CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In recent years, the call for sustainable development and

environmentally responsible construction practices has
intensified, especially in light of increasing global waste
production and climate-related challenges. The construction
industry, while vital to infrastructure growth, is one of the
largest contributors to material waste and carbon emissions.
In response, civil engineers are now challenged to create
structures that not only meet safety and functionality
standards but also minimize environmental impact.

Binalonan, Pangasinan, home to the University of Eastern

Pangasinan (UEP) and other nearby schools, has a growing
population of students who come from surrounding provinces and
rural areas. Many of these students rely on off-campus lodging
such as dormitories or boarding houses. However, existing
options often lack sustainability features, and very few, if
any, use eco-friendly materials or prioritize student health
and comfort in their design.

This study proposes the design and structural planning of a

student boarding house constructed from recycled and
sustainable materials. The goal is to demonstrate that eco-
conscious engineering solutions can be applied effectively to
real-world student housing needs, particularly in rural and
developing settings like Binalonan. The proposed design will
focus on environmental responsibility, thermal comfort,
safety, and livability—offering a blueprint for future
sustainable infrastructure projects.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem

Many boarding houses and dormitories near academic

institutions are built using conventional materials that
contribute significantly to environmental degradation and
resource depletion. Additionally, some lack essential comfort
and design features suited for long-term student habitation.

Main Problem:
How can a structurally sound, environmentally sustainable, and
student-oriented boarding house be designed using recycled and
eco-friendly materials in Binalonan, Pangasinan?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

General Objective:
To design a structurally sound and environmentally sustainable
student boarding house using recycled and eco-friendly
construction materials in Binalonan, Pangasinan.

Specific Objectives:

1. To assess the structural viability and environmental

impact of selected recycled and sustainable construction
materials.
2. To develop architectural and structural plans that
integrate passive design strategies suitable for tropical
climates.
3. To create a boarding house layout that addresses the
comfort, safety, and accessibility needs of student
occupants.

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1.4 Research Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis (H₀):

The use of recycled and sustainable materials does not
significantly affect the structural integrity, functionality,
or livability of the proposed boarding house.

Alternative Hypothesis (H₁):

The use of recycled and sustainable materials positively
contributes to the structural integrity, functionality, and
livability of the proposed boarding house.

1.5 Scope and Delimitation

Scope:

• The project will focus on the design and structural

planning of a two-story student boarding house.
• The materials to be explored include eco-bricks (from
plastic waste), reclaimed wood, bamboo, fly ash concrete,
and other green alternatives.
• The design will include common spaces (e.g., study area,
communal kitchen, comfort rooms) and incorporate
sustainability features such as natural ventilation,
rainwater collection, and passive cooling.

Delimitation:

• The project does not include the physical construction or

budget estimation.
• The study will be limited to conceptual and technical
planning, including simulations and material testing
based on literature and laboratory data.

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 • The boarding house will be designed to house
approximately 12–16 students and will be based on typical
lot sizes near UEP.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant for several reasons:

• For Civil Engineering Students: It provides a practical

application of sustainable design principles and
structural analysis, preparing future engineers for
environmentally responsible practices.
• For Educational Institutions and Planners: The design
offers a prototype that can be replicated or adapted to
improve student housing infrastructure in rural and semi-
urban areas.
• For the Environment: By using recycled materials and
passive design, the project contributes to reducing
construction waste and energy consumption.
• For the Community: It promotes awareness of sustainable
building practices and offers a model of safe, healthy,
and eco-friendly living spaces for students.

1.7 Definition of Terms

• Eco-friendly Materials: Construction materials that have

minimal negative impact on the environment, often made
from recycled or renewable resources.
• Recycled Materials: Items that have been reprocessed and
repurposed for use in new construction, such as eco-
bricks made from plastic waste.
• Passive Design: Architectural strategies that optimize
natural energy sources (like sunlight and wind) to

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 maintain comfortable indoor conditions without relying on
mechanical systems.
• Structural Integrity: The ability of a building or
structure to withstand its intended load without failure
or excessive deformation.
• Rainwater Harvesting: The collection and storage of
rainwater for reuse, typically for non-potable purposes
such as flushing toilets or irrigation.
• Green Architecture: A building philosophy that seeks to
minimize the environmental impact of buildings through
energy efficiency and sustainable material use.

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CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

2.1 Related Literature

2.1.1 Foreign Literature

1. Charles J. Kibert, Ph.D., Professor of Sustainable

Construction, University of Florida (2016). Sustainable
Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery.
Introduces foundational sustainable construction
practices, emphasizing the integration of recycled and
renewable materials into environmentally responsible
building design.
2. Victor Olgyay, Architect and Environmental Design
Theorist (2015). Design with Climate: Bioclimatic
Approach to Architectural Regionalism.
Highlights passive cooling and climate-responsive
architecture, essential for energy-efficient boarding
houses in tropical areas like Pangasinan.
3. Bjorn Berge, Architect and Ecological Building Materials
Researcher (2009). The Ecology of Building Materials.
Discusses various building materials based on
environmental and health impacts, including bamboo, earth
blocks, and plastics, suited for eco-friendly structures.
4. Md. Rahman, Ph.D., Environmental Engineer; et al. (2019).
"Structural Performance of Eco-Bricks as Non-Load-Bearing
Walls" – Journal of Waste Management.
Evaluates the potential of eco-bricks from plastic waste
for use in non-structural elements in small residential
buildings.
5. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2020).
Greening the Construction Sector: Innovations and
Practices.

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 Reviews successful international models where recycled
and sustainable materials were used in educational
housing projects.

2.1.2 Local Literature

1. Engr. Antonio Del Rosario (2018). Structural Assessment

of Bamboo as a Sustainable Framing Material in the
Philippines – University of the Philippines Diliman.
Analyzes the mechanical and structural properties of
bamboo in residential framing, showing its potential for
low-rise structures.
2. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
(DHSUD) (2020). Philippine Green Building Code and
Guidelines.
Promotes eco-friendly design practices including the use
of recycled materials, rainwater harvesting, and passive
cooling in building projects.
3. Maria Lourdes Lazaro, Architect and Researcher (2019).
Recycled Materials for Sustainable Housing in Rural Luzon
– Technological Institute of the Philippines.
Demonstrates successful integration of recycled materials
like wood, plastics, and tin roofing in sustainable
housing prototypes.
4. Francisco Garcia, M.Arch. (2021). Student Preferences for
Sustainable Dormitory Design – Pangasinan State
University.
Reveals a growing preference among students for eco-
friendly and well-ventilated dormitories that offer
comfort and health benefits.
5. Josefina Tagle, Civil Engineer (2020). Feasibility of
Compressed Earth Blocks in Low-Cost Urban Housing – Mapúa
University.
Explores the use of locally sourced clay for compressed

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 earth blocks as alternatives to conventional hollow
blocks.

2.2 Synthesis

The integration of eco-friendly materials in housing has been

a significant focus of both foreign and local literature.
Studies on sustainable construction have shown that the use of
recycled materials can effectively reduce the environmental
impact of buildings, especially in low-cost housing projects
(Kibert, 2016; Rahman et al., 2019). The focus on local
materials like bamboo, earth blocks, and recycled plastics has
been particularly relevant in the Philippines, where they are
abundant and sustainable alternatives (Del Rosario, 2018;
Lazaro, 2019). Additionally, studies on student dormitories
emphasize the importance of incorporating sustainable, energy-
efficient designs, which aligns with the objectives of this
study to build a boarding house that supports both
environmental and economic sustainability (Garcia, 2021;
Villanueva, 2021).

2.3 Theoretical / Conceptual Framework

The study will be guided by the Sustainable Design Theory,

which focuses on designing buildings with minimal
environmental impact by using materials that are resource-
efficient and environmentally friendly. This framework aligns
with the principles of Eco-Architecture and Bioclimatic
Design, where buildings are designed with their local climate
in mind to optimize energy consumption (Olgyay, 2015). The use
of eco-friendly and locally available materials will be
explored to ensure that the project minimizes both the carbon

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footprint and construction costs, aligning with the
sustainable housing needs for students in Pangasinan.

2.4 Research Paradigm

The research paradigm for this study is illustrated as

follows:

• Input:
o Identification of sustainable materials (bamboo,
eco-bricks, etc.)
o Analysis of local environmental conditions in
Binalonan, Pangasinan
o Review of existing building codes and sustainability
standards
• Process:
o Design of an eco-friendly boarding house using
identified materials
o Evaluation of the environmental impact of the design
o Structural assessment of materials for safety and
durability
• Output:
o A final design for an eco-friendly boarding house
suited for students in Binalonan
o Structural and environmental impact reports

2.5 Related Studies

2.5.1 Foreign Studies

1. Ravi Kumar, M.Sc. in Sustainable Architecture, and Arjun

Singh, Civil Engineer (2019). "Utilization of Recycled
Materials in Student Dormitories: A Case Study from Rural

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 India" – International Journal of Sustainable
Construction.
Details how recycled and locally sourced materials were
used to build sustainable dormitories, reducing
environmental and economic burdens.
2. Pimchanok Chansiri, M.Arch., Lecturer in Sustainable
Design, Chiang Mai University (2020). "Green Dormitory
Initiative: Bamboo-Based Design in Thailand’s Tropical
Region" – Journal of Environmental Architecture.
Explores bamboo-integrated dormitory designs optimized
for hot climates with natural ventilation and renewable
energy.
3. Miguel Lopez, Ph.D., and Thuy Nguyen, M.Arch. (2018).
"Passive Cooling in Tropical Student Housing" – Asian
Journal of Architecture.
Assesses the success of passive cooling systems and
ventilation strategies in dormitories across Southeast
Asia.
4. Lukman Adeyemi, M.Eng. in Environmental Engineering
(2021). "Bottle Bricks for Housing: A Sustainable
Building Alternative in Sub-Saharan Africa" –
International Journal of Green Materials.
Examines the use of compacted sand-filled plastic bottles
as eco-bricks in low-rise housing, demonstrating
structural viability.
5. James Smith, B.Arch., University of Oregon (2017).
"University Eco-Village Design Using Repurposed Materials
in the U.S." – Journal of Sustainable Design and
Practice.
Documents a student-led eco-village project using
shipping pallets and recycled concrete panels for
sustainable temporary dorms.

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2.5.2 Local Studies

1. Ricardo Santiago, M.Eng. in Civil Engineering (2022).

"Eco-Bricks in Northern Luzon Housing Projects" – Saint
Louis University.
Evaluates the load performance of eco-bricks and their
application in partition walls for low-cost housing.
2. Diana Villanueva, Architect and Lecturer (2021). "Green
Design for Student Dormitories in Pangasinan" –
Pangasinan State University.
Designs sustainable dormitory models with green features
such as recycled wood, improved ventilation, and green
roofing.
3. Maricel Cruz, Civil Engineer (2020). "Structural
Performance of Compressed Earth Blocks in Rural
Residential Buildings" – Mariano Marcos State University.
Investigates the compressive strength and thermal
benefits of earth blocks in rural housing prototypes.
4. Leonardo Reyes, M.Arch. in Urban Housing Design (2019).
"Student Preferences and Space Optimization in Boarding
Houses" – Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Surveys Manila-based students and reveals preferences for
eco-friendly, space-efficient boarding house designs.
5. Jerome Flores, B.S. in Civil Engineering (2020). "Design
and Construction of a Low-Cost Sustainable House Using
Recycled Materials in Nueva Ecija" – Central Luzon State
University.
Demonstrates practical applications of recycled
construction materials for low-cost, environmentally
friendly housing.

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