'The Poet of Concrete: The Architecture of National Artist Leandro Locsin" Exhibit (University of Sto. Tomas, Manila)

 

"The Poet of Concrete: The Architecture of National Artist Leandro Locsin"

Last April 30, members of media were invited to a guided tour, led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Architecture, of 'The Poet of Concrete: The Architecture of National Artist Leandro Locsin" Exhibit (which opened last April 27) which spotlights his exemplary life and stellar works of the late National Artist for Architecture (1990), an alumnus of the UST College of Architecture. The exhibit, at the UST Beato Angelico Gallery, will run until May 22.

 

Beato Angelico Gallery

Curated by Arch. Gerry Torres, Arch. Caryn Paredes-Santillan and Arch. Noel Cruz, “The Poet of Concrete” Exhibit, in collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Center for Campus Art, displays blueprints, photographs, and memorabilia that celebrates the life of the renowned Thomasian Architect. It aims to deepen appreciation for local design by highlighting Locsin’s mastery of scale and space and invites the viewers to muse upon his language, particularly his use of concrete.

 

Media tour of the exhibit

The title “Poet of Concrete” reflects Locsin’s ability to turn rough, heavy concrete into light, floating (conjuring the illusion of weightlessness), and artistic structures, which redefined the country’s skyline with its stark but simplistic silhouettes. His buildings often utilized extensive chipping and bush-hammering techniques to manipulate concrete.   Locsin melded vernacular traditions with the modern architecture, defining the contemporary Filipino architecture.

 

Scaled model of Casa de Nipa and the Locsin and PLDT Buildings

In her speech, Ms. Caryn Paredes-Santillan, International Relations coordinator at UST’s College of Architecture, said “That contributions of second-year architecture students (who created scale models inspired by Locsin’s design principles featured in the exhibit) was an attempt to deepen their appreciation of local design.”

 

Church of the Holy Sacrifice

Locsin is known for his Brutalist and floating architecture featuring "floating" volumes, simple forms, and a fusion of Oriental and Occidental styles.  He has produced, throughout his career, 244 buildings, 108 residences, 53 public and private establishments, 48 commercial structures, 40 offices, 21 churches and chapels, 13 hotels and resorts, six housing projects, and an airport terminal.

 

Ayala Museum and Philippine Osaka Pavilion Expo '70

Among his works that sprung from his blueprints (ranging from commercial to residential spaces), are the Brutalist edifices such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (1969), Philippine International Convention Center (1976), Folks Arts Theater (now Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, 1974), Church of the Holy Sacrifice (University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1955), National Arts Center (now Tanghalang Maria Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna, 1976), Makati Stock Exchange Building (1971), and Villa Locsin (1962), to name some.

 

Scaled model of CCP Main Theater

The retrospective exhibit features Brutalist scale models and photos of buildings such as the CCP Main Theater; the eye-catching and rather intriguing Philippine Pavilion design for the 1970 World Expo in Osaka, Japan (Its sweeping roof, which spiked through the skies, made the building an attraction in itself); and the Saint Andrew the Apostle Church in Bel-Air Village, City of Makati, which was based on the martyr’s crucifixion on an X-shaped cross. There’s also a separate section for a coveted collection of medals for all of his past awards, all neatly lined up.

 

Villa Locsin and Zobel Residence

Throughout the decades, he also designed the residences of the who’s who of the country, such as the Zobel de Ayalas, Lacsons, Aranetas, Cojuangcos, Montinolas, Consunjis, Jalandonis, Magsaysays, Neris, Siys, Cosetengs, Yaps, Foreses and Chongbians, to name a few.

Locsin’s last projects included the Church of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The Aquino Center, in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac City, which remained unbuilt, was a reminder he never stopped until his last dying breath (he died in 1994).

 

The Last Locsin

The “Lost Locsins” features the blueprints and images of structures he once designed and built but have since been torn down. These include the HotelIntercontinental Manila, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the former Ayala Museum, and the Philippine Center for International Trades and Exhibition (familiar to those from the travel and tourism and trade industry). In addition, a number are also on the brink of demolition and have been identified to be endangered such as The Folk Arts Theater, the PLDT Building, and the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.