35th UAP National Convention
The Power of Architecture
DREAM • C REAT E • T RANS FO RM
Today, building façade
design are more than just eye
candy. Contemporary building
facades have adapted less of
the embellishments that defined
colonial architecture, evident
in old churches and insitutional
buildings and more on functionality.
Strategic positioning of sun shades
and fenestrations have not only
brought up interesting patterns on
the elevations but also allowed
regulated amounts of natural
lighting and ventilation inside the
building. Railings and bars do
not only equate to horizontality
in vertical construction but also
serve other purposes like utility and
maintenance. Cladding materials
are more than just enhancing the
motley atmosphere in the exteriors
but could serve as insulation or for
easy cleaning.
First impressions are not
always lasting. And architectural
facades share the sentiments
of book covers that beg not to
be judged prematurely. Each of
these facades, may it be from
the pre-Spanish years or from the
current era of avant-garde design
principles, have a story to tell. The
story could be enthralling enough
for the people to discover more
of the building, its spaces and its
history, enabling them to eventually
appreciate (or constructively
criticize) its architecture as a whole.
All these depend on one’s readiness
to listen, feel and embrace its tales.
Karl Aries
Emerson
F. Cabilao
The author is the incumbent Chapter
President of UAP Sugbu Chapter and
Corresponding Editor for the UAP
Post. He is a practicing architect,
an urban design graduate school
student,and a regular contributing
w riter for SunStar Cebu newspaper.
He writes architecture-related articles
in its lifestyle pages. His works has
also been published in some design
magazines.
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