MANILA : San Sebastian + Gota De Leche

Seeing pictures of Manila in its Hay day gives me goose bumps like no other. It is only just now that I realized there is beauty and majesty in Manila, even now. Out of all the chaos and twisted metal Jeepneys that rule the streets are the Landmarks that have shaped Manila's identity all over the world. That's how powerful the Architecture was, back in the day. So immense that it made us one of the most coveted tourist destinations among others like Paris, London and European Countries. But that label is long gone, and we are now struggling to preserve it. In many ways you can see how the modernization of Manila has taken its toll, crushing Manila's scenic views, and fresh air. Burnham never planned with LRT or SM department store in mind. It is only then that Filipinos have been affected by Commercialism and has changed the Filipino ways.

It is only in Europe that you'll find iconic Gothic Churches that are known all over the world. Who would have known that one could find the same here, under the colossal concrete commercial centers in and around the University belt. The glory of San Sebastian Church is unlike no other church in the country. This monumental church completed in 1981 by Gustave Eiffel is the only all steel church in Asia. It is majestic in all its glory. It stands in this small lot covered by all the chaos, yet when approaching you would never feel that, you would feel you are somewhere in Europe and all the surrounding buildings turn into Al fresco dining places or coffee shops. Nonetheless, a perfect steel structure like this standing in the heart of Manila never gets noticed, and is seldom recognized by passersby. I can say it is wonderfully preserved. The stained glass windows are still intact despite all the climate changes. The beautiful steel interiors and furnishings are still there and are well taken care of by the Administration. Although its is beautiful in itself only, there is this extension beside it that personally, I really hate. The Chartres Cathedral didn't have an extension, didn't it? Restoring for that manner is one way Architects are able to bring back the glory and life of as structure. You can see that being done in the Church. The intricate details are still there. You still encounter the feeling of awe walking in the Church, and other than the Tangible factors of restoration there is still the need to restore the feeling a structure can impose on people.

Got Milk? Well, might as well drop by Gota De Leche, a clinic established in 1907 for children to prevent malnutrition. Designed by Juan Arellano and Arcadio Arellano, this building has been recognized and now holds the 2003 Heritage Award of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This Beautiful Renaissance style building has been restored a number of times and is now planning to undergo a 3rd one. The beautiful Rounded Arches greet you before coming inside the building. The original wooden doors, windows and furniture are placed inside and are still there, in their original position. The most eye catching part of the building for me was the intricate wooden beams upstairs, as well as the carved furniture. Personally, It is a beautiful building. But it has lost all its majesty and is not even recognized by people outside. At its current state, I think the restoration process was not done do restore the building yet it diminishes the character of the structure. Restoration is a continuous process, it should not have been done hastily. The paint job wasn't even nicely done. Doing the extensions behind the building even adjacent to it is just plain wrong for me. The rooms has very significant historical value, why put an extension on it when it doesn't have any particular purpose? I would've left the building stand on its own. It doesn't need to have a label, or a sign. You would know how a building is beautifully done when you know exactly what it is without even asking. This building is very historically significant, we should always know how to treasure the things we have and not ruin it further by modifying it to an extent.

I'am very sensitive in dealing with structures in Manila. I think its clear now. It is here and now that we face the hard truth between separating values and tradition. We should always treasure the past, what we have. Because once in our lives we have been the Paris of Asia. So to speak, It is a dream of mine to see that again, and to feel it again. What better way to start than now.

Ideas : SKYWOOD AND PAXTON

A house is the simplest yet complex piece of Architecture one could ever encounter. It is a matter of putting all the most basic principles and mixing it well with good design that can significantly increase the state of living of a person. The common perception of a house is a box with a roof on top, which is not always the case especially today. We now live in a modern world. Each day is a different day and nothing is ever the same as yesterday. There is an incredible influence of technology in all of the things we do nowadays not to mention we all started out in a box with a roof. Out of all the chaos that is Technology, Architecture maybe if not is one of the most necessary things man can’t live without and probably the most that is affected by Economic, Social, and Political problems. With that being said, it’s just hard to constrain ourselves in a box, whereas people’s lifestyles change along with everything in their environment. So what exactly is a “house” in our time today?

Well maybe for some, it’s not that of a big deal but a house’s efficiency and design affects the people living in it. It is so vital for us to design houses that are liveable and flexible. Spaces are most important to consider because this is where you reside inside the house. It dictates the way you move and experience the house. For some reason I thought the Skywood house has a brilliant minimalist character at least everyone in the class does. But for me that’s all there is to it. It is brilliant in a way that it kind of resonates the whole idea of Minimalism into more of an experiential concept. I think having to stick with the minimalist concept limited the exploration of spaces that could make the house more like a house. Another thing is having to cram up spaces in order to fit it in the floor area. Personally, Planning the spaces is everything. If you start off with a good concept and plan then you can achieve what needs to be achieved, in this case I feel it could’ve reached its potential if the planning was good then it can be a good house. I mean who wants an airplane bathroom sized bathroom in your house. I’am not so much of a minimalist myself though for me this house is a good example of the concept it’s just that, having to stick with that concept prevented it from growing.

So maybe a house doesn’t have to be big to be livable. It’s our job to make a space work in its own worth. Some houses are just plain and simple but none the less, it works, But not he Paxton house. Not even a tile in this house is simple. It is the house of the future as they say. But is the so called “house of the future” considerate to human needs and necessities? Or is it just a label.

The future holds a lot of things for us but it surely is unpredictable, isn’t it? For a house like this, the unpredictable acts as a tool for the designer to achieve a home for them to live in. It’s not just called the house of the future for its futuristic appearance and furniture but the fact that it is moving forward, opening new ways and means of living and redefining the stereotype. It’s not a simple house because of the structural and technological components, but the idea is somehow simple. The hierarchy of spaces show the Private vs. Public spaces. What I like about this house is that the kids have a separate space that they could grow in. The most alluring part of the house is the indoor pool, hovering around the living room. The retractable roof allows for natural lighting and ventilation. We are certainly not robots. We need sunlight, air even rain to live and it is dramatically shown in this house. It’s a matter of putting the right things together. Not just putting something because it looks nice or it looks futuristic. Futurists look into the world or see the world as a blank canvass where they could create things beyond reality. It is a matter of exploring what we can do to improve our quality of life and it’s our job anyway.

Architects are not just responsible for buildings. The power vested in us are far more powerful, Whether it’s just a house or a High rise condominium it all depends on how it works its magic with the people around it.

IDEAS : SDA Building ; Transformer or Printer?

Manila is one of the busiest cities in the world. The jungle that Manila is, Filipinos nowadays tend to neglect its worth and heritage. Manila stood tall in par with well known countries in the past. It was considered to Paris of Asia during the American Colonial Period. It is amazing to see how it was in its heyday. Its momentum is enhanced by the surroundings. Beautiful buildings, nowadays, we just tend to look down on it. With the vast population increasing and increasing, people can no longer support themselves and their families. All kinds of problems affected how we lived and treat the environment. People are too busy worrying about everything except Manila itself. Many just think of it as a grim city or just a city, for it’s not.

Inside the busy streets of Pablo Ocampo is a Mammoth structure. Completely out of place inside Manila’s residential district & Redefining Manila’s modern Skyline. Approaching the building, you would see how the pavement is shaped into something very unusual for a place like this. Back then, it was the Classical Roman federalist buildings that stood out. The Manila City Hall, Post-Office Building as well as Universities like Mapua and Lyceum. Don’t get me wrong, I love those buildings. They have created Manila’s identity from the ground up. But these buildings are merely ignored by people nowadays. Their worth is not appreciated anymore and that is quite disappointing. Soaring high among the grounds is the SDA Building, The newest addition to Ed Calama’s outstanding line of work. This building is a new extension of the De La Salle Philippines long line of campuses in Manila. Peeping through the busy Manila streets, this Modern Mid-rise building is yet to be discovered by passersby since it is situated deep into the narrow streets.

It was around Many 2010 when I first got to see the building in person. Back then, I wasn’t really appreciative of anything yet because, I knew nothing about it or Architecture. There was surely something about it at first sight that anyone who might lay eyes on it can feel. The subtlety it brings to the eyes with such complicated forms gathers attention everywhere you go around the complex. One of the most memorable experiences a structure could give is the approach itself, and this building does that perfectly. Some people may hate it as much as they can, but of course not everyone is an Architect, so not everyone can appreciate it.

One of the most noticeable part of the building is the massive cantilevered structure rising above ground with such elegance. The folding language of the steel structural elements adds such character to it that it continues almost at every part of the building. The Concrete slabs greet you on your way to the Lobby as it peels away from the pavement and creates these elegant forms on the ground. Curtain walls surround the building like garment that adds drama and sets it apart from any structures in the area. Entering the building, the Cathedral height ceiling is majestic and gives you that relaxing feeling. The Spacious lobby is unlike any other. Other schools merely include a lobby. I’ve been to many universities in Manila, and their “Lobby” was just kind of a waiting area whereas SDA’s Lobby is much more than that. Walls are Snow White and Striking red details and signs pierce through ones view. You can notice the plain concrete slab floors that are perfectly raw and refined. The Lobby is meant to be a place only for Entering, Exiting and waiting, but for CSB Students, it’s more than just that. Sometime in my freshmen year, I was in the 2^nd floor when I saw someone dancing on the Lobby. Dance Majors performed a beautiful ballet number that was sort of a flash mob that everyone enjoyed. The Plainness of the place allows students to create the experience inside it. It can be a gallery if they want it to or an open stage or even a venue for concerts. It is really not enough that you go only into the Lobby; there are 14 floors of the SDA Building which the students use full time. Degree programs allow for a stunning, state of the art school with everything they need and will need inside. It is not like any other school in the Metro. Its futuristic appearance also translates into the Courses offered as well as the Students, Faculty and Facilities offered. There are a number of reasons why this school is said to be innovative and different in a good way.

The school’s Vision is about Dynamic and innovative learning. Some Courses offered can only be found in SDA like Animation, Game Design and Prototypes of much typical courses like Music Production, Technical Theater and Production Design. Somewhat the school acts as an art lovers haven for creativity and everything in the building’s interiors can be associated with the students. The SDA Building is my home from Monday to Friday for at least 5 hours a day. Staying inside is no Stressful or Tense matter. There is a certain environment that the building has that sort of gears you up for the day ahead. Each floor are an embodiment of the individual courses offered by the school. Floors are absolutely different from each other both physically and emotionally. The first 4 floors are more of the Administrative and Office spaces. Going to the 5^th floor is a completely different story. It houses the Theater, Prop house and Classrooms for the Industrial Design students. The Large and open curtain walls allow light and natural air to come in. The Classrooms/Studios are well equipped with tools and Machines that students use for their Studio work. Not Only that, The SDA’s wide corridors allows students to use them as exhibition spaces if needed. The SDA Building is indeed not a typical school. There are many different things that set it apart from others. Aside from Architecture, The school also houses the most prominent Professors and teaching modules that allow for a more effective learning strategy. It is nice to encounter new teaching strategies so that students could learn and have fun at the same time.

The 6^th floor is the territory of the Music Production, Dance, and Photography students. The spacious interiors allow everyone to play music wherever they want. Indeed it is multi-purpose. The Corridor may transform into a Walkway, Dance floor, Music room, Art Studio or a Photo booth whenever or wherever in the SDA Building. It’s like the room of requirement, in Harry Potter. It’s almost magic how it can actually transform into so many forms without actually transforming.

Now, we all know that Libraries are just plain boring and irrelevant nowadays. SDA’s spacious Library is not boring at all. This is where technology and bookworms meet. The huge collection of books provides students with ample sources of information with just one click form the computer. Students can also access books form their household by the use of internet. I’ve never seen such Library with up to date book titles for the student to enjoy. Design students frequently visit the library to draw and make “Plates” because of the Quiet environment. Aside from the Library, The Architecture program owns the 7^th floor that has the Drafting tables for Drafting and Modelling. It’s amazing how student population have grown in the past few years. CSB Design Students are now getting attention on the local university scene. The Library Commons over students a place to study, rest and mingle. The 8^th floor is also home for the Fashion Design students. One of the most talked about Courses in SDA that is unlike any other. The Fashion industry have been progressing along with the SDA’s top Fashion Icons. I even know quite a few who aren’t FD students. Indeed, Art is a huge part of an SDA students life no matter what course you are enrolled in.

Multi Media Arts has been gaining attention in the field of Arts. SDA has one of the best in the country from what I’ve seen so far. Not only MMA Students, but every student in SDA embody the creative and innovative perspective of the school. Animation & Gaming Design has territory over the 10^th floor. Equipped with the most Hi-tech Mac computers and Software, The SDA 10^th floor will surely be a computer junky’s heaven. The Cafeteria is housed on the 12^th floor. The “Promise Land” as my Classmates would call it. There you could see a jungle of students with their own worlds. It is a place that turn dining into a creative experience as well.

So you see, Manila isn’t that bad of a jungle anyway. In the heart of it lies this Crystal. I believe this is only the start. The SDA Building as well as everything that represents it would create a ripple effect that will revolutionize Manila in a way. Who Knows? Maybe Optimus would come and transform Manila.

IDEAS : Structural + Organic

Architects have their own design processes and styles by which they find forms, meaning, and context. We have our own different perspective on Architecture and it is not always inherent with what everyone believes in. That being said, what we believe in gives our building or structures individuality and Character.

I believe that everything comes from something. Everything is made of something. All the things we see, touch, hear, smell and taste all comprise of a building body that enables it to fulfill its purpose. That explains how I work, how my buildings look, the feeling or experience it conveys and how I work with an Element and treat it as a tool.

Inspiration can come from everything and anything. It can be an idea or an object. Most of the time, my concepts come from nature or in other words, it is organic. At first, I never thought that a Structuralist can blend with Organic concepts, but I discovered it can. Structuralists are concerned with the relationships of elements, processes and how it can work as a whole. As of now, my works and designs look very Structural and complex but at the same time it is also organic. Curvilinear forms are dominant in creating spaces. Though the Structure is very structural, the lines are clean and curved.

Back in High school, I really liked Chemistry and Physics, I guess that somehow influences on how I design and how my designs look. I’m a really a nature lover. I don’t like rigid objects. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who are very traditional, even my house. The furniture, how it is planned, everything is traditional. I kind of want to break away from that traditional background and create something new and unexpected in everything I do. I try to be unique and unhabitual. I have always been a music lover. I play a lot of instruments. I love to dance regardless of what type it is. That explains how I like movement and dynamism. It comes out naturally, and unintentionally. I love how a Structuralist can apply movement in structures. I’m amazed at how much I can do with a single form. How much your body moves with the structure. Your eyes follow the movement of the elements and your feet allow you to interact with the structure.