AN icon is back to grace the Makati skyline. On August 9 the renovated Insular Life building along Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas was inaugurated and now equipped to meet the demands of doing business in the digital age.
In her opening remarks, Insular Life CEO Nina Aguas said the refurbished building has been designed that is conducive to the digital age.
“When you consider it, architecture is reflective of our inner imaginings. We move through spaces that express our ideals of beauty and function. As we are on the brink of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, aside from aesthetics and function, we addressed the need for technology,” Aguas said
“Information technology [IT], such as the Internet and mobile phones compel us to respond, so we imagined a space, which integrates technology with modern elegance. Aside from the touch-screen monitors and other gadgets in different areas, this building is equipped to capably handle the IT demands 21st century enterprises. Because of our videoconferencing capabilities, we are in a way able to meet and save time without having to swim thru heavy traffic,” Aguas added.
Aguas pointed out that Insular Life building showcases modernized facilities and equipment, an updated look for the facade and a five-level parking building adjacent to it.
Furthermore, Insular Life has also pursued the green agenda as the building boasts of its Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, which means its construction methods and materials, coupled with energy-efficient building equipment make it a sustainable building. It uses less water and energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. “We are also proud that to say that this building is Peza [Philipine Economic Zone Authority] accredited,” she said.
SPCastro Inc. founded by Salvador Castro Jr. was the project manager of the renovation program. He said it was a privilege for the company to be part of a project that has become part of the country’s architectural history.
Dr. Carmelito Tatlonghari was the LEED consultant of the project. Aguas said, “The InLife Learning Center at the mezzanine will be dedicated for training and meetings. It will be used for servicing existing policyholders’ concerns.”
Built in 1962 and originally designed by Arch. Cesar Concio, the Insular Life building started business when Makati City was then a province of Rizal.
Aside from the quality service rendered to its clients, Aguas said Insular Life also became famous for the design and architecture of the building.
“These things found their way echoed in the architecture of Insular Life Makati building: from its distinctive louvered wraparound façade; its generous interiors; the geometric, diamond patterns headlining its design, specifically its ground-floor canopy; and finally, to what would later become the building and even the company’s most distinctive signature—the Abueva bas-relief,” she said.
The center also has cozy meeting places and rooms for training the company’s agency force, as well as holding career opportunity talks and sessions for potential agency recruits. The equipment to be used in the Center will also be Wi-fi and Internet-enabled, to facilitate faster communication and delivery of services.
The 12th floor ballroom, the former Insular Life auditorium and the original home of Repertory Philippines, will be available for lease to the public. It features a 300-seater hall, which may be equally divided into three sound-proofed function rooms for smaller events.
The companies that have already signed lease agreements with Insular Life include Tim Hortons, BPI, UniontBank and Magenic Manila.