Philippine Taliesin Shelter Project, The New “Bayanihan”

3/16/2010

When bright young graduates find employment abroad, I experience some mixed emotions. I am happy that they are confident of themselves and proud that they have proved their mettle in the world job market. At the same time, I am apprehensive that our country is missing out on the rich contribution of this fresh batch to our own development. I can only hope that after they have sown and harvested of their talents abroad, they can find it in themselves to show their care and concern for their own nation. Along this line, I am greatly heartened by the noble and admirable efforts of such a stellar young architect who, after proving herself in the international arena, has collaborated with Philippine institutions to mentor capable young professionals and students back home.

Architect Lira Luis is the first Filipino protégé at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Institute. She is a licensed architect in the Philippines, USA, and UK and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. Hoping to cultivate and encourage new professionals, she has spearheaded the alliance of the Directors of the Taliesin Fellows and Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, the University of the Philippines College of Architecture, and the University of San Carlos College of Architecture. This distinguished coalition is undertaking the Philippine Taliesin Shelter project set in the booming area of Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, beginning the second quarter 2010.

The project would be an application of the learning-by-doing methodology of Frank Lloyd Wright by a handpicked team of Filipino students, under the mentorship of graduate students and directors of the Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Fellowship. The team will be tasked to build a shelter that will demonstrate organic principles as applied in the Philippine setting. This collaboration will pave the way for a new “bayanihan” of the 21st century. The end result will be the country’s first entry in the LEED roster of green structures in the residential category.

Architect Lira Luis’ studio will mentor the participating architecture students in the LEED application component of the project along with the US Green Building Council. She says, “With the participation of an architecture icon’s foundation such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin and the architecture students from the country’s premier universities, this project could potentially help put the Philippines on the architecture global map.”

The benefits of this venture are manifold. It is significant exposure for young designers; it is a great push for green architecture and a positive vote for the Philippines.