6 Filipino Architectural Marvels You'll Be Proud Of
From a Supreme Court and airport to a museum and a lifestyle center, these buildings are proudly Pinoy
With many new Metro Manila skyscrapers being designed by international architects with the credit for the Filipino designer merely being: “Architect On Record,” it is truly refreshing to hear news about buildings created by homegrown designers. Here are six important public buildings that are currently being planned or built:
The New Supreme Court Complex
We’ve always associated government buildings with classical-revival or hybrid designs. Renowned architectural firm Mañosa & Co. won out over 68 local and international and local entries for the design competition of the New Supreme Court Complex.
The building will employ passive cooling and natural light, a rainwater collection and irrigation system, and solar farming features (Mañosa is known for having an eco-friendly and sustainable design ethos).
READ: This Is What The Mañosa-Designed New Supreme Court Looks Like
Museum of Natural History
Architect Dominic Galicia and his wife, interior designer Tina Periquet, designed the new museum to retrofit the former Agriculture Building, which was built way back in the 1930s-1941 by architect Antonio Toledo. The neoclassical-revival façade was preserved.
One of the highlights of the new museum’s interiors is the “Tree of Life,” a double-helix DNA-inspired structure towering over the interior courtyard.
READ: Look-The Museum Of Natural History Is Opening This Year
New Clark International Airport Terminal 2
Award winning design duo Budji Layug and architect Royal Pineda will be designing the 100,000-square meter airport, slated to open by 2020. Its multi-ridged roofline is inspired by famous Luzon mountain terrain such as Mount Arayat, Mount Pinatubo, and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
READ: New Clark Airport’s Design Is Inspired by Mountains Of Luzon
Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Opening much sooner than the new Clark airport is Terminal 2 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. According to this article, Layug and Pineda were again tapped to design the 65,000sqm, barrel-vaulted structure, with the addition of world-renowned Cebu-based designer Kenneth Cobonpue.
Areté
WV Cosoculluela architects designed Ateneo’s new creative hub and art complex. The streamlined, modern complex has an Arts Wing and a Learning and Innovation Wing connected by a Bridgeway. The entire complex has permanent exhibits of works from donors to the gallery since the 1960s, combined with changing exhibits such as a retrospective of Elmer Borlongan’s work, which will run until May 13, 2018.
READ: Here’s What You Can See Inside Areté, Ateneo’s New Art Hub
Ronac Art Center
The Ronac building—with its randomly pierced façade, interplay of masses, and sculptural spiral staircase—is a striking sight along the mundane San Juan stretch of Ortigas Avenue.
Jagnus Design Studio, comprised of architects Sonny Sunga and Arnold Austria, was hired in 2008 to design the Uratex Building (as it was called back then) to showcase the brand’s high-end mattresses, but the project turned into something grander than that. The building’s design eventually won NCCA’s Haligi Ng Dangal People’s Choice Award in 2017.
READ: Take An Exciting Day Tour of San Juan By Visiting These Spots
