Polytechnic University of the Philippines

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND FINE ARTS

Sta. Mesa, Manila

Last Thursday, 27th of June, BS Architecture 1-2 along with other first and fourth year
architecture students attended a lecture entitled Community Architecture, Launch of Design 7
Major Plate at the Bulwagang Balagtas. The event was opened by Ar. Jocelyn Lutap who thereby
announced Ar. Royal Pineda, the speaker of the lecture, as the PUP-CAFA’s new faculty member.
Ar. Pineda started with an overview of Architecture and its power. “I am here for freedom,” he
stated. He emphasized the power to create and discover what we, as future architects, think is
right and I agree with it. With the sudden change of our environment as freshmen, we tend to feel
constricted by existing rules in architecture and that we must abide at all times. However, the
essence of exploring oneself, discovering our true identity, and influencing it in our design was
what we were being reminded. We have to have it not overlooked.
He then discussed Community Planning. He said it is planning for the improvement of people’s
quality life. To make communities more livable. Despite of this inherent responsibility, the
problem is that most architects are just copying what’s popular. I noticed that the architectural
designs of buildings are losing their unique ‘personalities’ because of this. It no longer reflects a
metaphorical reasoning of the artist. Thus compromising identity just to fit in.. To oppose this
growing problem, one attitude to develop according to Ar. Pineda is to know liability. “Start to
think a million times before you design.” I admit, we really have to be in charge of our project – to
feel the burden of responsibility as architects.
Ar. Pineda’s principle is to have everybody enjoy life. Inclusivity. He cited examples of places
to show us what he meant. Amalienborg Palace (1700’s), Royal Danish Playhouse (2008), and The
Black Diamond are some. In order to meet inclusivity, he mentioned characteristics that we must
acquire over time which are being thoughtful, responsive, artistic, people-oriented, sophisticated
in simplicity, and trustworthy.
Thoughfulness. Being thoughtful allows us to think about people’s needs as interacting human
beings and how are we going to apply it on our designs. Being responsive. If we thought of their
needs and aimed to solved it, our architecture is responsive because a responsive design is a design
that works. Being artistic lets us add aesthetic to it and at the same time, if we are people-oriented,
we learn to respect. We stop glorifying our own. There should also be sophistication in simplicity.
Our architecture should be something that is playful but works, classy and not expensive. Lastly,
we should be trustworthy as future architects. If the city is well-designed, then the people will
trust the city. The people trust you.
Before he ended his lecture, he introduced us his 420,000 hectares project – the New Clark City
in Capas, Tarlac – to inspire us further.