Architects in Palawan: Perception and Practices Towards Green Building Design

Green building design is widely recognized as essential for sustainable development, yet its actual implementation often falls short. This study explores how architects in Palawan perceive and practice green building principles, focusing on key aspects such as energy efficiency, water conservation, material sustainability, and site sustainability. Surveys were conducted among 58 licensed architects from the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Palawan Chapter to understand their awareness, application, and challenges in adopting sustainable architecture. The results reveal a strong belief in green building design (x̄ = 4.31, Highly Positive), with the highest perception in solid waste management (x̄ = 4.50, Highly Positive). However, actual practice lags behind (x̄ = 3.36, Moderate), with site sustainability (x̄ = 3.57, Good) being the most implemented. The weakest area was green building drivers (x̄ = 2.32, Poor), highlighting a lack of financial incentives, policy support, and client demand. Interestingly, demographic factors such as age, education, and experience had no significant influence on an architect’s perception or practice. Instead, high costs, limited access to sustainable materials, and weak policy enforcement were identified as major barriers. Despite their willingness to embrace green design, architects struggle to implement it in real-world projects due to these constraints. To turn intent into action, this study calls for stronger collaboration between local government units (LGUs), the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and UAP Palawan. Initiatives such as accessible training programs, financial incentives, policy improvements, and better material supply chains can help architects bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. By addressing these external barriers, architects in Palawan can move beyond just believing in sustainability—they can start building it. Future research should explore long-term policy impacts, industry trends, and technological innovations to further strengthen green architecture in the region.