Architectural Ossification: The Heritage Regeneration of the Manila Central Post Office

BS Architecture

Diana Rona S. Aragon is an architectural researcher fueled by a profound passion for historic buildings, particularly their classical detailing, ornamentation, and molding profiles. Her thesis, Architectural Ossification: The Heritage Regeneration of the Manila Central Post Office, explores a novel concept for regenerative conservation by applying a biological framework to architectural restoration. She is committed to a career blending history and design, aspiring to pursue graduate studies in Urban Planning and History while specializing in heritage conservation.

Thesis Adviser

Victor Conrad B. Alinio is an accomplished architect and educator with over fifteen years of leadership in architectural design, urban planning, and history. He is the founder and chief design executive of The Victor & Conrad Architectural Studio, and currently serves as Vice President for Built Environment of the International HALE Building Council. His work has earned national and international recognition, including a top ranking in the Philippine Architect Licensure Exams and an Outstanding Research Award from the IMRF of India.

Thesis Adviser

Ar. Rojayne Q. Sibayan is a licensed architect with nearly six years of professional experience in design, urban planning, and project management. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of the Cordilleras, where she mentors aspiring architects while also practicing as a consultant and freelance architect. Her work reflects a strong commitment to innovative, functional design and research in architecture and urban spaces.

Architectural Ossification: The Heritage Regeneration of the Manila Central Post Office

The thesis proposes a sustainable adaptive reuse strategy for the Manila Central Post Office (MCPO), a deteriorating National Cultural Treasure, to safeguard its architectural integrity and address its underutilization. This proposal transforms the structure into a vibrant Art and Cultural Hub—including a postal history museum—to reactivate it as a vital, multi-functional public space. The concept of “Architectural Ossification” guides the design, symbolizing the strategic layering of new building systems onto the original concrete to enhance resilience and ensure historical continuity.

The project’s feasibility is supported by architectural analysis and employee surveys, which indicated strong support for cultural and community-centered functions over traditional postal services. The comprehensive design program successfully preserves 92.87% of the original building fabric while repurposing all five floors and basements for parking, retail, museum, and creative studio spaces. Ultimately, this work offers a viable, human-centered model for heritage regeneration grounded in cultural relevance and stakeholder alignment.