PRELIMINARY THESIS PROPOSAL NAME: Perez, Yrral Jaime C. DESIGN 8 ADVISER: Architect Vener J. Quizon PROJECT TITLE: “Escuela Escolta Institute of Arts: Proposed Capitol Theatre Cumulative Revival Development” RESEARCH FOCUS: Retro-Innovative Approach to a Green Architectural Conservation Development Retro-Innovation is a distinct form of innovation referencing past practices with new circumstances of the present. Retro-innovations roughly fall into three categories: 1. Innovations that authentically mimic a product or experience of the past to transport the user back into a gone era. 2. Innovations that use a nostalgic format to meet a new need. 3. Innovations that use a new format to meet an old need. WHAT IS THE PROJECT ABOUT? It is undeniable that the society is continuously transformed in a dramatically rapid pace through the course of time. Being bound with the tastes of society itself, the architectural environment is no different as it is consistently synchronized with this change. Contemporary buildings, due to the continuous thrive in technology, are unceasingly evolving and innovating, monumentally representing the progress both society and the architecture field itself. This progress, however, is an underlying challenge to the existing built-up environment particularly those considered to be historically and culturally significant. They are faced with the pressure of keeping up with the implied standards of the modern architectural world while preserving its original character and representing its historical timeline. Because most of them have been dormant and physically dilapidated over the years, they are put at risk in being replaced by a modern development; thus, making their cultural significance an afterthought. In that sense, it is evident that there is a superficial gap between the existing and the new architectural developments as they appear to be two conflicting typologies in different aspects. Despite their clashing nature, the two are equally significant in the architectural environment and even in the society itself. With that, the proposed study shall provide a deeper perspective in the matter, inquiring the appropriateness of the existing built-environment with the newer, modern development and vice versa and then shall attempt to find a common ground between the two. The application of the study shall take place in an architectural design involving the two typologies—an existing and a new building—in a single building. In other words, the development shall be cumulative in nature—going beyond a heritage building restoration and extending towards its integration with a new building in order to become a new coherent whole. The project shall be sited in Escolta Street, a strip previously considered to be the central district of the past; that today is perceived to be a potential art and culture hub in Manila. Escolta Street embodies several decades’ worth of history with the iconic buildings
of its time lining its extents. In the study, Escolta shall represent the prominent character of the project’s marco-environment. The proposed architectural development shall be a “Specialized Institute of Arts” which shall provide specialized art courses varying visual arts, dance, music, and etc to the higher education level inclusive of the senior high school and college students. It shall take an existing building which shall be restored—the Capitol Theater by Juan Nakpil—to operate in its original function. From there, it shall be integrated with a new building to be established in the site directly adjacent to it—the Old PNB Building/City College of Manila which at the moment is undergoing demolition. As whole, the end-design rationale is expected to be simultaneously heritage-sensitive, time-appropriate, and architecturally-innovative. The proposed development is expected to strengthen the new image of its immediate environment, the rest of Escolta Street, being an art and cultural hub of the city. Furthermore, it shall provide a solid populace of students which will promote activity and will encourage the development of businesses in the area, creating economic progress and practically breathe a new life to whole of the Escolta Street. (C-1 Development – Schools) LOCATION: The project shall be sited in Escolta Street particularly the Capitol Theater and the demolished site of the Old PNB Building. TARGET USERS: PRIMARY: Incoming Senior High School Students taking on the Design Track, Student in the College Level, Enrollees in Art Short Course, School Faculty. SECONDARY: School Administration personnel TERTIARY: Prospect audience in occasional artistic recitals and exhibits. NO. OF USERS: (approximate no.) 1000 OWNER(S) OR CLIENT(S): NCCA, City Government of Manila, Private Entity PROJECT OBJECTIVE(S): 1. To contribute to the efforts of the preservation of architectural works of significant heritage value. 2. To strengthen the artistic and cultural character of Escolta Street in the contemporary setting. 3. To initiate urban revitalization and eradicate urban blight within the area. 4. To promote activity to the strip and spring economic progress. BUDGET/FINANCING SCHEME: The project shall be a public-private venture with the combined effort of the NCCA, City Government of Manila and a private investor. Budget is still to be decided.
