Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Location
Sofitel Philippine Plaza is situated along Roxas boulevard and sits adjacent to the
Cultural Center of the Philippines. It is located in the center of Pasay city and is very
accessible to different modes of transportation, with both domestic and international
airports only 15 minutes.
https://www.sofitelmanila.com/location/
Neighborhood context
Climate
The climate of Pasay is classified as Type 1 under the Corona classification used
by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) depending on rainfall pattern. It is characterized by two seasons: rainy
season from May to October and dry season from January to April, when rainfall drops
to 10-30-mm/ month. In general, Metro Manila is directly influenced by an average of
2 to 3 tropical cyclones per year.
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-document/72184/phi-naia-airport.pdf
Summary Environmental Impact Assessment Ninoy Aquino International Airport
International Passenger Terminal 3 In The Philippines
The site of Sofitel Philippine Plaza is approximately located along the Manila Bay
which brings magnificent views of the bay and the sunset to the guests and visitors of
the hotel. However, the proximity to the bay also makes it prone to flooding and storm
surge thus, a water canal was constructed along the poolside of the resort-hotel to
return the water back to the Manila bay incase of flooding around the area.
Soil
Sofitel Philippine Plaza is situated on the New Coastal Reclamation Area (NCRA)
of Pasay City. One of the key disadvantage of NCRA lies in the artificial ground
structure which is not cost efficient as far as structural foundations are concerned. This
makes construction in the NCRA the second most expensive than elsewhere in Pasay
City.
Pasay consists of two (2) terrain units, an eastern undulating section and a
western alluvial portion, which extends up to Manila Bay. For the site of Sofitel Manila,
it is considered under the western alluvial portion. Quaternary Alluvial (QA1) is
comprised of detrital deposits mostly silt, sand and gravel.
Fig. _ Geologic Map of Pasay City
Pasay City Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 2014-2019
The site of Sofitel Manila has the land and soil characteristics of former
tidal flats ( Coastal Landscape) as per Metro Manila Land Resource Evaluation
Project. The former tidal flats consist of areas more inland and slightly higher
than the active tidal flats. Its elevation ranges from 2 to 5 meters. It has slow to
moderate permeability and a soil texture of clay to silty clay loam. It is poorly
drained and prone to moderate seasonal flooding, highly compressible, and
corrosive to uncoated steel pipes. Its parent materials are alluvial sediments,
former tidal mudflats underlain with peaty and mucky materials.
Topography
The site of Sofitel Manila is located on the western part of the Pasay City, around
the coastal area. The western part of Pasay City is level to nearly level. The western
area of Pasay city is characterized by coastal plains along the Manila with surface
elevations range from 2 meters above the mean sea level.
COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN OF PASAY CITY, Physical environment
Hazards
o Flooding
The site is considered to be a flood prone area and classified under low frequency
flood prone areas.
o Subsidence
There are no traced earthquake fault line that traverses the City of Pasay. However,
the city is not spared from other related geologic hazards such as tsunamis, ground
shaking, and liquefaction. The site is considered to have high liquefaction potential
considering the site is situated beside a water body.
SWOT ANALYSIS:
STRENGTH
o Location- known for its spectacular Manila bay sunsets. It continues to
attract both local and international travelers alike with its signature brand
of Filipino hospitality and the French joie de vivre. It is also located in the
city center and near airport, train stations and theme parks.
o Facilities- 609 rooms including 46 suites, 17 function rooms, lagoon pool,
recreation and spa.
o Managed by Accor Hotels- the world’s leading hotel operator and market
leader in Europe
o Luxury Brand- An iconic 5-star hotel standing amid an expansive tropical
setting.
o Feel Welcome- a promise that resonates as a pledge from a group that
is always open to cultures, talents and passions wherever they are.
o HACCP certified.
WEAKNESSES
o Location is prone to natural disasters such as typhoon and storm
surge.
OPPORTUNITIES
o An extensive brand portfolio with a comprehensive range of options from
luxury to economy.
o Housed royalties, celebrities and heads of state which helps boost
hotel’s public image.
o Planet 21 program- commitment to change the production and
consumption patterns with the goal of protecting our planet, its people
and their environment.
THREATS
o Intense competition with nearby hotels
The iconic swimming pool of Sofitel Philippine Plaza along the coastline of
Manila Bay is designed by landscape visionary and landscape artist Ildefonso P.
Santos. It is an ideal location for leisurely afternoons with the family. Its turquoise
waters, water slides and beatific falls present a pool of options for water enthusiasts.
A kiddie pool is also available for young water bugs along with mini life vests for fun
leisurely afternoons under the sun. A grassy knoll facing the seawall is adorned with
oversized tanning pillows and low cocktail tables ideal for lounging around with family,
enjoying refreshments, taking in a good book or simply indulging in the majestic
surroundings until the arresting Manila Bay sunsets.
https://www.ahstatic.com/photos
Most of the landscaping elements within the site contributes to the tropical
atmosphere the resort-hotel wants to bring to its guests and visitors.
Curved-line landscape
PARKING :
PAVEMENTS/ PAVING:
Asphalt has also long life-span but does require preventative maintenance.
With the right maintenance, asphalt pavement can last twenty or more years.
Fig. _ Pavements from the poolside going to the Sofitel spiral
As you walk around from the poolside going inside the hotel, a change of paving
material could be noticed. The pavement changes from concrete pavers to Grey Basalt
stone pavers. Basalt tiles & pavers provide a beautiful and unique ambiance to the
place. Basalt pavers can be used for a variety of architectural purposes, be it for
highlighting flower beds or vegetable gardens, or even for the construction of many a
water fountain or statue as well. It forms an excellent complement and helps in drawing
attention to all their highlights.
Fig. _ Concrete pavement in Sofitel poolside
Concrete pavers were used along the poolside of Sofitel. Concrete pavers are
less susceptible to cracking. Tree roots, shifting soil, freezing, and thawing can cause
cracks to form in large slabs of poured concrete and since pavers are smaller, and
move independently, the same conditions won’t cause cracking. It also helps eliminate
runoff. The spacing between pavers enables water to permeate the area rather than
run off a larger field of concrete.
https://fnbreport.ph/features/hospitality/how-hotels-make-the-most-of-sustainability-
practices-denisef-20160401/