only energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly and durable, but most importantly, cost-efficient.

Tivoli Garden Residences is a premier condo community project of DMCI Homes-- a company of innovative builders and engineering experts who develop modern day living solutions for urban families. Each of their developments is built with world-standard craftsmanship borne from its parent company’s almost 60 years of expertise in the construction and development industry. Its corporate philosophy is anchored on a deep understanding that buying a home is more about investing in a better way of living. Tivoli Garden Residences is the perfect validation of this timely proposition. Thanks to this feature-rich, ideally located community in Mandaluyong City, residents can finally enjoy a more comfortable and meaningful way of life where they can feel real good to be home. For inquiries on DMCI Homes projects, please call (02) 324-8888 or visit the website: www.dmcihomes.com. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on Youtube.