THESE are very few ultramodern architectural pieces in Manila. More often than not, the final outcome of such structures is half-baked because of multiple factors, such as budget constraints, the client’s alteration of architect’s original vision, and poor construction quality. A lot of architects can draw up the most beautiful schemes, but most lack the willpower to defend and not compromise their original designs. They give in to what the client wants even if it degrades the purity of their design out of fear of losing the commission.

This shouldn’t be the case, though. As architects, it is part of our job not only to defend the totality of our designs, but to open the eyes of our clients that there are more and better options than what they simply know. One of my mantras is “Don’t do what the client wants; do something better.” This goes by the principle that we should know more about design than our clients, because designing is our life. This means that whenever the client wants a certain feature that would only compromise the original design intent, it is our responsibility to stand our ground. If you happen to stumble upon a client who shares your vision, then you have arrived at every architect’s dream.

I have been on a constant watch for buildings here in Manila that make fine examples of the perfect marriage between client and architect, but I’m always disappointed at the end of the day because, again, there always seems to be a compromised part in the final design. When I went on a business trip to Cebu recently, I was surprised to find that of all the places that I’ve looked, I’d find an uncompromised piece of architecture there.

The place is called the Diamond Center, a two-story, multiple-building commercial complex divided by a wide courtyard in between that also serves as a parking space for its clients. The initial feeling that I got was that of movement and agility, brought about by the careful orchestration of the structures’ lines. Its architecture is obviously inspired by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-born architect who in 2003 became the first woman to have won the Pritzker prize for architecture. She is known for her use of fluidity in her architecture, making it seem as if here structures were frozen in motion.

The surfaces of the Diamond Center indeed seem to flow into one another as most of its surfaces utilize curves to connect to one another, blurring the distinction between one wall from another. These fluid surfaces act as architectural frames at the façade of the structures, and serve as a visual organizing element to the otherwise cluttered and incoherent commercial spaces that are up for lease.

 It is hard to identify the lines that are parallel to one another, creating a sense of uniqueness and excitement. Even the pattern of the aluminum cladding that wraps the façade is not the typical running bond or stack pattern that is commonly used, but instead has an array of misaligned gridlines. The GI pipe columns also seem to be arranged in a random but carefully calculated manner, as seen in the careful alignment of window mullions to them.

In totality, the building achieves an aesthetic that is very unique. It is unconventional, maybe even weird to look at, especially at first glance, but all the design elements are tied together very carefully. There seems to be a certain order in its chaos, as apparent from its skewed lines and misaligned angles. There probably was a clear understanding between client and architect, and they had in each other a certain trust that, if not present, would have resulted in architectural chaos. 

***You may e-mail the author at design@buensalidoarchitects.com and visit his web site at www.buensalidoarchitects.com.

Urban Monologues: A gem in the midst of urban compromises

THESE are very few ultramodern architectural pieces in Manila. More often than not, the final outcome of such structures is half-baked because of multiple factors, such as budget constraints, the client’s alteration of architect’s original vision, and poor construction quality.

Aaron Eckhart: Not just another pretty face in ‘The Dark Knight’

THE trailers for The Dark Knight have shown quite a bit of Heath Ledger’s scabbier, surlier reinvention of the Joker (think of Malcolm McDowell’s thug from A Clockwork Orange but with kelp-colored hair, scars and a hyena laugh), but the producers have been keeping the film’s other Batman bad guy, Two-Face, under wraps. “That’s right, people don’t really know yet,” actor Aaron Eckhart said with grin.

Reeling: As painful and as gracious as memory

THERE is a very daring film showing right now. It is called Ploning. It is daring in the true sense even if it does not even have any sex scene in it or any images that would require the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board to sit en banc and have us shaking from the decision it will render.

Aga Muhlach opens up about Judy Ann, his kids and life as an actor

AWARD-WINNING actor Aga Muhlach is still a much sought-after leading man. In fact, young actress Anne Curtis unabashedly admitted that it was her dream for the longest time to be paired with the better half of Charlene Gonzalez.

Marvel turns ‘Iron Man’ into gold with $100-M-plus debut

Iron Man was pure gold at the box office.

The Marvel Comics adaptation, starring Robert Downey Jr. as the guy in the metal suit, hauled in $100.7 million during its opening weekend and $104.2 million since debuting Thursday night, the second-best premiere ever for a nonsequel, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Saving water and having a barrel of fun

WASHINGTON—“Well, it starts with rain,” says Mara Moran, 12, a Girl Scout with Troop 1706 in Cheverly, Maryland. “My teacher says that the water we drink is the same water the cavemen drank.”  “Yeah, people think you can make water, but you can’t,” says Deirdre Harder, 9, as she helps Mara push a big plastic barrel.