With the goal of consolidating all its space and functional requirements under the School of Humanities and its Fine Arts Program, Ateneo De Manila University seeks to build a hub for creativity and design comprising three basic structures: an art museum, theaters, and the fine arts & humanities building.
In conceptualizing our proposed design we asked ourselves, "how do you represent the tenets Wisdom and Eloquence in physical form? Add to this the space requirements needed to give the structures its very meaning of existence, then do we come to understand the depth and breadth of the creative challenge it demands.
Architecture, the mother of all arts, must fade to the background and allow her offspring – space and light to grow. She offers herself up like an empty canvas for all art and protects them zealously. This mutualism is what our design aims to successfully mimic.
The site was developed around the idea of complimenting what already existed around it. In this case specifically, we put priority on the Church of Gesu. Its basic form – a triangle is strong, stable and within the line of sight of the future complex. Thus came the idea of creating a triangular void on the new building to echo the physicality of the iconic church. This void is also intended to link the observer visually and spiritually to the church.
Three primary structures comprise the complex : the Glass Cube (Art Museum), Main Theater, Academic Building, and a depressed central plaza serving as an outdoor space for outdoor activities such as impromptu performances, public art, exhibits, etc. ties the entire complex together into one coherent unified space.
A glass cube identifies the main point of entry to the sunken art museum. The structure functions as a skylight for the lower regions of the museum during the day, and as a glowing crystal installation in the evenings. It is surrounded by a landscaped berm which gives it the impression of being underground when viewed from certain points. Additionally, the berm also assists in saving energy by taking advantage of earth's exceptional insulating properties.