Rizal Eco-Center, the Philippines’ entry for eco-friendly architecture, bagged the Popular Choice award at the 2019 Architizer A+ Awards in New York.
The winning Rizal Eco-Center design will be made of 30,000 recycled plastic bottles and bamboo as primary materials. The pavilion will be built on the northeastern slope of Tayak Hill in the heart of the Tanaw de Rizal Park.
The center is an initiative of Filipino social innovator Illac Diaz and the Liter of Light, funded by MyShelter Foundation, and conceptualized by DEQA Design Collaborative.
Rizal Eco-Center vied for two awards: the Jury Award and the Popular Choice Award in the Cultural-Unbuilt Category at the 7th Annual Architizer A+ Awards. The Filipino project was declared the winner of the Popular Choice Award after the online public voting ended on July 5.
Good News Pilipinas talked to Dreamworks Film-featured Liter of Light’s Illac Diaz about the big win for the Philippines.
Diaz noted the role of MyShelter Foundation in the creation of the Architizer A+ Awards-winning Rizal Eco-Center. The Filipino social innovator said MyShelter has been a pioneer in alternative construction in the country by research and construction. This includes earth construction, bamboo, plastic bottle building, and other pioneering builds.
“For the 100 years of the (Rizal) city, we wanted to build a landmark that will be significant and memorable for the next 100. It was important to use a softer approach than guilt. The idea is to educate about the amount of waste generated but build something iconic from that waste stream so as not make them look away and forget,” explained Diaz about their work with the city government of Rizal and DEQA Design Collaborative.
On the use of recycled plastic bottles in the design, Diaz said, “The Philippines is the third-largest polluter for plastics.” The social innovator adds about their continuing mission, “We are building years of work and success and looking to use waste as a solution to the lack of public space like classrooms and common spaces. From continuous problem into an abundant solution.”
WATCH this video for a closer look at the model for the Rizal Eco Center project and SEND congratulations in the comments below for the creators and movers of the Rizal Eco-Center, winners at the prestigious Architizer A+ Awards in New York!
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