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.