ARTRACT: The Philippine School of Architecture and Arts

National University - Manila

Project idea

Where architecture meets art—the beauty of contrast collides

The proposed Philippine school of architecture and arts focuses on multisensory architecture and experiential design to stimulate users’ senses and enhance their creative process.

Using a research-based approach, this project revolves around the needs of the student-artists in the Philippines. The study focuses on the spaces that student-artists in the Philippines require and how these spaces can enhance and develop their creative process.

Based on previous research, the outdated 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines design guidelines has been highlighted as a point of concern in relation to university design in the Philippines.

Project description

The proposed project, The Philippine School of Architecture and Arts in New Clark City, Province of Tarlac, Philippines, presents a pioneering design and research-based approach to develop and enhance the creative spaces for architecture and arts programs.

It will be a specialized and enhanced creatives spaces for architecture and arts programs with efficient lecture rooms, studios, laboratories, and collaborative spaces suitable for artistic and imaginative minds of student-artists, which cannot be observed in a normal and traditional school and or university environment here in the Philippines.

Technical information

Design and Planning Concept

1. THE ART OF THOUGHT: FIVE STAGES OF CREATIVE PROCESS, Graham Wallas

The design concept draws inspiration from the creative process. The phrase "creative process" represents the sequence of thoughts and actions that result in the formation of an idea. The five processes include preparation, incubation, illumination, evaluation, and the final product. Every artist must undergo this essential phase to produce their masterpieces. Art represents the limitless field of knowledge and exploration, with the creative process adhering to an ongoing cycle.

Every physical component, including buildings and spaces inside the site will contribute to the creative process of the students. The site layout seeks to establish a comprehensive and immersive experience for students, allowing their learning environment to significantly influence their creative process and development as emerging artists. It also reflects the notion that the art creation process is non-linear, allowing one to transition from the preparation stage to the verification stage. As a result, the users, especially the students, are exposed to a variety of engaging, and ongoing immersive learning experience within their learning environment.

2. CREATIVE HARMONY THROUGH MULTI-SENSORY ARCHITECTURE

Art enhances the diversity and harmony of human endeavors. Young architects and artists utilize their creativity and imagination to conduct a wide array of experiments. They derive inspiration from their local surroundings, particularly nature, to produce many artistic creations. Consequently, harmony must be emphasized in the proposed project: Philippine School of Architecture and Fine Arts, where the context and contrast of architecture and art co-exist to establish an ideal learning environment in which young Filipino architects and artists can forge their path toward growth and artistic endeavors.

Multi-sensory architecture fosters human connection with the built environment by engaging all five human senses. (Dodd, 2020). This design approach promotes diversity and harmony in the built environment by engaging the user's various human senses to experience and immerse themselves in the spaces. Architecture must engage its people by stimulating numerous senses to enhance the user experience.