Part One
MANY say that Clark could very well be the imagination of what the modern Philippine City could be.
While I have launched and relaunched many districts, townships and cities, from Vertis, to the “Make it Happen Make it Makati” campaign, to Hamilo Coast to Nuvali, among others, I am usually very cautious of the claims made by developers.
But when it’s coming from one fellow nationalist architect, I truly respect and admire, Arch. Royal Pineda, then am all ears. Few come close to the level of fervor Royal has for both his country and his craft.
He’s been so enthused when I recently saw him, talking about how the new National Government Administrative Center in Clark is probably going to be a microcosm of the new and dynamic, progressive Philippines.
Modern Filipino Architecture+Design will revitalize the New Clark City, highlighting the global Filipino culture and lifestyle that we will proudly showcase to the world, instilling national pride.
Authentic Filipino identity and a sense of place
Architecture+Design is a response to our own culture and living experiences, and an interpretation of celebrated traditions in a modern way. He is keep to ensure the team will respect nature and the site as we integrate parks, gardens, and natural features of the site and amplify local textures and character unique to the setting. Pampanga and Tarlac’s soul, festive Christmas parols, mountain ranges and capiz shells provide inspiration.
Lahar: Green, permeable city fiber
This city’s new architectural fiber will be the play and presence of the ubiquitous Mount Pinatubo lahar, which is An ode to the Filipino people’s resilience and positive outlook amid calamities. The lahar now distinctively presents its new value to the community.
Royal will create spaces that take advantage of our tropicality and let our city breathe; offering vital connectivity as we link open spaces and structures to allow people to move freely and heighten their sense of belonging to the community. Structures will be lifted up as we compose the city, minimizing disruption to natural elements, and giving the land and parks back to the people.
Intelligent, adaptive and resilient
When it comes to energy use, the team will innovate and design an energy-efficient, low-carbon footprint city, supported by the latest in building technologies and methodologies to withstand natural calamities and ensure safe, convenient and sustainable living for everyone.
Modern Filipino sensibility
The Filipino welcoming culture of permeability and openness, our tropical way of life (how we embrace nature with lanai living, bringing outdoors in, and passive cooling), our world-renowned ingenuity and artisanship, our propensity for practicality and innovation in materials and methods, and the character and spirit of the Filipinos’ optimism in celebrating life.
This inherent sensibility brings about a distinctive lifestyle enhancement in any space, around the world.
“Opening up spaces, we took out the compartmentalized feeling. We opened up the maaliwalas feel—the feeling of lightness, the feeling of flow, the feeling of permeability, the feeling of being very positive. That’s a very Filipino culture, a very Filipino trait,” said Pineda.
What is modern Filipino Architecture+Design?
Modern Filipino Architecture+Design is a response to our own culture and lifestyle today.
It is a celebration of our past, our roots and our evolution—progressing to a modern, sustainable way of living. Natural materials and vernacular elements provide design inspirations. More than that, it is bringing out the Filipino soul, being sensitive to nature, respecting the local identity and environment and injecting innovation that are key to delight and surprise. Finding this balance creates a distinct, truthful authenticity.
The essence of truthfulness
The core of Modern Filipino Architecture+Design is authenticity and honesty of the approach. The Bahay Kubo (nipa hut) is the epitome of Philippine sustainable architecture. It is not all about the structure’s silhouette and the materials used but it is really about the reasons Juan de la Cruz constructed the house. It was built by a Filipino trying to shelter his family and protect them from predators and the elements. They needed a dwelling unit. It is this honesty in approach that defines Philippine architecture.
The Bahay Kubo was the architectural interpretation of the Filipino lifestyle before. It is an energy-efficient tropical shelter, built from the surrounding abundant natural and renewable materials, such as bamboo and nipa. Its simple structural integrity is modular and light for ready, convenient construction and transport (bayanihan) when necessary. Its thatched roofs and overhangs are effective heat insulators and weather protectors, and its permeable skin and generous door and window openings provide passive cooling, efficient cross ventilation and natural light. The need for security and social spaces called for the creation of the silong; safe, private zone for sleeping was logically located at the upper floor.
These principles will be expressed throughout the city, manifested as modern Filipino Architecture+Design.