5 Filipino Architects
5 Filipino Architects
5 Filipino Architects
NAKPIL
Juan F. Nakpil, architect, teacher and civic leader, is a pioneer and innovator in Philippine architecture.
In essence, Nakpil’s greatest contribution is his belief that there is such a thing as Philippine Architecture,
espousing architecture reflective of Philippine traditions and culture. It is also largely due to his zealous
representation and efforts that private Filipino architects and engineers, by law, are now able to
participate in the design and execution of government projects. He has integrated strength, function,
and beauty in the buildings that are the country’s heritage today. He designed the 1937 International
Eucharistic Congress altar and rebuilt and enlarged the Quiapo Church in 1930 adding a dome and a
second belfry to the original design.
Quezon Institute
PABLO S. ANTONIO
Antonio’s major works include the following: Far Eastern University Administration and Science buildings;
Manila Polo Club; Ideal Theater;Lyric Theater; Galaxy Theater; Capitan Luis Gonzaga Building; Boulevard-
Alhambra (now Bel-Air) apartments; Ramon Roces Publications Building (now Guzman Institute of
Electronics).
White Cross
LEANDRO V. LOCSIN
Leandro V. Locsin reshaped the urban landscape with a distinctive architecture reflective of Philippine
Art and Culture. He believes that the true Philippine Architecture is “the product of two great streams of
culture, the oriental and the occidental… to produce a new object of profound harmony.” It is this
synthesis that underlies all his works, with his achievements in concrete reflecting his mastery of space
and scale. Every Locsin Building is an original, and identifiable as a Locsin with themes of floating volume,
the duality of light and heavy, buoyant and massive running in his major works. From 1955 to 1994,
Locsin has produced 75 residences and 88 buildings, including 11 churches and chapels, 23 public
buildings, 48 commercial buildings, six major hotels, and an airport terminal building.
Locsin’s largest single work is the Istana Nurul Iman, the palace of the Sultan of Brunei, which has a floor
area of 2.2 million square feet. The CCP Complex itself is a virtual Locsin Complex with all five buildings
designed by him — the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International
Convention Center, Philcite and The Westin Hotel (now Sofitel Philippine Plaza).
1912-1994
José María V. Zaragoza’s place in Philippine architecture history is defined by a significant body of
modern edifices that address spiritual and secular requirements. Zaragoza’s name is synonymous to
modern ecclesiastical architecture. Notwithstanding his affinity to liturgical structures, he greatly
excelled in secular works: 36 office buildings, 4 hotels, 2, hospitals, 5 low-cost and middle-income
housing projects; and more than 270 residences – all demonstrating his typological versatility and his
mastery of modernist architectural vocabulary.
His prolificacy in designing religious edifices was reflected in his body of work that was predominated by
about 45 churches and religious centers, including the Santo Domingo Church, Our Lady of Rosary in Tala,
Don Bosco Church, the Convent of the Pink Sisters, the San Beda Convent, Villa San Miguel, Pius XII
Center, the Union Church, and the controversial restoration of the Quiapo Church, among others.
.FRANCISCO T. MANOSA
With two of his brothers, Jose and Manuel, both B.S. Architecture graduates from the same school, they
founded the architectural firm, Mañosa Brothers in 1954.
In 1976, Francisco established his own firm, Francisco Mañosa & Partners. Here, he had more freedom
to put into realization his vision of Philippine Architecture inspired by the bahay kubo and the bahay na
bato, When asked what makes architecture truly Filipino, he once answered: “Filipino values, Philippine
climate, and the use of indigenous materials.”