By Ar. Joan S. De Leon- Tabinas, UAP
Member of UIA Natural & Human Disasters Work Programme
The 50th National Convention of the United Architects of the Philippines (NATCON50) celebrated more than just a golden milestone of Filipino architectural excellence, it showcased the profession’s critical role in addressing the world’s most pressing crises. Among the most impactful sessions was “Architecture and Beyond,” anchored by the UIA WP NHD. In an era defined by increasing climate catastrophes, pandemics, armed conflicts, and displacement, architecture must transcend aesthetics to become a life-saving, system-shaping tool. This session became a global platform to exchange insights, deepen understanding, and explore the power of architecture to anticipate, respond to, and help communities recover from disasters. It brought together some of the world’s most respected voices in emergency architecture, design for resilience, and humanitarian action. Their collective message was clear: the architectural profession has both the responsibility and the capacity to protect lives and build futures amid uncertainty.
A Global Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Action
The session was a significant collaboration between the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) and the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA), shining a spotlight on the growing global movement toward humanitarian and resilience-focused architecture. It marked a rare convergence of diverse expertise, from grassroots fieldwork to academic research and policy innovation, all united by a common cause: advancing the architectural profession as a key agent in disaster mitigation and recovery.
Opening the session, Ar. Yolanda David-Reyes, Co-Director of the UIA WP NHD, emphasised the programme’s global scope and its urgent relevance. Her keynote laid out the strategic framework guiding the initiative, including project-based collaborations, research dissemination, and global partnerships. She underscored the importance of early-stage resilience thinking and called on all architects to become active contributors to the international movement, leveraging their creativity, contextual knowledge, and commitment to sustainable development.
The session also highlighted how natural hazards and human-induced crises are no longer isolated events but interconnected challenges that require systemic, design-led responses. Attendees gained valuable exposure to strategies that prioritise long-term recovery, cultural appropriateness, and inclusive planning. By creating a space for learning and shared commitment, the session reinforced the message that architecture is not just a profession of building, it is a force for healing and hope when deployed thoughtfully in times of crisis.
Distinguished Global Speakers and Their Insights
Three globally respected professionals delivered compelling talks, offering field-tested knowledge and fresh academic perspectives that bridged theory and practice in disaster-resilient design.
Ar. Patrick Coulombel of France, Founder and Co-Director of the Emergency Architects Foundation, drew from decades of on-ground experience, including emergency response projects in Haiti, Ukraine, and Lebanon. His stories detailed not just the logistics of post-disaster building, but the human impact of architectural decisions. He emphasised the importance of rapid response, adaptability, and local empowerment. Ar. Coulombel illustrated how architecture can be deployed as a tool for saving lives, restoring dignity, and laying the groundwork for resilient communities.
Ar. Thomas Cheung from Hong Kong, Director of Arcasia Emergency Architect, shared community-based case studies across Asia. His presentation underscored the value of participatory approaches, especially when rebuilding in disaster-prone rural and urban areas. Cheung’s insights highlighted how culturally rooted design, local material use, and education can shape more robust and accepted outcomes, particularly in regions frequently affected by typhoons, earthquakes, and flooding.
Ms. Ingeborg Christiane Hau of Denmark, representing the Royal Danish Academy, emphasised the role of research and systems thinking in anticipating risk and designing for adaptability. Her academic lens complemented the field perspectives, showing how data, urban analytics, and multi-scalar design can integrate resilience into both macro-planning and architectural detail. She advocated for pre-disaster planning and multidisciplinary collaboration, urging architects to lead in shaping proactive, not just reactive, responses.
Collectively, the speakers advanced the case for a shift from reactive rebuilding to anticipatory resilience where architecture plays a strategic role in preparedness, recovery, and long-term well-being.
Global Dialogue, Reactors, and UAP’s Commitment
The session culminated in a vibrant panel discussion moderated by Ar. Aimee Roslan, UIA WP NHD Member from Malaysia. The panel allowed for cross-cultural and interprofessional reflection on emerging best practices, tools, and ideologies in humanitarian architecture. It served as a fertile ground for refining shared frameworks and expanding the collective knowledge base among professionals from around the world.
Adding depth to the discussion were three esteemed global reactors:
- Prof. Allen Kong of Australia, Director of the UIA Work Programme on Architecture for All, stressed the non-negotiable value of universal design in post-disaster contexts. His advocacy for accessibility ensures that recovery and reconstruction do not marginalise vulnerable populations, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and low-income communities.
- Ar. Joseph Kwan of Hong Kong, Adviser to the UIA Board of External Affairs, brought forward a strong case for inclusive legislation and design standards in emergency architecture. He shared lessons on integrating accessible design into emergency shelters, temporary housing, and reconstruction programmes, often overlooked yet critical aspects in ensuring equitable recovery.
- Ar. Orlando Alvir of Honduras, UIA WP NHD Member, offered a Latin American perspective rooted in community-led rebuilding and indigenous knowledge systems. His reflections affirmed the importance of culturally sensitive design and the power of grassroots participation as vital components of any sustainable recovery effort.
Beyond intellectual discourse, the session was also marked by tangible action. Before concluding the event, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) made a landmark donation of One Million Pesos to the Angat Buhay Foundation, a civic organisation supporting disaster-affected communities across the country. This significant act of solidarity was formally led by UAP National President Ar. Donato Magcale, together with Ar. Tony Valdez, Director of CONEX50, and Ar. Reymark Gardiola, Director of NATCON50. Representing the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) were Ar. Yolanda Reyes and Secretary General Ar. Rui Leao, who stood in support of UAP’s commitment to humanitarian action. This meaningful gesture transcended intellectual discourse, embodying the union of design leadership and compassion, and serving as a powerful reminder that architecture is not only about creating structures, but also about building hope, resilience, and social responsibility.
Closing Reflections by Rui Leao, UIA Secretary General
In his powerful closing remarks, Rui Leao, Secretary General of the UIA and a distinguished architect from Macau, emphasised the growing imperative for architectural solidarity in addressing today’s global crises. He commended the session for its seamless integration of academic rigor, on-the-ground experience, and humanitarian values, positioning it as a model for collective action in the face of both natural and human-induced disasters. Leao underscored that architecture must move beyond form and function, embracing its deeper role as a catalyst for care, resilience, and long-term foresight. He urged architects worldwide to champion pre-disaster planning, empower vulnerable communities, and engage in meaningful cross-border collaboration, reminding everyone that “resilience begins not after the disaster, but long before it.”
Keywords: Disaster Resilience, Humanitarian Architecture, UIA Work Programme, Inclusive Design and Global Collaboration