PHILIPPINE-SS OF SCHOOL OF DESIGN & ARTS

Up until today, "Philippine Architecture" has been a big controversy. Is there such thing as "Philippine Architecture"?

Having said that, it was a difficulty for me to pinpoint the Filipino context of the SDA building. 

So after some deep observations and a lot of thinking the things I have noticed are: 

How the entrance of the building is elevated which can be incorporated of how a bahay-kubo (not to conclude that bahay-kubo is originally filipino) is elevated or on stilts,

Not to miss the windows around the building look like the windows of yet again, the bahay-kubo (though SDA got glass as per being a modern structure),

Philippines is a tropical country so technically, architecture should adapt to the need of proper ventilation and the use of natural light. SDA got a very good grade for that part. (For me it is considered to have the Filipino context in this modern architecture).

Plus the vibes of SDA especially when you go inside and see it with your own eyes and actually feel the atmosphere, you'll know that the attitude and approach of the Filipinos is living in there, of how welcoming and the use of space to interact with the others. 

Seeing the SDA building as a whole with its surroundings, really gives an impression of being unique for it stands out. This building screams modernism. But whats the Philippine-ss of this structure goes beyond what is seen in its design. 

*credits to the owners of the photos above*