The GSIS Metro homes is a 4 storey residential buildings that houses hundreds of students, employees and even families. Since this housing built decades ago, it needs to undergo renovations and improvements to make it up-to-date. Heres is the list of possible things to improve on the GSIS Metro homes: BALCONIESMany apartment buildings, even condo units, have balconies in every unit of their building. According to the Time Savers Standards for Building types, a medium rise apartment building requires a balcony in every unit. Besides, there are a lot of uses of balcony, not just a haven for the panoramic view of the outside environment.The balconies can also be used as Fire Exit. When fire occurs, Some people may be trapped inside the building, and the only exit present is the balcony. Thus, balcony is an important element for the GSIS Metro Homes.

EXTERIOR FAADEBased on the Sustainable Design Module written by Jong Jin Kim of College of Architecture and Urban Planning of University of Michigan, entitled, Introduction to Sustainable Design, one of the basic strategies in order to create or design a sustainable building is to design it based on human comfort.When we say, Human Comfort, it includes Thermal, Visual and Acoustic Comfort. Connection to the external surrounding, and operable windows should also be provided. Having the present condition of the GSIS Metro Homes, we can say that that is not a sustainable building.To make it sustainable, we can create a bridge way that will connect all of its building and enveloped it with curtain glass wall to accommodate natural lighting. Existing walls can be covered with curtain wall of plants to accommodate photosynthesis.

SUPPORTING FACILITIESAccording to the Time Savers Standards, for a medium rise building, it is intended to have a play area, or a swimming pool, with sitting area. As we observed in GSIS Metro Homes, it has a vacant lot. It could be converted into a play area for kids. Or it can be converted into an open park for recreational activities.

PEDICAB/TRICYCLE TERMINALThere is an existing terminal for the tricycle and the pedicab. However, it can be improved. There can be a depot for both tricycle and pedicab inside the GSIS building so that the said vehicles will not occupy the Anonas Street and will be ease the traffic.

RAMPS, ELEVATORS, AND FIRE EXITThe present condition of the GSIS buildings shows the lack of ramps, and elevator. Clearly, it violated the Accessibility Act. Also, the present condition of the GSIS buildings shows the dilapidated fire exits. Thus, the main entry of the buildings will be utilized as fire exit.As a solution, the center of each of the GSIS building can have elevators. Hydraulic elevators can used to minimize the space and to avoid having a machine room on the roof deck.

WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENTSince the GSIS Metro Homes is located along Pasig River, it can be the opportunity to be a Waterfront Development just like in Marikina Riverbanks. The development can accommodate space that can be used as a recreational space.