DMCI Homes invests in the future of construction through research support

Quadruple A developer DMCI Homes is reinforcing its commitment to innovation and sustainability by supporting research efforts that aim to shape the future of the construction industry.

One of the company’s key initiatives is supporting the University of the Philippines-College of Engineering’s Professorial Chair Awards through a collaboration with the University of the Philippines Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (UPERDFI). Professorial chairs are awarded to members of the faculty who have distinguished themselves in the field they represent.

Among the recipients of the DMCI Homes Professorial Chairs is Asst. Prof. Christian Orozco, PhD, a faculty member at the UP Institute of Civil Engineering, whose research centers on sustainable concrete and life cycle-based construction.

“My advocacy focuses on Life Cycle Thinking and Life Cycle Assessment, which help improve the sustainability of construction—from the materials we use to the long-term impact on communities,” Dr. Orozco shared.

‘We need to rethink how we build’

Dr. Orozco, who has been teaching in UP since 2010, holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering and has long advocated for the integration of environmental concerns in civil engineering.

Over the years, he has dedicated his academic career to developing next-generation concrete solutions—ranging from traditional and cement-replacement concrete to cutting-edge materials like geopolymer concrete, bioconcrete, and pervious concrete.

“For the longest time, I’ve been studying concrete in its many forms,” he said. “I want to improve sustainability in both our professional practice and our communities—not just to help the environment, but also to uplift the social aspect of our built environment.”

Dr. Orozco believes that widespread application of life cycle-based thinking in construction could have far-reaching benefits.

“If concrete were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, next to the United States and China,” he emphasized. “So, it’s clear we need to rethink how we build. More sustainable practices could dramatically reduce emissions and benefit everyone—from contractors and developers to policy makers and future generations.”

Investment for the Future

Through the DMCI Homes Professorial Chairs, Dr. Orozco has been able to pursue his research and conduct studies that may not have been possible otherwise.

“I’ve been a recipient of the DMCI Professorial Chair for quite some time now. I started with the David Consunji Professorial Chair in Engineering, and from that, I’ve been able to conduct research on geopolymer, bioconcrete, and pervious concrete,” he noted. “Without this kind of support, these studies may not have advanced. It's not just the grant—the equipment we use in our lab has also been donated by DMCI. That kind of support is incredibly impactful.”

He describes this partnership as a form of investment in the future, one that may not immediately be visible on a large scale, but will eventually lead to real, scalable innovations in construction.

“These are innovations we don’t yet have widely available,” he said. “But with sustained support, we will eventually see real options for sustainable construction out in the field. DMCI Homes is helping drive this change.”

Dr. Orozco also expressed optimism that the company’s commitment to supporting academic research and engineering innovation will continue.

“Please continue this kind of research and continue funding these innovations,” he said. “These efforts are planting the seeds for a better, more sustainable future for all of us.”

DMCI Homes’ support to the UP-College of Engineering Professorial Chair awards is part of Kaakbay sa Edukasyon, one of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Apart from supporting the UP-College of Engineering’s Professorial Chair Awards, DMCI Homes has been providing significant donations to the Institute of Civil Engineering such as a 2000 kN Universal Testing Machine for the Construction Materials and Structures Laboratory (CoMSLab), a lecture room, a computational laboratory, a canteen, and the 260-seat David M. Consunji Theater.

This partnership, rooted in a shared commitment to fostering academic excellence, traces back to the late founder of the DMCI Group of Companies, Engr. David M. Consunji, who co-founded UPERDFI in 1972 with the aim of “fostering the best minds in the academe to engineer a better Philippines.

DMCI Homes is the Philippines’ first Quadruple A real estate developer known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio, Boracay and Davao City. The company’s portfolio boasts of more than 70 properties since it was launched in 1999.

To learn more about DMCI Homes’ pre-selling and ready-for-occupancy projects and special promos, call (632) 5324-8888. You can also visit leasing.dmcihomes.com to know more about opportunities in leasing and rent-to-own programs of DMCI Homes. News and other updates are also posted on the company’s official website and social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.