Bridging Cultural Heritage with Future-Proof Design
Published October 25 2024
Government centers are the cornerstone of each municipality–its overall efficiency and cultural identity rests on its walls. Blending a city’s cultural heritage with modern architectural techniques is not an easy task, but a group of BS Architecture students from Cebu Institute of Technology – University boldly took on this challenge.
This trio is composed of John Dinfel B. Pasaol, Dave Andrey B. Mosqueda and Alexandria L. Jakosalem. They wanted to create an inclusive yet historically relevant government center for Lapu-Lapu City.
Blending Art and Architecture
To do so, they integrated Mactan’s pintados in their design while aligning it towards United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) three pillars of sustainability.
“The pintados, or the tribal tattoos, were a prominent aspect of the pre-colonial culture in Mactan,” the group’s representative, John said. “This further solidifies the city’s sense of identity, while paying homage to one of the city’s tangible cultures.”
The pintados symbolisms served as the main cladding of their buildings, creating a harmonious reflection of the city’s past and its future. However, when it came to future-proof design, the trio had to cater to the different government offices’ needs.
“Research is a very big part of proper architecture, especially large-scale designs. So it’s not just all about the typical site analysis, it’s going beyond that,” John explained.
Inclusivity and Functionality
In terms of accessibility, there were missing ramps in several government offices, which they added for the Persons With Disabilities (PWD). They also optimized office spaces by utilizing citizen’s charters, aligning their offices to their current workflow.
The Engineering Office and City Health Office also got additional storage spaces for their archives. These initiatives solve the mounting problem of overcrowding and the need for additional storage space.
“It would be, honestly, one of the best government centers in the country. Our design is really unique and future-proof. So if implemented, this design would last for a minimum of 30 years,” John explained, highlighting their design’s architectural impact.
Teamwork That Transcends Challenges
Designing multiple buildings while staying cohesive was a daunting task for the trio, but they pulled it off as a team. Alex’s extroversion became her strength during their data gathering process, while John was in charge of visualizations, from the renders to their visual walkthroughs. Dave handled the technical drawings and essentially became the glue of the group.
Their teamwork played a big role in winning the Best Thesis award in their batch. “It was a really big surprise to be chosen as top one,” John shared. “It’s a physical reminder that with hard work and maybe a little bit of luck, things will be worth it.”
For Dave, this research was made possible through their unique mindset. “It’s not about you, the researcher, but it’s all about your research. Your mindset should be that your thesis can stand alone regardless of who the researcher is.”
The trio has embarked on distinct paths in their architecture journey. Alex is gaining hands-on experience as an apprentice at a Mandaue-based firm, while Dave is in Dubai, having earned an international apprenticeship awarded by the university. Meanwhile, John is refreshing his CAD skills and applying to architectural firms.
Despite their different directions, one thing is clear—this team is destined to achieve even greater heights in their careers.
CEBU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Cebu, Philippines
CEBU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY – UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Cebu, Philippines
MOSQUEDA, DAVE ANDREY B.
BS Architecture
Dave Mosqueda is a Cum Laude graduate of Cebu Institute of Technology–University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Hailing from Cebu City, Dave has developed a strong passion for designing spaces that are environmentally and socially responsible.
Throughout his studies, he consistently excelled in design thinking, technical execution, and collaborative work. His dedication culminated in a thesis project that comprehensively addressed the multifaceted needs of a civic community, earning significant recognition and multiple accolades.
These experiences have deepened his understanding of how architecture can enrich people’s lives. As he begins his professional career, Dave remains committed to refining his skills and contributing meaningfully to the field.
PASAOL, JOHN DINFEL B.
BS Architecture
John Dinfel Pasaol is a recent graduate of BS Architecture at the Cebu Institute of Technology University. Despite the challenges faced in the five-year curriculum, he earned spots in the Dean’s List and graduated Cum Laude.
With a solid educational foundation, his efforts culminated in an undergraduate thesis that effectively showed a solution for civic and public spaces while respecting the key pillars of sustainability and the
community’s local culture.
Currently working as an apprentice in a dynamic architecture firm, he aims to contribute to projects that enhance people’s lives and positively impact environmental sustainability.
JAKOSALEM, ALEXANDRIA L.
BS Architecture
Alexandria Jakosalem is a fresh graduate from Cebu Institute of Technology-University. Her journey wasn’t as easy as people can see. 5 years of being sleep deprived and caffeine dependent was excruciating, and yet she survived.
During her studies, she learned to balance aesthetic considerations with functionality, sustainability and structural integrity. On her last year in the university, in her undergraduate thesis, she and her thesis group successfully presented a solution for civic and public spaces, carefully integrating the principles of sustainability and the local cultural heritage.
Her commitment led to a thesis project that thoroughly addressed the diverse needs of a civic community, garnering substantial recognition and numerous awards. Currently, she’s already an apprentice in a design and build firm, where she strives for developing her expertise and making a significant contribution to the field.
AR. DANIEL A. CANTOR, UAP
Thesis Adviser
Daniel A. Cantor is a distinguished architect and educator with a career spanning over four decades. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1982 and passed the Architect Licensure Examination in 1983. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Management Engineering from MCC.
Ar. Cantor is also a former President of the Philippine Institute of Architects, Cebu Section and a member of the United Architects of the Philippines Cebu Fort San Pedro Chapter.
Since 1983, Cantor has been actively practicing as an architect, focusing primarily on residential buildings and interior design. Alongside his practice, he has been a dedicated educator at CIT-U since 1991, where he teaches Architectural Graphics, Design Subjects, Building Materials, and Engineering Drawing CAD. He also serves as a thesis adviser, guiding the next generation of architects.
PROJECT BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Government centers are invaluable assets to cities and its people with a drive to adhere to a common purpose: serving the community. One of the ways to attain this purpose is to ensure conducive work environments and accessibility for the people. This proposed design of a new government center for Lapu-Lapu City seeks to upgrade the facilities and offices to conform to applicable standards. The design focuses on three main aspects: accessible design, workspace optimization,and the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, and economic) to align with the values and identity of the community it serves. It should be the point or the ‘punto’ of the city that conveys a sense of solidity and reliability.
