DMCI Homes Backs Sustainable Construction Through Academic Research
DMCI Homes is investing in the future of construction by supporting innovation and sustainability-focused research. Through a long-term partnership with the University of the Philippines-College of Engineering and the UP-Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (UPERDFI), the company funds the Professorial Chair Awards to empower faculty members driving progress in their fields.
One of the awardees, Assistant Professor Christian Orozco, PhD, of the UP Institute of Civil Engineering, is at the forefront of sustainable construction research. His work centers on Life Cycle Thinking and Life Cycle Assessment methods that evaluate the environmental impact of building materials and processes from production to long-term use.
“My goal is to promote sustainability in both engineering practice and the communities we build,” said Dr. Orozco, who has been teaching at UP since 2010 and holds a Master’s in Environmental Engineering. He focuses particularly on improving concrete, one of the most widely used yet environmentally taxing materials.
“Concrete alone accounts for massive carbon emissions. If it were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of CO₂ after the US and China,” he noted. “That tells us how urgent it is to change how we build.”
With DMCI Homes’ support, Dr. Orozco continues to explore alternative, eco-friendly construction materials. He acknowledges that while these innovations may take time to be adopted widely, the long-term impact could be transformative.
“These solutions aren’t mainstream yet, but with continued backing from forward-thinking companies like DMCI Homes, we’ll eventually see sustainable construction become the norm,” he said.
Through initiatives like this, DMCI Homes is not only investing in research it’s helping shape a greener, more resilient built environment for future generations.
