POLLACK PERIODICA

An International Journal for Engineering and Information Sciences

DOI: 10.1556/606.2018.13.2.20
Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 207–218 (2018)
www.akademiai.com

COMMUNITY ARCHITECTURE: THE USE OF

PARTICIPATORY DESIGN IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF A COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECT IN THE
PHILIPPINES
1
Danilo V. RAVINA, 2 Rowell Ray Lim SHIH, 3 Gabriella MEDVEGY
1,2
Breuer Marcel Doctoral School, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
University of Pecs, Boszorkany u. 2, Pecs, Hungary and
Department of Architecture. School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design
University of San Carlos Technological Center, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
3
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Pécs
Boszorkány u. 2, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary, e-mail: [email protected]

Received 9 October 2017; accepted 2 March 2018

Abstract: This study exhibits the use of participatory design in the development of a
community housing project for the twelve family members of the Donnaville Homeowners
Association in Barangay 177, Caloocan City, Philippines. All families have been living as
informal settlers of which portions of it were considered unsafe due to recurrent flooding during
heavy rains. The housing project study was part of a workshop initiated by members of the
Community Architecture Network. In order to achieve this methodology, the community
architects arranged workshops between members of the families. The members were divided into
teams that worked separately and then collectively identify strategies in improving the design and
layout of the housing unit according to the needs of each family. The teams identified various
interventions in order to effectively reduce the cost of each new unit. Finally, through
comprehensive discussions and exchanges between the members, the resulting layout and
schematic design of the housing unit were achieved that was desirable to the families. By using
participatory design in the development of a project, in this case, a community housing unit, user
acceptance is therefore increased and rejection is reduced by the stakeholders.

Keywords: Community architecture, Participatory design, Philippines housing project

1. Introduction
Studies have shown how government initiated housing projects fail because of the
absence of community participation [1]. The construction of high-rise apartment
buildings in the US and UK during the early part of the 1930’s, after demolishing poor
existing neighbourhoods, was a good example of government initiated projects without
the involvement of communities [2]. Most of these projects failed in improving the

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208 D. V. RAVINA, R. R. L. SHIH, G. MEDVEGY

living conditions of their inhabitants and were demolished after a few years [2], [3].
Currently, conventional architecture and planning rooted in the authoritarian
management by professionals have clearly been unsuccessful [4], whereas studies have
shown that the need to forge a partnership between a local community and support
organizations is crucial for effective community restoration [5], [6], [7]. As a result,
involving stakeholders in various design development projects has become increasingly
common for different societal contexts [8], as in urban [2] and community planning [9].
By allowing people to be involved in shaping their environment is what community
architecture movement has been exploring over the past few years [10]. As an umbrella
under community architecture, participatory design involves the stakeholders at all
stages of the design process [11]. While participatory design originated in Scandinavia
with its workplace democracy labour movement of the 70’s for engaging people [12],
[13], the aim was not only to gain users’ expectations about new skills but also to enable
their democratic right to participate in design decisions affecting them [14]. The origins
of participatory design is therefore said to lie in the principles of participatory
democracy, in which decision-making is shared and decentralized. Thus, the central idea
in the methodology of participative design is that those who are affected by what is
designed should actively participate in the design process and should be able to secure
already-existing skills and resources [15], [16], [13]. In this paper, a participatory design
workshop was carried out in the community of the Donnaville Homeowners Association
(DHA) in Barangay 177 of Caloocan City, Philippines. This paper presents a
comprehensive case study to demonstrate the use of collaborative action plans and
workshops in order to plan and design a housing community for the members of the
homeowners. Although the government initiated Foundation for the Development of the
Urban Poor (FDUP) provided their own schematic site and housing plans to the
members of the association, the resulting cost of the houses was deemed to be
unaffordable by family members. Because of this, the family members began to
initialize ways in order to produce other solutions in order to make the new houses more
affordable. The family members then approached the Community Architects Network
(CAN) for assistance. The CAN is a program under the Asian Coalition for Housing
Rights (ACHR) and is composed of architects, engineers and planners from the
Philippines, Indonesia and Canada. In order to address the needs of the homeowners, it
is necessary to develop collaborative action plans in considering the conditions of the
community. The community architects would propose an alternative schematic design
output for the family members of Donnaville Homeowners Association in order to
produce a housing unit, which is affordable and responsive to the unique requirements
of the family members.

1.1. Profile of Donnaville Homeowners Association

The Donnaville Homeowners Association was established in 2011 and is solely
registered with the Philippines Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) in
May 2012. However, after the devastating onslaught of typhoon Ketsana in 2009, the
location of the DHA was identified as a high-risk area by the Local Housing Office
(LHO). During the typhoon mapping, six families are revealed to be living within the
prohibited three meter easement of a creek while the other six families are illegally

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occupying areas designated as roads. All of the families have been living in the district
for 25 years as informal settlers in areas considered dangerous and, therefore, the
families have to be immediately relocated. During the initial interview, the average
family size of the members of homeowners is five, of which two families owned their
houses, two are renting and eight families are living with their relatives. Since many of
the Donnaville community members are living along the prohibited creek, the
community members decided to look for a piece of land within their own village to
relocate. They found a private land to purchase, which has an area of 350 square meters.
The proposed lot was irregular in shape, with very slightly rolling terrain and located
inside the subdivision where the members are currently living. In order to purchase the
lot, the families plan to acquire a loan from a government housing finance program
called the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) and be able to pay the property owner
collectively over a 25 year period. As stated earlier, the government initiated
Foundation for the Development of the Urban Poor was assisting them with the various
requirements, which include schematic plans in order to get their loan approved. As part
of this, the families have been assisted technically to come up with some schemes for
site layout (Fig. 1a) and house designs (Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c).

a) b)

c)
Fig. 1. a) The proposed schematic lot plan; b) proposed floor plan; and c) exterior perspective
given by the foundation

The foundation was not able to conduct any consultation with the homeowners
regarding the design of the housing unit, thus the resulting cost for each unit was not

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within the financial capabilities of the family members. Furthermore, the foundation
failed to consider solutions to problems like flooding and accessibility. The
governments and professionals prescribed solutions for the well-being of the poor based
on what they deemed proper, without involving the concerned individuals. This top-
down type approach is common among government initiated projects [9].

2. Research methodology
The methodology used in this study is the Participatory Action Design Research
(PADR). In order for this to be effective, researchers must work closely with
communities to investigate their concerns, develop proposals for transformative change,
and identify new questions to investigate [17]. Embedded in the principles of justice and
democracy, the methodology is a collaborative approach to research defined both by
participation and a determination to produce knowledge in the interest of social change
[18]. The members of community architects decided to initiate the program through a
series of workshops. The process of the workshop comprised of six phases:
a) Problem identification;
b) Evaluation of the existing houses;
c) Site visualization and inspection;
d) Visualization of house plans; and
e) Finalizing the schematic designs.
The objective of the workshop was to allow each member to contribute as well as
collaborate with the architects and planners. Each family member had a voice in the
final decision and outcome of the final plans. Studies have shown that the experiences
in the participation process show that the main source of user satisfaction is not the
degree to which a person’s needs have been met, but the feeling of having influenced
the decisions [18].

2.1. Problem identification

The workshop began with the problem identification. Problem identification of the
present situation is significant in order to recognize its strengths and weaknesses in
order to make an action plan. During this workshop, it was identified that most houses
of the community members were living near the creek which was declared as a danger
zone by the local government authorities. The rest of the houses were built on the
roadside, which is not permitted by the local government. During a discussion with
Arlene Balansag, the president of the association (Fig. 2), some of the members are
renting these houses because they could no longer afford the high cost of living near the
city.
During the interview, the families agreed that the schematic designs and the
estimated cost of the future houses provided by the foundation were unaffordable for
them. The families would like to have an alternative low-cost house design as well as
personal inputs on the final design. The families decided that one way to bring the total
cost down was to re-use some of the materials in their old houses and incorporate it into

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their new residences. Additionally, the families also would like to have a site that has
good drainage and ease of accessibility.

Fig. 2. Arlene Balansag, President of homeowners, presenting their community profile

2.2. Evaluation of existing houses

In this phase, the members of the community architects conducted surveys of the
houses of the community members (Table I) and performed interviews. This was
completed in order to identify the spatial housing needs of the members in space usage
and materials that they can still re-use into their new house.

Table I
Profile of the members of the Donnaville Homeowners Association
Name House Type Present Location
1. A. Balansag Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
2. M. Bagube Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
3. A. Decasa Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
4. C. Abesia Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
5. E. Dublin Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Road Side
6. N. Neuda Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Road Side
7. Y. Bactasolo All concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
8. Y. Yrinco All concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
9. E. Gabut Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
10. E. Opena Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
11. M. Avila All concrete with GI Roof Creek Side
12. Fuentes Partly wooden and concrete with GI Roof Creek Side

The members of the community architects proceeded to document the materials that
can, therefore, be re-used into their new houses. By recycling these materials, the cost of
the new house will, therefore, be significantly lesser and thus made affordable by the
families. Only the roof and interior fittings (doors, window frames, and cabinets) were
being re-used as suggested by the engineers and agreed by the members of the families.

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2.3. Site visualization and inspection

The first part of this workshop is the site visualization and inspection. The families,
together with the community architects, visited the relocation site and performed two
activities. First, a lot staking out activity was performed in order to easily visualize the
site to the members of the families. Lot staking out was done to easily visualize the
corners and boundaries of the proposed relocation site in order easily assess the general
location and situation of the lot. The schematic site (Fig. 3) development plan, which
was earlier provided to the community, was used as a reference.

Fig. 3. A member doing the plot staking out of the proposed site

This activity helped the participants visualize the given housing plot layouts,
common alleys and possible open space. All 12 members decided that each would be
provided with an individual lot, subdivided from the 350 square meters lot area.
However, the irregular shape of the property caused the uneven plotting of the
individual lots. The community architects, therefore, re-examined the existing schematic
site development plan given to them by the foundation. The community architects then
produced an alternative plot layout by analyzing the needs and requirements of each of
the families. During the discussion, the community architects noted that one of the most
important desires is to have ease of access to their new homes. Because of this, the
families have agreed to have an investigation of the common alleyway. A two meter
wide common alleyway was tested as to its practicability in line with the everyday
activities of the homeowners. For instance, walking (Fig. 4) along the alleyway (with or
without umbrellas) and alighting from a tricycle, the most common mode of public
transportation in the area. In order to easily visualize this space to the family members,
the community architects placed markers on the ground in order to better understand the
different distance across the alleyway. This assessment resulted in the decision of the
homeowners to widen the common alley to three meters because they felt that this is
more sensible and comfortable.

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Fig. 4. An Analysis of the two meter wide alleyway

The second part of the workshop involves site planning and space analysis of the
new site. For this activity, the community architects separated the homeowners into two
working groups and were given a scaled drawing of the Lot Plan. The groups were
given large sheets of drawing paper to cut out the twelve individual plot sizes according
to scale and arrange the new possible layout of lots. During this stage, it is important
that the architects and designers facilitate, enable and empower the members of the
group in their site planning output. Finally, the two working groups then presented their
output (Fig. 5a) for further discussions among the community members. It was
interesting to note that both groups tried to position the individual lots around the
perimeter, leaving the central area open (Fig. 5b). The planned central space was clearly
absent in the schematic lot plan provided by the foundation.

a) b)
Fig. 5. a) Site plan discussions among the two groups; b) site with a central open area

The resulting analysis and study of the two groups was a revised site plan that
includes a main common alley with a three meter width, a two meter wide access alley

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to the inner lots and a one meter service alley that connects to the creek for purposes of
drainage outfall (Fig. 6). The final site layout had an open communal space in the
middle, which can serve as a multi-functional space. The desire to connect with other
family members of the community is one of the cultural traits of the Filipino
people [19].

Fig. 6. The revised schematic lot plan

2.4. Visualization of house plans

Before introducing the process of visualizing the house plans, the community
architects gave a short discourse on Batas Pambansa 220, otherwise known as the
Socialized and Economic Housing Act of the Philippines. This is a national housing act
law that discusses the government standards on lot sizes as well as proper house
standards, which must be strictly observed. This lecture is significant since one of the
objectives of participatory design is to also impart knowledge to the community [18],
especially regarding government regulations on house standards. The visualization of
the house plans started by introducing the family members on how to visualize the
spaces (Fig. 7) in the house based on their daily activities on a 1x1 meter (1 square
meter) large format paper. By using the paper as tangible materials, the individual
families were able to find it easier to visualize the use functional spaces.
Next, the community architects gathered the community members into three
working groups. Each group was instructed to design their house layout based on an
allocated lot of dissimilar configurations (Fig. 8). In order to easily visualize the
measurements, the community architects prepared several cutout squares representing
one square meter at a scale corresponding to the illustrated lot. They were further
instructed to lay out the squares based on their specific needs of the space while the
architects provided guidance. These squares that were set on the site plot later formed
into a rough floor plan. The three groups then presented and explained their house
layout to the community architects. This activity gave the groups the opportunity to
modify their designs as suggested by the community architects.

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Fig. 7. Visualizing the one square meter block

Fig. 8. House visualization and layout exercises

In this exercise, it was observed that all three groups desire for a second floor in the
future for extended families. Therefore, the group members left an empty space on the
ground floor so that a future stairway can be constructed. In Filipino culture, families
form a strong bond and it is common to have an extended family. All of these
suggestions were documented and analyzed by the community architects as a guide for
the final floor plan of the new houses. The recommendations are as follows:
a) No interior walls (open space concept);
b) Front and rear spaces for services (laundry);
c) Simple one story construction;
d) Allocate stairway for future expansion at the second floor;
e) Place the entrance of the toilet inside;
f) Place the kitchen outside with roof;
g) Allocate toilet size of 1x1.5 meters; and
h) Toilet door must not align the main door.
Based on these feedbacks and suggestions from the family members, the community
architects proceeded with the finalization of the schematic designs.

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2.5. Finalizing the schematic designs

In this workshop, the technical drawings, bill of materials and cost estimates were
being finalized by community architects with the recommendations of the family
members. The workshop also allowed the families to gain knowledge and understanding
of building materials, cost estimation and the process of building construction. The
families agreed to use conventional materials of reinforced concrete and galvanized iron
roofing sheets while the structure of the house was also considered to allow a second-
floor future expansion. By using concrete and galvanized iron roofing, the families
achieve a sense of security, physical and mental comfort as well as an elevation of
social class. Further cost reduction strategies were suggested by the architects, for
instance, a communal septic tank was decided by the family members to reduce sanitary
drainage cost and a lean-to roof design was incorporated to encourage rainwater
harvesting. Furthermore, the lean-to roof design can be easily hoisted when the families
can eventually afford for a second-floor expansion in the future. After the analysis, the
cost estimate of the house was US$ 2,947 (labor and materials). The resulting cost was
in favourable with the families because the monthly amortization was reasonably priced
and within the means of the family members. The community architects finalized the
twelve floor plans and drainage plan (Fig. 9a) by integrating them into the final site
development plan (Fig. 9b).

a)

b)
Fig. 9. a) Location of storm water drainage and communal septic tank; b) Perspective of the final
site development plan

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Finally, the final schematic designs, site layout, construction documents and
estimates were presented to the homeowners (Fig. 10) in order for them to apply for a
financial loan through the foundation.

Fig. 10. The final floor plan and perspective of the future homes of the families

3. Conclusion
This study shows how the use of participatory design was effective in identifying
numerously feasible and cost-effective strategies in the development of an affordable
housing for the families of Donnaville Homeowners Association. By using Participative
Design Workshops, the community members were actively involved in addressing their
concerns as to come up with alternative designs of their houses in addition to the
knowledge in building materials, cost estimation and construction. These Participative
Design Workshops can be complex and requires the contribution of several actors
within the different developmental phases. Each participant is important in contributing
to the overall development of the project and the project cannot be realized without the
involvement of all the actors. The workshop resulted in a housing unit which was
affordable and beneficial to the members of the association. Although the workshop
proved to be very challenging due to different personalities and technical issues, the use
of participatory design still validates the effectiveness in community planning. Finally,
the use of participatory design as a methodology for community improvement should be
assimilated in the future design curriculum for planning courses of the universities.

Acknowledgements
This work was made possible by the Community Architects Network. The members
are: Ar. Ariel Shepherd, Ar. Christopher Ebreo, Ar. Cesar Aris, Ar. Liza Utami
Marzaman, Ar. Sriana Delfiati, Ar. Jemielin Legaspi, Chawanad Luansang, Maria
Lourdes Domingo-Price, Engr. Noel Zeta and Engr. Carlo Bongac. Finally, the
members of the Peoples Action for Community-led Shelter initiatives and the Institute
of Planning and Design, SAFAD (University of San Carlos-Technological Center).

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