United Architects of the Philippines
40th National Convention
9-12 April 2014
58
Seminar Tours
SMX Convention Center
Metro Manila
SEMINAR 20
Inside A.S.Y.A.: A Guided Tour
Consistently, ASYA Design Partner has been awarded by
BCI Asia as one of the Top Ten Architectural Firms in
the Philippines. ASYA Design Partner rises to meet more
challenges, sitting new trends in the estate market by
taking a fresh approach on all aspects of architectural
design. The company`s sophistication in building
technology applications and commitment to design
quality has resulted in a portfolio that features some of
the most notable clientele in the country and abroad.
With projects in Shanghai Taicang, Xiamen, Chengdu,
Songjiang, Suzhou and mostly in the Philippines, ASYA
has completed numerous buildings -- a proof of its
design excellence and service.
After establishing an unrivalled reputation in the field
of design architecture over a number of years, ASYA is
now asserting itself as one of the leading architectural
practices at the forefront of incorporating suitable
design into the build environment. Its portfolio includes
projects of all scales, from the architectural design and
value engineering of individual buildings to the master
planning of communities. The firm has conceived,
designed and built projects that include shopping mall
developments; luxury residences; high-rise residential
buildings; corporate offices; commercial and mixed use
buildings; banking and finance institutions; public and
private institutions; religious buildings; recreational and
sports facilities; casinos; academic buildings; residential
community developments; and site planning.
The guided tour of this large firm is a short trip to its
newly-inaugurated headquarters, just a stone’s throw
away from the SMX Convention Center.
SEMINAR 21
Revisiting the Coconut Palace
The Coconut Palace, also known as Tahanang Pilipino,
was built in 1978 and commissioned by former First
Lady Imelda Marcos in time for Pope John Paul II’s visit
in 1981. The Pope declined the offer because it was
too ostentatious a place to stay while the country is
poverty-stricken. It has been a guesthouse of popular
names including Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi,
Brooke Shields, and George Hamilton. Presently, it is the
official residence of the Vice President of the Republic
of the Philippines, the Hon. Jejomar C. Binay.
The Coconut Palace, designed by Arch. Francisco T.
Mañosa, fuap, likha, is made of several types of Philippine
hardwood, coconut shells, and a specially engineered
coconut lumber apparently known as Imelda Madera.
Each of the suites on the second floor is named after a
specific region of the Philippines and displays some of
the handicrafts these regions produce. The palace is
shaped like an octagon (the shape given to a coconut
before being served); the roof is shaped like a traditional
Filipino salakot or hat. Some of its highlights are the 101
coconut shell chandelier, and the dining table made of
40,000 tiny pieces of inlaid coconut shells.