100 YEARS OF THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES
By: Arch. Renato A. Heray, FUAP (as published in The Manila Times last January 12, 2021))
- ARCHITECTURE in the Philippines has come a long way since it the profession was recognized 100 years ago.
- More than a century ago, one will not find a school for architecture in the land. The closest one can get is to undertake
studies to be a Maestro de Obra — then considered as builders. If one wants to earn the title, seeking studies abroad is
the best possible way.
-Despite not having architecture schools at that time, Maestro de Obras and surveyors established the first organization of
architecture as interest in this field grew. More and more Filipinos were able to study abroad and return to the country to
practice their profession.
- In 1921, the Engineers and Architects Law was passed, stating the separation of board of examination for engineers and
architects. The same law also mandated Maestro de Obras to be automatically registered as architects, with Tomas
Mapua as the first licensed Filipino architect.
- Three separate associations of architects were
established from the early 1930s to the late 50s.
- These are the League of Philippine Architects
(LPA), the Association of the Philippine
Government Architects (AGPA), and the
Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA).
- However, it took over a few more decades before
the profession saw a clearer path towards
professional unity.
- After careful and meticulous process of incorporation, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) was finally
established in 1975 and was recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as the duly accredited
professional organization of architects in the country.
- With a pool of more than 50, 000 members and a strong network of 181 chapters
from various regions across the globe, the UAP is a prime mover in making the
architecture profession known not only in the country, but also in the international
arena.
- It is an award-winning professional organization which has clinched the PRC’s Most
Outstanding Accredited-Professional Organization Award or the APO Award for
several consecutive years since 2002 — a testament that it is serving its
purpose of protecting the profession.
We have renowned architects we all look up to for their distinct designs — National Artist Leandro V. Locsin, who is the
talent behind The Cultural Center of the Philippines; Juan Felipe Nakpil, who designed the Manila Jockey Club, Magsaysay
Building, and Rufino Building among others; and Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa who designed the San Miguel Corp.
Headquarters inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces. These architects are the representation of what the Filipino talent
truly has — love for country, creativity, vibrancy, and innovation.
With its Member-First Policy, a flagship campaign of the current administration, the UAP is anchored in the mission of
serving its members by providing tangible benefits that would up their skills and talents in the field, even amidst an ongoing
global crisis.
- The UAP works not only within their internal organization. It also puts emphasis on external affairs — promoting their
profession with its “Get An Architect” advocacy campaign, an award-winning drive of making the professional known to
the public, specifically to the masses. It also comes with a stream of active corporate social responsibility projects in
various regions, with the aid of its chapters, by providing pro bono professional consultations, volunteer works, and
donations to both public and private sectors for housing problems, environmental conservation and promotion of socio-
economic development.
- Despite facing hurdles to protect the interest of the professionals, the profession in general, and the laws that govern it in
the past years, the UAP believes that architecture is here, not only to stay but to continue soaring. It will not cease from
flying high to reach lofty pursuits.
- The UAP aims to maintain the architecture profession in the country in the next hundreds of years, through its thousands
of Filipino architects ready to take on the challenge of making a better, livable spaces for everyone.
IMPORTANT ISSUES AND CONCERNS IN THE PROFESSION OF ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
by: Arch. Benjamin Panganiban Jr. October 16, 2020
(The author is the immediate past national president of the United Architects of the Philippines and the first national president from Mindanao. He
has been in the private practice for more than 35 years and is a Fellow of the UAP. He is also the first ASEAN and APEC architect coming from
Davao City. He is a graduate of BS Architecture from the University of Mindanao, a Doctor Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects Singapore, and
a recipient of the European Business Assembly.)
- The lifestyles of people and even the physical structures in a society have changed the landscape of cities that we begin
to ask ourselves: ‘Do we firmly believe architects should be at the forefront of innovations? Are architects important to
make these places livable? What is the role of architects today? What are the challenges facing global architecture? How
do we reshape architecture as our global response to the pandemic? How do we build a better urban future?
a. DIGITAL
- Our designs of resilient cities are now mostly toward embracing virtual commerce. Cities worldwide, through their local
and national governments, have now interconnected government transactions and accelerated data gatherings to
effectively interface transactions and eradicate graft and corruption.
- Some physically affected structures of architectural work are office spaces and hospital buildings. Also affected through
digital technology are businesses engaged in online shopping, now a popular mode of commerce. Here, the shift of
design and construction of homes, offices or business establishments by architects remains high for this type of market.
- Information technology is now very much an upgraded part of the architect’s design process.
b. HEALTH CARE
- There has been an unprecedented massive review and investment worldwide in public health systems. The focus of the
various national governments is to go to communities and suburban centers and have their local governments work out
preventive measures and provide permanent isolation centers.
- Architects worldwide have stepped up their innovative designs for health-care provisions of isolation and treatment
centers, making sure the design process minimizes the spread of the virus.
- The suburban areas, communities, districts, and barangays are now the first line of defense as local authorities execute
programs to eradicate the virus block by block, working out each barangay or district. They now implement localized
lockdowns.
c. MOBILITY
- Each city is now weighing the balance between public health and the economy. As governments grapple with the
downturn of businesses, they are now in a quandary on whether or not to allow work to resume despite the pandemic to
keep their countries alive. The challenges here are for architects and urban planners to design workplaces, transport
systems and pedestrian walkways to minimize the spread of the virus.
- Functional spaces and circulatory flows of people’s movement should be re-visited and re-evaluated to incorporate
innovative design approaches. Open spaces in urban dwellings are now a necessity.
- Even airport protocols are now virtual. We have now virtual flight reservations, screens are now touchless, and we see
robotic machines going around airport terminals spraying disinfectants. We also have facial recognition and biometrics for
passengers doing self check-ins. COVID-19 has altered the design of airports with lesser personnel involved.
d. COMMERCE
- There are changes to business models from traditional to non-traditional. Business trading and workflows have either
shut down, been affected tremendously, or have drastically shifted to another form of business.
- Conversion is the key here to the designers’ approach to lessen the losses and still make the business profitable.
Adaptive re-use and collaborative works become the norm for architects as businesses figure out how to stay afloat.
Architects must embody the latest building technology and creative solutions to sustain the future of
businesses.
- Concerns of businesses and architects are the supply chain, which has been disrupted globally. Factories have closed
while society’s need for food and personal protective equipment have been in demand but with less supply. This is due to
the businesses not fully embracing digital technology updates.
e. EDUCATION
- Education affects the global practice of architecture in terms of the regulatory regimes and physical aspects. We see
today’s education being driven by telecom and that telecom should be available. Data internet now becomes a basic utility
investment by local governments and more cities, schools and households. They will have to invest in this because
there are millions of students out there that need to be educated.
- The way to go for the tertiary level is for college students to do their research and even their practicum away from the
laboratory walls in schools but through their mentors in the professional and business fields. In short, distance learning is
an approach to education today. The secondary and primary levels will have to either work from home or the institutions
of learning should upgrade themselves to physically reformat their places of educating pupils.
- This is where the architects can think of innovating these buildings, renovating the classrooms and creating places where
the students can also have remote meetings with their teachers separately. Regulatory agencies are now changing the
mode of educating students via the internet worldwide and the education ministries are considering alternative learning
techniques and approaches applicable to all levels of primary and secondary schools.
THE ARCHITECT AND THE LAW
- It is well known that architects throughout the profession engage in a wide range of services including preparing
drawings, designs, plans and models of buildings to enable development approvals to be obtained for and construction to
occur. Due to the scope and extent of architecture, many factors affect the architectural business and professional work.
One of these factors, which has an enormous impact on this profession, is the legal rules and regulations related to
architectural practices.
- Architects are obliged to deal with different professional affairs and client issues from the beginning of their careers.
Hence, architects must be aware of the rules and procedures and use them to promote their professionalism.
- In the event of a professional dispute, the architect should be aware of his / her own and others' legal responsibilities. The
architect should be aware of the basic legal information and current law related to the architectural field and know that
ignorance of the law does not relieve legal responsibilities.
INSIGHT
- an Architect should have strong moral
principle to stand and defend his morals and
beliefs, to execute what is RIGHT.
- an Architect should not be arrogant, but
must be faithful to his words and principles.
- an Architect must be just, not only in doing
his job, but also know his rights and other
peoples’ rights. He / She abides the law of
Man and the law of God.
- He should not be boastful of who he is,
instead, he must easy to deal with, like how a
friend comforts his friend.
- an Architect should not be blinded by the material and
wealth gain, and fame, instead, humble himself and do
what is right and just, to be able to preserve his name
from any anomalies, and always stand tall with dignity.
THE VALUE OF THE ARCHITECT
– from ARCHITECT’S NATIONAL CODE OF STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
The Architect creates man’s environment through his awareness and sensitive handling of spaces that fit the
scale of human experience. The resulting quality of the form-envelope manifested as a structure or building gives
rise to man’s appreciation of beauty and order in his physical world.
The Architects’ deliberation determine how people will be placed in relationship one to another, how whole
societies will work, play, eat, sleep, recreate, travel, worship, or in short how people will live in consonance with
their culture and national aspirations.
His objective is to bring order to man’s environment to cause it to function properly within a structure that is safe
and healthful and to impart to the whole a beauty and distinction that is appropriate to our time.
INSIGHTS to the Value of the Architect:
- An Architect has the knowledge and applies the Core Values on the Vitruvian idea that all buildings should have three
attributes: “firmitas, utilitas, and venustas” ("strength", "utility", and "beauty").
- He uses his imagination to express himself through Art and also in problem solving.
- An Architect should be resourceful, formulates unique solutions out of the available resources without disturbing and
destroying the environment.
- An Architect must have strong leadership that is capable to guide his subordinates throughout the projects.
- An Architect has the integrity to formulate unique and original design solutions without copying other designs nor existing
Designs of other professionals.
- An Architect thinks critically, doesn’t plan in just a snap, every detail must be criticized carefully.
- An Architect enlightens people and educate them the importance of professionalism, helps in creating good quality and
sustainable environment.
CORE VALUES OF A TRUE ARCHITECT
Wisdom: Understanding the meaning and application of core values in the Vitruvian axiom “commodity, firmness, delight”
Creativity: Continuous use of imagination both in problem solving, and artistic expression; with drawing, painting,
sculpture…and practical study of the sister arts, adding to the richness of their solutions.
Resourcefulness: Modeling design and building technologies after natures own laws of order, and striving for unique
solutions that wed together the highest ideals of beauty and practical utility
Leadership: Providing artful guidance and oversight throughout project, like a conductor leading an orchestra
Integrity: Ability to uphold authentic building traditions and architectural principles without copying superficial styles;
expressing truth in material and structure
Prudence: Critical judgment, deep insights and a level of discretion that comes from a comprehensive understanding of
the whole
Enlightenment: Strong desire to educate the public on the meaning and value of the architects work in creating high
quality, sustainable environments; and to nurture their apprentices so they might carry the torch of architecture into the
future.
THE SPECTRUM OF THE ARCHITECT’S SERVICES
The spectrum of the Architect’s services extends over the entire range of activities that proceed from the time the idea is
conceived, perfected, transformed into sets of space/ design requirements, translated into structure through design, built,
used and become a permanent feature of the man-made environment.
The Architect’s services consist of the necessary conferences, deliberations, discussions, evaluations, investigations,
consultations, advice on matters affecting the scientific, aesthetic and orderly coordination of all the processes of
safeguarding life, health, and property which enter into the production of different levels and sophistication of man-made
structures and environment.
The Architect, in the process of translating abstract ideas into meaningful concrete terms, produces documents in the form
of a data base report, an architectural program, a feasibility study, a market study, an appraisal report, an impact analysis
report, a space-organizational setup report, a site planning analysis and evaluation report, an operational programming
report, building programming and scheduling report.
A complete and detailed documentation of construction or erection drawings is prepared consisting of the architectural
plans, the structural plans, the electrical plans, the plumbing/sanitary plans, the mechanical/air-conditioning plans, the civil
work plans, the technical specifications and the other bid documents.
Aside from these, the Architect can prepare the post construction management documents, the operating manual, the
maintenance manual and other forms of written and graphical documentations necessary for the effective and efficient
functioning of the man-made structures and environment.
An appreciation of this scope of services of the Architect will bring into focus the crucial role that the Architect assumes in
the realization of abstract ideas into tangible and meaningful terms.
Between abstract ideas and the physical world, stands the Architect.
The entire range of the Architect’s services are divided into SEVEN (7) major services as follows:
1) Pre-Design Services -------------------------------UAP DOC 201: Architectural Programming/Feasibility Study/Site Study
Cost Effectiveness Study/Others
2) Design Services -------------------------------------UAP DOC 202: Architect’s Regular Services
3) Specialized Allied Services -----------------------UAP DOC 203: Planning/Interior/Landscaping/ Acoustics, Communications
and Electronic Engineering
4) Construction Services -----------------------------UAP DOC 204: Full-Time Supervision/ Construction Management
5) Post Construction Services ----------------------UAP DOC 205: Buildings and Grounds Administration
6) Comprehensive Architectural Services -------UAP DOC 206: Project Management Service
7) Design-Build Services ---------------------------- UAP DOC 207: Design-Build Services
Each of these SEVEN (7) major services can be contracted separately to the Architect depending upon the desire and
needs of the Client
