Last July 23, 2004, the SAI Building in Tondo, Manila collapsed. Sinking to its foundation, leaning – and eventually crashing down the streets of Divisoria. While no one was physically injured, casualties remain with the millions of pesos of damage to property done by the unfortunate event.
The eight-story office building was nothing old, in fact, the building was only 5 years old and thus should not be susceptible to any damage. The phenomenon caused noise and debates in architecture as well as the engineering profession. Earning as well as criticisms on why the building had come to its ruined fate.
While no injuries were noted, it is important to still be precarious and avoid – as many as possible risks in the construction of buildings. Mitigating this event through proper planning and design of buildings – creating a safe space and environment for the occupants of such structures. The crash still resulted in inconvenience and huge risks to the occupants as well as nearby people within the building site. As much as possible, we as future designers and planners have to mitigate such risks that are potential to users. It is in the scope and responsibility of the architecture career field together with the collaboration of engineers to eliminate the risks and dangers that were faced by the SAI Building in Divisoria.
Furthermore, the collapse was investigated by the local government and institution and puts the blame on the adjacent construction and boring of ground for foundation piling thus weakening and compromising the foundation of the SAI Building.
This puts emphasis on existing provisions that are present in the construction field such as the National Building Code of the Philippines, and other relevant codes. Whatever the conclusion of the collapse, still contributes to the fact that there are structural flaws within the structure as well as ignoring provisions provided by rules and laws.
We cannot compromise structural integrity for different factors such as cost, aesthetics, or other factors that will put risks to the structural strength causing phenomenon that endangers the lives of the users. The collapse of the SAI Building is one prime example of how important it is that we should never ignore factors that as structural integrity.
Furthermore, as architects in training, we tend to easily get lost in the aesthetics of the building – merely ignoring other factors. A building or structure should abide by the three principles founded by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Utilitas – Use; Firmitas – Strength; and Venustas – Beauty. Three key principles should be balanced to keep an architecture that has a genuine purpose, with a beauty that doesn’t compromise its strength. Furthermore, an additional key principle;e should now be considered as we are in the current world where the world – climate and environmental conditions are ever-changing, thus sustainability should be intensified in the design.
The collapse of the SAI Building should be a lesson learned in architecture as well as the engineering field in creating a plan that is efficient for use. Achieving the full potential and maximizing the key principles that should be implemented.
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