13/07/2025
𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘄
Reimagining Resilience: The Evolved Kalapaw
The kalapaw, a traditional Ilocano vernacular structure, has long served multiple roles in rural communities—providing shade for rest, a place to store harvests, and temporary refuge during typhoons or displacements. Built from indigenous materials like bamboo, nipa, and cogon, it embodied the values of simplicity, adaptability, and collective care. It was more than a physical shelter—it was a quiet testimony to the Filipino spirit of bayanihan and resilience.
This project breathes new life into the kalapaw by reimagining it as a modern evacuation center that draws inspiration from its cultural roots. Designed specifically for disaster-prone areas, the evolved kalapaw is built to withstand the pressing challenges of our time—flooding, extreme heat, and environmental degradation. It integrates climate-responsive strategies, passive cooling, elevated platforms, and sustainable materials—ensuring both safety and comfort in times of crisis.
But this design goes beyond physical protection.
The new kalapaw also serves as a communal space—a place where individuals and families can come together not only to seek refuge but also to connect, process trauma, and rebuild hope. Spaces are designated for rest, relief operations, mental health support, and community interaction. In doing so, it transforms the idea of evacuation centers from cold, impersonal spaces into centers of healing and recovery.
More than an architectural intervention, this evolved kalapaw is a symbol. It bridges the wisdom of our ancestors with the needs of the present. It honors heritage while embracing innovation. And most importantly, it stands as a testament to the enduring strength of vulnerable communities—offering not just shelter, but dignity, unity, and hope in the face of adversity.
Author(s):
Merie Cyril Mae Antonio
Jovi Anne Haduca
Mark Jerome Ganal
Marc Gacusan
Nomer Gecobe Jr.
Mentor:
Ar. Charles Angelo T. Andrada
Awards:
Grand Champion – UAPSA National Design Competition 2025
ARC LICO Special Award (for creative and strategic excellence)
