ARCDES2 2012

ARCDES2 2012

Arcdes 2 or Design 2 at the SDA AR tackles the city in general. If Arcdes 1 dealt with designing for the self that allowed the students to formulate their own design processes and beliefs in architecture, Arcdes2 projects focus on site sensitivity and dealing with different urban conditions.  The studio is required to identify problems and propose solutions to provide a better Urbanism for the city. Since our school is Manila based, it is but important that we make our home city our laboratory.

For this year, I picked Malate as a venue for urban study. However, I decided to take a different route because I want to avoid massive infrastructure projects. Instead, I took the story discourse which I think is a perfect continuation of Arcdes1 and more relevant to Malate. The revival of its identity through a building is what our studio proposes for the district’s rebirth.

Malate, contrary to what the general public perceives is multi-layered and it is a place that offers a lot of opportunities for architectural ideas.  I allowed the students to discover these stories and serve as the starting point of their respective projects.  As a first exercise, the students were asked to map Malate  to produce initial site information relevant to their studies. Since the value of Malate is anchored to its layered history: Bohemia, prostitution, homosexuality, Art Deco buildings, Socialites, 19^th century elites, Larry Cruz and nightlife, their proposals were expected to center on the stories that made Malate known for its constant reinvention.

Image above.  1st photo is a beautifully hand-drawn crime map of Malate by Christopher Mccombs, Sheliak Jimenez and Mark Gervoso. Other maps generating information about Malate. Fyi, SDA AR stands for School of Design and Arts Architecture Program of the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde.

THE MODERN FILIPINO HOUSE

My colleague, Edson Cabalfin will have the second of his lecture series at the Silverlens Gallery along Pasong Tamo Extension on September 29, 2007, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Entitled The Modern Filipino House: Philippine Residential Architecture of the 1960’s, Cabalfin will discuss how modernity in homes was translated by Filipinos at that time. In his last lecture, he presented an impressive overview of Philippine Modern Architecture as support to the Photo Exhibit of Iza Lorenzo. Do not miss this rare architecture event.

Seen in the many buildings and homes being constructed all over the Metro show that the Philippines is experiencing a building boom. In the financial districts, you see these condominiums look desolate and unoccupied. But wonder why another one is being built at the next corner. Why? More and more Filipinos abroad are sending in money to invest in a retirement or a vacation home. I remember Daphne Osena’s byword “The dream of owning a Filipino home” in her show Urban Zone. The show features newly built houses and interiors of condominiums done in different “styles” of design. One style emerges as the most popular, Modern Asian. Contemporary Asian is used as the more appropriate term. But what is it exactly? Magazines, books and even television shows depict Contemporary “Asian” Design in Interiors and Architecture as space in warm colors, rich details, with the bonus of making a small nook for a tropical garden or koi pond. The caboodle is sometimes accented with Asian rare items the owner or designer boasts. Seeing these houses make me feel like I am in spa or a hotel, relaxing and calming. It is interesting to link the city’s other “booms” such as spas, facials, fitness and (artificial) teas - SOMEHOW a related lifestyle concept that influenced us to make our house, our very own spa. Why not? However, I rarely see an “Asian” Modern house addresses its being Asian SPATIALLY, except in the little cutesy items that adorn the space. But then again, what is Asian in the first place? It is so diverse, your Chinese Buddha might conflict with your Indian Buddha, side by side with the Quiapo’s Holy Nazarene. I guess it’s all a matter of mixing the right stuff to make it look well made (arranged). And why was it called Modern or Contemporary? Is it because it is housed in a space made of concrete with interiors rich in varnished moldings and halogen lamps? Is this the Modern Filipino House Today?