Filipino researchers have developed a groundbreaking framework that integrates architectural design standards with urban microbiome research. This innovative approach aims to improve public health by consciously shaping microbial communities in our built environments. The study, published in Frontiers in Built Environment, highlights the significant influence of human-built spaces on our health via microbiomes – the complex communities of microbes residing within and around us.
The research team, led by Ma. Beatrice Villoria of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, brought together experts from diverse fields. This interdisciplinary collaboration included Vina Argayosa of the University of the Philippines, Angelo Rosalinas of Ove Arup & Partners, Daniel Nichol Valerio of De La Salle University, Christian Lyle La Madrid of LLUID, and Michael Xavier Ticzon of Fundamental Design Experts. Villoria explained, “It started in my thesis, I looked for a microbiologist [Argayosa] who was willing to work on this idea, and the effort paid off. Having different fields working together is a big help in our evolving society.”
Their research focused on the impact of ventilation and human occupancy on indoor bacterial levels. Using passive air sampling in Metro Manila, they measured bacterial and fungal counts under varying conditions. This data informed the creation of a framework for translating microbial research into practical design tools. Argayosa noted, “How do we measure a healthy amount of microbes in a built environment? It would actually be good to define that. Hospitals and manufacturing sites follow certain standards based on the acceptable levels of microbes they should have. Now, it’s like we’re examining our daily lives with a more studied approach—especially as things become more urbanized.”
The researchers utilized the National Building Code of the Philippines, specifically guidelines on minimum habitable room sizes, as a baseline. Their findings can influence future building codes and design practices. Villoria emphasized the adaptability of their framework to various global contexts. She added, “Other countries have their own design standards that fit the needs of their country. In our case for example, our tropical climate has a different effect on humidity, temperature, which influences the types of microbes that grow here in our country.”
The team’s conceptual framework, while initially applied to minimum habitable rooms, has broader implications. Villoria stated, “If people understood patterns between the built environment and microbes better, they can make more informed interventions later on. We’ll need to start small—like on a micro level—so we can build up the data and form patterns. This conceptual framework can still be updated and then used on a much bigger scale like the zoning of cities which affect a bigger number of people.”
Argayosa underscored the pervasive presence of microbes in our environment. She explained, “We don’t realize it, but we’re actually surrounded by microbes. Our bodies have a lot of microbes, and so does everything around us. Just being aware that these microbes are in our surroundings is already a big deal. That’s why this study asks: is there something we can do in how we design our buildings, and what kind of impact would that have?”
This research represents a significant step towards creating healthier and more sustainable built environments. The framework’s adaptability and the researchers’ call for further interdisciplinary collaboration promise to shape the future of architectural design and public health globally. The team hopes their work serves as a valuable reference point for international efforts to improve indoor environmental health.
