ARCDES1 - Manifesto (Updated)

Building houses and structures, sketching and technical drawing, theories and designing are the first things that came into my mind when I first heard about architecture without having much information about it. Architecture is important to give safety and satisfaction to the people who are going to use it. As I learn, I believe that architecture is the art and science of designing.  Some say it is the mother of all arts; it’s true, because it deals with everything about arts; arts in motion or arts in stationary. I also learned that it is a study that combines arts, science and commerce; I think it’s a compilation of all fields and professions studied all in one; from engineering to science to arts. Now, I assume that communication is one of the core aspects in architecture. In order to gain knowledge, we must communicate. We learn from the architect with experiences that contributes ideas in to our minds. For example, from the architect to the reader to another person and it will spread, that is communication. When we design, we also communicate with the people who critique it. I found out furthermore that in designing, there is an appropriate design process to follow in order to do it well. We need to explore first the theories for it to help us enhance our skills in designing and planning. For me, technology is also one core aspect in architecture. As it progresses, the design possibility of an innovative design to be built also advances.

In my life, I have encountered a lot of problems already, and all I can say is “Everything happens for a reason”. I believe that one thing happens because destiny has a motive behind it. In everything that happens in our lives, we never fail to ask “why?” and to that question is an answer that only we can answer. It’s like a mystery that one will find out when one truly puts effort and patience just to achieve the true meaning and reason behind it. This saying made me a stronger person and made me think positively. I never thought that it can be applied in architecture. I was able to explore much from the manifestos of the famous architects that I was able to interpret that saying into architectural perspective. Designing for me before was just getting an idea from a prototype or a finished work and just improving it, putting more details and doing a little bit revision. Now, it is my life philosophy and I understand that there is a reason behind everything I do, say or design. Translating it in to my architectural design philosophy, I realized that whenever I create something, I always look for a reason behind it. For example, there’s a purpose why I communicate with my clients and that is in order for us to understand each other and to be able to agree with our own ideas. The final outcome which my client and I agreed upon is our medium to express what we want to say to the critiques. Another translation I thought of was all of my designs have an appropriate function. Some say that the Eiffel Tower is not architecture because it does not have a function. I respect everybody’s perspective in life, but for me, it does have a function. Although French didn’t like it when it was first built, now they will lose a huge part of the distinction of their country if they take it out. Paris will just be Paris without the Eiffel Tower.  I don’t want to label myself as a functionalist but when I design I always think of “what am I designing for?” I could not start with my work without knowing my design purpose. I agree with the process of form follows function. For me to reach my satisfaction when designing, it wouldn’t be complete without the use of colors, like post modernism. The world is slowly sinking and I also want to help improve the environment. I want to design stunning edifices that can also help save our planet. I can say that as a designer, I can be a post-modernist functionalist environmentalist. I guess I still have to discover my path to be able to find my own distinctiveness.

I must say that I still like “kichi” architecture even if people say that it is not an appropriate way in designing structures. I believe that even “kichi” architecture with the use of attractive colors and eye-catching shapes gives sublime feeling to those who are not educated with architecture, especially the children. I first found out about “kichi” architecture because of the “Robot Building” located in Bangkok, Thailand. Some say it was “kichi”, some say it’s not. The architect, Sumet Jumsai, found his inspiration from his son’s robot toy. I couldn’t believe that it was actually a bank. He said that his client, Bank of Asia, wanted to show the modernization and computerization of banking. I still like this building despite the criticisms it had received. The post-modernism side of it gives me this blissful and sublime feeling when I see one.  I want to modify, revise and add some of my own design. Of course, designing is not all about the appearance of the edifice, but also, the function and the contribution of the structure to the world.

 Architecture is now slowly becoming my passion. As I mature from it every term, I can say that I like architecture now. I find it so nice to create structures and designing it. Everybody is unique in their own ways. From the exploration of my concept, to inception, to studying the science and possibility of my design, to organization of my thoughts and of course being able to develop my work, I will surely achieve my goal. Right now, I am unique but when I become an architect, I want to achieve it through my designs be unique and to be known in the whole world.