Students enrolled in BS Architecture from UC College of Engineering and Architecture are taking their classroom knowledge beyond theory, transforming it into a tangible solution for community safety.
Through the University’s Center for Social Responsibility – Project H.E.L.E.N., the students unveiled a concept proposal for a riprap slope protection system at Camp 7 Elementary School, Baguio City, a site vulnerable to soil erosion and runoff during heavy rains.
Following a June 17, 2025, site inspection and coordination meeting with school officials, the students designed a structural intervention that prioritizes both safety and resilience. Their plan envisions reinforced protection for the school’s infrastructure, aiming to safeguard the learning environment and provide long-term benefits to the surrounding community.
The concept proposal was presented to the University officers headed by VP for Administration and Student Services Dr. Rhodora A. Ngolob.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the project supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by linking academic learning with practical application, allowing architecture students to apply their technical skills to address real-world community challenges related to safety and resilience. It contributes to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting the design of safe, disaster-resilient infrastructure that protects both the school and its surrounding community from erosion and landslides. The initiative also advances SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the development of innovative, engineering-informed design solutions focused on durability and disaster prevention. In addition, it aligns with SDG 13 (Climate Action) by addressing the effects of heavy rainfall and runoff through adaptive, preventive design strategies that mitigate climate-related risks. Lastly, it reinforces SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration between UC Architecture students, Project H.E.L.E.N., and Camp 7 Elementary School, demonstrating the power of academic–community partnerships in building safer and more resilient environments.
