SMX Convention Center • Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines • 23-26 April 2009
At Face Value
Even if it is against what is ideal,
people always tend to judge a
book by its cover. They perceive
people’s characters, almost by
instinct, by glancing at their physical
looks. And admit it, the same
principle applies in appreciating
or criticizing architecture. Many
architects always base their first
impressions on buildings on its skin.
Although emerging from the
French word that means “frontage”
or “face”, the word “façade” is also
used to refer to the other exterior
elevations of the structure: the sides
and the rear. Since it consists of
anything that can be seen from
the outside, building facades
contribute big time to the identity
and character of a building. And
with a group of buildings, it does so
to the all-embracing urban setting.
Just like book covers, facades
carry the synopsis of a building’s
tale. It tells of the age on when it
was built just like in the Spanish and
American-era houses and buildings
that stand among modern
edifices in many cities
here in the country.
Every intricately-
carved detail narrates the sweat
and passion of the local craftsman
who tediously worked on it. One
can’t help but be in awe every time
he lays his eyes on these buildings
considering the primitive ways that
they have to employ during those
years and still come up with great
profiles and proportions in their
architecture.
Facades of old structures
are mostly treasured. This led to
facadism, a “practice of renovating
old buildings leaving its façade
intact while demolishing and
rebuilding its innards” (Wikepedia).
While it is considered as a trade-off
between conservationists and
property developers, it hampers
with the overall integrity of the
building and its spaces and
goes against the regulations
enshrined in the various
charters of the International
Charter on Monuments and
Sites (ICOMOS). Still, the
practice appears especially in
cities subjected to the rugged
duress of development.
Now, the advancement
in technology presents a
plethora of opportunities
for architecture. There are
more options for materials
and construction
methods that make
almost any audacious
concept whirling in the
architect’s brain box
possible.
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