Key Success Factors Aligning Sustainability Principles with Structural Restoration of Heritage Buildings: Insights from the Philippine Context

Heritage buildings in the Philippines embody cultural identity, architectural legacy, and historical continuity [1, 2]. These structures face increasing threats from climate change, urbanization, and material degradation [3, 4]. This study examines how sustainability principles—covering environmental, cultural, and economic dimensions—can be effectively integrated into the structural restoration of heritage buildings. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. Twenty professionals, including architects, engineers, and conservators [5, 6], from both government and private sectors, participated in a structured survey using a five-point Likert scale [7] to assess the importance of identified sustainability criteria, common challenges, and the role of expert input. In parallel, semi-structured interviews with the same participants provided deeper qualitative insights into the balance between sustainability goals, cultural authenticity, and regulatory compliance. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine priority rankings, while a thematic analysis of qualitative responses revealed key factors, including structural stability, material selection, financial viability, policy compliance, and stakeholder collaboration. Results indicate that cultural authenticity and climate resilience rank highest among sustainability priorities, while major barriers include financial constraints, material availability, and the need to reconcile preservation ethics with modern interventions. The study proposes a framework for integrating sustainability into heritage restoration that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptive reuse, and policy support. These findings contribute to the development of practical strategies for achieving environmentally responsible, culturally respectful, and economically viable restoration in the Philippine context.