Unlike classical Philippine architecture, contemporary Philippine architecture was not anymore mainly a product of foreign cultures. Instead, the innovations in design are the legacy of Filipinos that take inspiration from their lived experiences and ideas influenced by the environment around them.
This blog dives into some of the influential Filipino architects in Philippine contemporary architecture:
Pablo Antonio’s Works and Impact in Filipino Architecture
As part of the second generation of Philippine architects, Pablo Antonio integrated the Art Deco style into the structures he designed. Simply put, Antonio’s designs prioritized simplicity and practicality, introducing a style that was drastically different to the prevalent Revivalist and Neoclassism styles in the American colonial era.
With a focus on strong shapes, maximal use of cross ventilation and natural light, and sleek lines, every structure required purpose. His designs embody the saying, “function over form,” in which utility is of utmost importance. Clean lines were typical in his designs; if there were curves however, it would only mean that they were crucial to the structure.
Pablo Antonios Works and Impact in Filipino Architecture
Photo from: https://ncca.gov.ph/bday-antonio-p/
“The false sacrifice utility for design. The genuine combine both utility and design effectively,” according to Antonio himself. His designs typically included “sunscreens to achieve functions of natural lighting and ventilation,” indoor ponds and gardens, and slanted panoramic windows. Moreover, he was one of the architects of his generation to maximize the use of steel and concrete in his designs – materials which are widely used in many structures today, most likely including your future home in your recently bought lot for sale as well.
Antonio’s works include the Ramon Roces Publications Building, Galaxy Theater, Fear Eastern University Administration and Science buildings, Boulevard- Alhambra apartments, Lyric Theater, Manila Polo Club, and the Capitan Luis Gonzaga building.
Ildefonso P. Santos’ Works
Santos is called the “Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture” for good reason. Before his time, landscape architecture was essentially negligible when it came to urban planning. Santos, however, pioneered urban landscaping in the country, proving that architecture was not merely about buildings, but about the design of spaces which people use.
Landscape architecture, an allied field of architecture, centers on “designing the outdoor environment,” particularly involving the design of gardens, parks, and the like, and how they come together with buildings and structures. Santos showed his artistry through landscape architecture via the many outdoor settings he has designed, including plazas, parks, gardens, green spaces, etc. If you stepped outside your lot for sale and observe great landscape architecture, you would be witnessing the realized potential that Santos saw back then.
Ildefonso P. Santos Works
His designs would make plentiful use of concrete, which would be balanced by “mixtures of materials, patterns, and materials” that would create a “malamig sa mata” effect, as Santos would put it. In addition, copious amounts of plantings in the vegetation (i.e., flowers, shrubbery, bushes, etc.) landscape or softscape was the trademark of Santos’ design. It was through this that a “visual feast of colors and textures” was achieved.
Furthermore, Santos is known for his advocation of maximizing the use of local materials. According to him, a common mistake of many landscape architects is the tendency to use imported materials in their designs instead of the homegrown varieties. His advocation for such an idea is observed in how we introduced the use of yellowbells, bandera españolas, and periwinkles in his works.