Flaw and Order: Exploring the Potentials of Wabi-Sabi in Cultivating Concepts of Adaptive Reuse to Revive the Old GSIS Building into a Judicial Hall Facility

BS Architecture

Carl John D. Faustino is a driven architectural designer and a double degree holder, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from National University (NU) Manila and a degree in Architecture Technology from TUP Manila. Carl’s passion centers on designing spaces that achieve harmony with human experience, purpose, and culture. His education at two leading universities has provided him with a strong technical and creative foundation, underpinning a deep commitment to socially responsible architecture.

From leading student initiatives to working alongside professionals in the construction industry, he has built a perspective grounded in collaboration, adaptability, and integrity. His interests lie in reimagining heritage spaces, advancing sustainable design, and using architecture as a medium for civic impact.

As he moves forward in his professional path, he continues to seek opportunities where design can make a meaningful difference—one space, one story at a time.

Thesis Adviser

Sam Rañosa is an architect, educator, and writer whose practice moves across the fields of culture and the arts. He studied Master of Arts in Art Studies from the University of the Philippines – Diliman. Trained in design and development, his professional work spans high-rise projects and masterplanned communities, as well as service to the UP College of Law as Project Manager. His research interests dwell on the intersections of art, society, and critique— ranging from exhibition and film reviews to reflections on media culture. He is currently pursuing a research inquiry on architectural simulations in the Philippines, examining how spaces and images construct lived realities.

He has taught Architecture and Fine Arts at Far Eastern University and at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and continues teaching at the National University, where he explores how design and discourse meet in the classroom and beyond.

Flaw and Order: Exploring the Potentials of Wabi-Sabi in Cultivating Concepts of Adaptive Reuse to Revive the Old GSIS Building into a Judicial Hall Facility

This project, “Flaw and Order,” focuses on the adaptive repurposing of the Old GSIS Building, an architecturally significant structure completed in 1957 by Federico Ilustre in a transitional Modern/Neoclassical style. The transformation of this historic building, which served as the GSIS headquarters until 1994 and is now reserved for the City of Manila Hall of Justice, into a contemporary Judicial Hall Facility will ensure its lasting civic and economic function. This strategy moves beyond traditional, reactive conservation methods, establishing a new model for proactive heritage management within the context of essential urban renewal.

The core design strategy is anchored in the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of Wabi-Sabi (Imperfection, Impermanence, Humility, Asymmetry) and formally grounded in established global standards, including The Burra Charter and The Nara Document on Authenticity. This theoretical framework integrates philosophical principles with rigorous Site Analysis and Historical Documentation, guiding a methodology of thoughtful change over prescriptive restoration. New construction will be implemented via explicit Adaptive Reuse Strategies (categorized as Intervention, Insertion, and Installation) to accommodate essential judicial functions, security, and universal accessibility. This dual approach ensures the preservation of the GSIS Building’s unique identity while reinforcing its crucial cultural and legal function for future generations.