CRITIQUING A BUILDING

There are a bunch of buildings around Metro Manila that I would like to further explore but for now, I would like to cut it down to 5.

These 5 buildings - Cultural Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Balagtas, Aliw Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, and the School of Design and Arts Building - have that cultural sensitive aspect as their common trait making it the reason why I picked them.

First on the list is the CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES (CCP).

I have recently talked about CCP as a brutalist structure - http://lorielizz.blogspot.com/2016/09/brutalist-architecture-in-philippines.html - nonetheless, I would still like to share my insights about it.

One of the things I admire about this building is its simplicity. It is able to give an impact to the viewers by just using basic shapes. I am amazed that the architect, Leandro Locsin, was able to turn the front facade of the building into a "floating volume".

This front facade has this "driveway" that convert into a jogging area when its not in use during events. In all honesty, I would really like to try jogging here someday and join in with the crowd.

Deeper into the building, I realized that it plays with its forms. From a far, it would only look like a box-y building with just sharp edges. The truth of the matter is that it actually contains curves rather than just straight lines which, I think, is a good contrast. 

One of the things I would like to keep in mind when designing is to play around. Brutalist architecture generally uses cement as their main element and as you can see in the pictures, they played with cement and added different components and rythm to alter the basic material into something "new". 

One of the things I would like to perhaps change here is their entrance. I remember the first time I entered this building, I as really hoping that there would have been ushers waiting for you to be dropped off at the driveway leading you from the front facade to the theaters. Sadly, I think they only do those when there would be grand events. Instead of entering the front facade, we entered from its side downstairs (which is the one shown on the picture). Honestly, I do not find it quite inviting and mesmerizing to enter from that area. 

I believe one of the important events the building hosts is that it showcases different talents, different artists from various places, most especially the Philippines.

Lastly, another aspect I love about this building is when the fountains are all turned on looking like they are somehow dancing with the wind along with the lights. Trust me, it would really seem like a magical place once you have seen it for yourself and even when the moment you enter the building.

Next on the list is TANGHALAN "FRANCISCO" BALAGTAS (FOLK ART THEATER)

I personally have not been inside the theater but it seems like the place is still well taken care of because of the well being of the plants surrounding the building and the guards around the perimeter. 

The whole building itself is like box-y and exceptionally simple since its a brutalist style. 

I honestly think that the vegetation took a big part in the presentation of the whole building. I believe that it somehow gave more life to the area and made the building softer. It was not just a plain box shaped structure. Another factor, I believe was an accent was the ceiling seen from bellow. The wooden panels gave more color and texture for the place.

One of the things I probably dislike about the arrangement of this is that the entrance is not as welcoming as it can - it was not that inviting for me to actually want to watch a show or performance inside.


Third in line is the ALIW THEATER

The first time I have heard about Aliw Theater was when it was mentioned multiple times on the radio being advertised for shows and events. I was actually curious about how it looks like but not to a point where I would sit down and research about it. So when I first saw it in real life, I was expecting more, I was hoping that I would be in awe.

I saw multiple curves that I thought were not necessary for the structure. Although, I do like how they were able to construct something different than its surroundings. Yes, it was able to standout in a sense but it still would have been nice if the curves would have been arranged differently. 

Another factor I did not really find that appealing was the use of materials. If I am not mistaken, they used marble or probably synthetic marble as a post and metal as the lettering of "Aliw". I honestly do not find that metal and marble work well together or even look well together.

I find that the entirety of the building look like a "chop suey" because of the mix of ideas and forms and the arrangement of the curves. Although, I cannot fully judge something because of its facade. Since there are multiple events in the building I would hear on the radio, maybe the interior is not that bad. I still do admire that there are places that would gladly showcase beautiful works of arts, talents, performances, etc.


The fourth building would be the PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER (PICC)

I have heard multiple stories about PICC - how it looks amazing, how the performances were, the dinners, graduation and many more. What I really love about the building is that its surrounded with greenery and there are fountains and a pond which makes it refreshing to go to even though it is located in a hot/tropical country. I also love how wide and spacious the area is. 

Again, their forms are box-y yet it still somehow, in a sense, looks light. I like its simplicity in shapes and the arrangement of the massing making it look pleasing for the eyes.

I also like how it played around with different textures - textures of concrete, the water, the greenery, the stones, etc.

I would really like to visit the interiors of the place someday and enjoy a show, a performance or maybe even a dinner inside. 

Last but not the least is the SCHOOL OF DESIGN AND ARTS BUILDING (SDA)

I also have recently talked about the building in my previous blog entry - http://lorielizz.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-filipino-about-school-of-design.html.

I've been studying in this school for more than a year now and I have yet so much to know about the building itself and I have yet so much experiences to go through. I like the idea that is stands out from its surrounding and is very unique and filipino. Although, that uniqueness can show off that the building can and may seem a little "chop suey" because of its multiple forms.

 What I like about the SDA building is its openness with the outside and its white walls that makes the students as the center of attention. There is an area where there are open staircases that allows air to easily enter which is good for ventilation in such a hot location.

One of the things I would like to renovate or change about the building would probably be its construction. I have heard several stories about the leaks and damages of the building that is not pleasing to the users to experience and see. According to a few people I know, there were mistakes the construction itself was not well planned causing these damages. 

What is Filipino about the School of Design and Arts Building (SDA)?

When I first think of SDA one of the first things I thought of was that its style looks very modern and somehow international looking. I go there almost everyday for school and I never actually stop for a moment and think how our culture was incorporated to a modern structure like this one.

One of the things we discussed during our theory of design class (THEDES) was about the two Filipino architects who designed this structure, Lor and Ed Calma. The discussion lead on to a point where one of my blockmates mentioned that these architects incorporate Filipino in their buildings. This was the only point where I actually stopped to think how this building have Filipino architecture. I then looked back on my history classes and what my professors thought me throughout my stay in SDA and the first question that popped in my head was...

  "What is Filipino architecture?".

-          For me, Filipino architecture originates way back from its past. It underwent a journey of various styles from different perspectives and different styles – it basically had a story to tell, from vernacular architecture to the present style. It shows multiple contexts from multiple places. I also believe that it is not just its physical aspect but also its context that we see the culture of Filipinos that makes a place/structure to be called a Filipino architecture. 

I believe that they have applied the concept of a bahay kubo and bahay na bato in this building. One of the things that I saw that has similarity to the Bahay na bato is the skin of the walls of the SDA building. Just like the second floor of bahay na bato, it consisted of mostly windows as its wall. One of the reasons behind this concept in bahay na bato was to be able to socialize and interact with the people outside – they can just look out the window and watch people pass by and when they know someone, they get to have small talk with them inside the premises of their home while the other is just passing by in front. Another reason why it is open is because of ventilation. It allows air and sunlight to pass through freely inside the space. Although, one of the things that I would like to change about this is that they could have added a brisolei because glass does allow sunlight to pass through but then that sunlight transforms into heat. Another factor similar to bahay na bato is the hallway or what was then called a “volada”. It connects different rooms and a part of it consists of windows overlooking the outside of the structure.

-          On a more contextual note, the hallways connects each other to achieve the social purpose of the school – we Filipinos, like to interact and socialize with one another. Basically, the hallways do not just have one function. It contains multiple activities and is adaptable to its environment – individuals are able to socialize, they are able to work there (sometimes even sleep), they are able to enjoy the view from outside and it can serve as a waiting area/space.

-          The foundation can also be related and compared to the structure of bahay na bato.  As you can see in the picture, its foundation isn’t found in the external part of the structure but is found inside the structure. Just like the bahay na bato, its main foundation are the stilts and not the concrete walls and just like bahay kubo, the overhanging 5^th floor is able to stay in place because of the foundation of the stilts.

-          In addition, there are indoor plants around the area and there are crosses found inside rooms which shows our main religion and our connection with the environment.

-          Basically, SDA shows features found in bahay kubo and bahay na bato – its adaptability, openness, socialization, frameworks and foundations.

What is lacking with Jean Nouvel that is with the Calmas?

Jean Nouvel is a French architect that has obtained a number of award over the span of his career - Pritzker Prize, Wolf Prize in Arts and more. He said "It is not possible to design always the same. How to be different in each different place - that is the most important work and duty of the architect to find out."

Fondation Cartier, Paris

Lor amd Ed Calma are both Filipino architects and both have a numerous awards and a number of great works in the Philippines. They are also both known for their modern architecture with Lor Calma being more known with his clean lines and glass.

School of Design and Arts Building, Philippines

One of the things that I believe is important in building are its story. There should be a more personal touch and pride in what we architects make. I also agree to the idea that a structure should be able to still be in context with its surrounding place. Jean Nouvel, from what I have seen, is lacking in his designs are his passion from where he came from. He is a French archictect but his works doesnt really show much of the French culture. On the other hand, the Calmas are Filipino architects who then shows the Filipino culture in his works.


Critque on Jean Nouvel

Through time and research about Jean Nouvel, I have seen a few points of his good side and bad side.

On his good side, I'll use his work in "Arab World Institute, Paris, France". I got attracted to this structure because of its play in shadows and its adaptibility by using technology - automatic mechanical louvers which shows light and void. It formed with geometric patterns that dramatically modifies its interior and exterior.

On the other hand, one of the things I do not find that appealing about him is that he may get literal with his structures/buildings. One of which is his design for "Monolith Expo. 02 Exhibition. Switzerland.". Although, I found out that Nouvels intention of the structure was that it is suppose to be able to stand anywhere in the city and is suppose to give an intriguing effect to the people who see it. I think he was somehow able to do that because in my class, we were all critiquing the structure in different ways and asking each other why he made a structure like that. The design was also suppose to oppose density and show a floating block, which was why he placed it being reflected by water.

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