USC College of Architecture, Inspiring in the Right Direction

8/28/2009

Cebu is one place I never get tired visiting.  It seems to be a locus for people with fine taste. This trait is probably inherent to Cebuanos, just as a sense of style is to the Greeks.  Another moniker Cebu holds is being the “Milan” of Asia, as it is fast becoming a centre for the arts. For one, it is host to an international film academy, the only one of its kind in Asia. It is also a globally-acknowledged source for fine furniture and handicrafts. Whenever I am upset about the messy issues in politics, the peace and order situation, and the ups and downs of the economy, I can just go visit a local furniture exhibit, frequently featuring Cebuano creations, and my spirits are raised. The quality and creativity exhibited always make me proud to be a Filipino. Some big names in the furniture industry come from Cebu; there are the likes of industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue and furniture designer, Alan Murillo, among others.  In the architectural scene, Cebu also stands tall, as evidenced in my latest discovery, a well designed campus that houses a school of architecture. 

The University of San Carlos-College of Architecture is not a new contender in the field. USC-CA has had its share of board top notchers and successful graduates. This time, however, I got the opportunity to see where these graduates were moulded and trained.

The campus is nestled on a hill with a commanding view of the city. Its structure is characterized by simplicity, set amid a generous expanse.  The facility, which has a floor area close to one hectare, exemplifies the true meaning of form following function. There is nothing fancy about it; the design is very straightforward. The campus serves as an excellent example for its architecture and fine arts students. This new generation of future designers needs a lot of room for exercising their creativity.  Fortunately, the campus provides space for that. If you require creativity, you must provide sufficient space to think, to experiment, and to grow.  It is not easy for the mind to take flight when cramped up in a classroom.

The structure was designed by the college dean, Architect Maxwell Espina, in collaboration with the other members of the faculty. The materials employed are easy to maintain. In addition to using inexpensive finishes, these likewise need to be durable. School finishes must be student-proof, not just in the aspect of wear-and-tear from the actions of youthful exuberance, but more so in the aspect of safety and accident prevention. The faculty lounges are comfortable and the teachers’ offices are conducive to preparing lesson plans and other paperwork. It also provides a good vantage point to the major student areas. In this building, resources were used wisely, applying the Minimalist style. Maintenance then is made simpler and less costly.

I appreciate designs wherein what you see is self-explanatory, with every feature following a simple logic. I hate designs which have too many ornaments and design features that you cannot rationalize.

The building is surrounded by greenery which can also be glimpsed from indoors. We were there on a scorching early afternoon but the campus remained very cool and comfortable. Most parts of the building are naturally lit. Laboratories and drafting rooms have minimal partitions, maximizing cross ventilation. The building is also handicap friendly. By building along a slope, the architects were able to maximize the potentials of natural lighting and ventilation, the beautiful view, and generous available space. Clearly, the structure was designed by architects for aspiring architects, a definite way to inspire them in the right direction.

It used to be that people in the provinces sent their children to Manila to study. Now it could well be the other way around, with Manilenos looking to Cebu for their children to learn about the arts and architecture.