Integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence: a model

In this work, a conceptual framework is proposed for translating microbial research into usable design tools in an urban built environment. This study on Microbiomes of the Built Environment (MoBE), specifically the cultivable microbial count, incorporates building code and built environment design...

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Main Authors: Ma. Beatrice D. Villoria, Vina B. Argayosa, Angelo D. Rosalinas, Daniel Nichol R. Valerio, Christian Lyle La Madrid, Michael Xavier N. Ticzon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Built Environment
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2024.1517638/full
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author Ma. Beatrice D. Villoria
Vina B. Argayosa
Angelo D. Rosalinas
Daniel Nichol R. Valerio
Christian Lyle La Madrid
Michael Xavier N. Ticzon
author_facet Ma. Beatrice D. Villoria
Vina B. Argayosa
Angelo D. Rosalinas
Daniel Nichol R. Valerio
Christian Lyle La Madrid
Michael Xavier N. Ticzon
author_sort Ma. Beatrice D. Villoria
collection DOAJ
description In this work, a conceptual framework is proposed for translating microbial research into usable design tools in an urban built environment. This study on Microbiomes of the Built Environment (MoBE), specifically the cultivable microbial count, incorporates building code and built environment design factors applied in the Philippine setting. The National Building Code of the Philippines with focus on minimum habitable room specifications was used to provide basis for the framework process. Human presence and ventilation were used as parameters to produce data that can be used as design tools. Using passive air sampling, the three experiments were conducted within Metro Manila according to the proposed framework. The first experiment using settle plates of culture media in the morning and afternoon seeks to understand how bacterial and fungal counts are affected in a naturally ventilated and in a non-ventilated room. The second and third experiments were done to test the effects of different window sizes and the number of humans on bacterial count, respectively. Results showed higher bacterial count in the room with natural ventilation compared to the room with no ventilation. The use of different window sizes did not show significant difference in counts with the number replicates used but as the number of humans in the area increased, the bacterial counts also increased. Data produced in the preliminary experiments were used to conceptually design a space in this paper. The authors suggest that this building-code inspired framework be used as a guide for MoBE studies as a starting point and be further developed to understand and eventually produce healthier built environments.
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spelling doaj-art-05c8579bdd8d4215af7c78fad1e6700c2025-01-21T15:14:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Built Environment2297-33622025-01-011010.3389/fbuil.2024.15176381517638Integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence: a modelMa. Beatrice D. Villoria0Vina B. Argayosa1Angelo D. Rosalinas2Daniel Nichol R. Valerio3Christian Lyle La Madrid4Michael Xavier N. Ticzon5Architecture Program, School of Environment and Design, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, Manila, PhilippinesMicrobiological Research and Services Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, PhilippinesInfrastructure, Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Ltd. – Philippine Branch, Mandaluyong, PhilippinesDepartment of Civil Engineering, De La Salle University, Manila, PhilippinesWe Design Lab LLUID Builders INC., Antipolo, PhilippinesFundamental Design Experts, Makati, PhilippinesIn this work, a conceptual framework is proposed for translating microbial research into usable design tools in an urban built environment. This study on Microbiomes of the Built Environment (MoBE), specifically the cultivable microbial count, incorporates building code and built environment design factors applied in the Philippine setting. The National Building Code of the Philippines with focus on minimum habitable room specifications was used to provide basis for the framework process. Human presence and ventilation were used as parameters to produce data that can be used as design tools. Using passive air sampling, the three experiments were conducted within Metro Manila according to the proposed framework. The first experiment using settle plates of culture media in the morning and afternoon seeks to understand how bacterial and fungal counts are affected in a naturally ventilated and in a non-ventilated room. The second and third experiments were done to test the effects of different window sizes and the number of humans on bacterial count, respectively. Results showed higher bacterial count in the room with natural ventilation compared to the room with no ventilation. The use of different window sizes did not show significant difference in counts with the number replicates used but as the number of humans in the area increased, the bacterial counts also increased. Data produced in the preliminary experiments were used to conceptually design a space in this paper. The authors suggest that this building-code inspired framework be used as a guide for MoBE studies as a starting point and be further developed to understand and eventually produce healthier built environments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2024.1517638/fullarchitectureengineeringbuilt environmentbioinformed designmicrobiomesmicrobiology
spellingShingle Ma. Beatrice D. Villoria
Vina B. Argayosa
Angelo D. Rosalinas
Daniel Nichol R. Valerio
Christian Lyle La Madrid
Michael Xavier N. Ticzon
Integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence: a model
Frontiers in Built Environment
architecture
engineering
built environment
bioinformed design
microbiomes
microbiology
title Integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence: a model
title_full Integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence: a model
title_fullStr Integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence: a model
title_full_unstemmed Integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence: a model
title_short Integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence: a model
title_sort integrating building code to microbial count studies in urban built spaces with ventilation and human presence a model
topic architecture
engineering
built environment
bioinformed design
microbiomes
microbiology
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2024.1517638/full
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