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Adaptive Reuse examples in the Philippines

Adaptive reuse is only one of the many methods of conservation. Where adaptive
reuse repurposes an old structure, restoration returns it back to its original splendor.
These structures not only speak of history, but they can also be profitable once adapted
into restaurants, hotels, museums, and more. This practice is called adaptive reuse—
keeping the physicality of the building intact while repurposing it for something else.

1919 Grand Café


Perhaps one of the most popular places for
adaptive reuse is Binondo, hailed as the
country’s—and the world’s—oldest Chinatown.
Every now and then, there are new constructions
on the rise in its narrow streets, but at its core,
Binondo is an old town with an old soul.
One such building in the Binondo area is 1919
Grand Café, a restaurant that looks like a set
from The Great Gatsby. Designed in the
Neoclassical Revival Style of its era, the building’s
construction began in 1919 and was opened in
1922 as the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation (HSBC) Building. Similar in fashion
to the British Colonial Era buildings in then-
British India, the building also housed the British
Consulate from 1946 to the 1960s. Eventually,
HSBC abandoned the building and the old
structure was forgotten in history books until it
was reopened in 2018 as 1919 Grand Café. From
the building’s original Corinthian columns and
intricate window grills to the British royal coat of
arms in the restaurant logo, a nod to history is
NEOCLASSICAL REVIVAL STYLE FACADE present in every corner of the café.

INTERIOR OF THE 1919 GRAND CAFE


Henry Hotel

THE FAÇADE OF THE HOTEL

Located inside the 2680 Compound along F.B. Harrison in Pasay City, The Henry Manila
is a 34-room boutique hotel spread across five Liberation-style houses which were lovingly
restored and repurposed for its guests. What used to be a compound of over five houses
in Pasay is currently known as The Henry Hotel Manila. Back in the '40s, however, it was
the home of a Filipino-Chinese business owner and his extended family. Its breathtaking
garden was landscaped by National Artist Ildefonso Santos and its 32 rooms all reflect the
lifestyle and interiors of decades past.
The houses’ simple architecture is spruced up by key design components, beginning with
the Scala grilles, inspired by the Art Deco style of the famous Scala Theater in Avenida
Rizal, designed by National Artist for Architecture Pablo Antonio. The floors are made of
baldoza tiles, which were in vogue during the period. Vibrant colors and varying patterns
in floral, vegetative, and geometric shapes decorate the tiles, further adding to the artistic
touch.
The same compound also houses the Avella Art Gallery and fashion designer Jojie
Lloren’s atelier.

REFERENCES:
• www.esquiremag.ph
• http://fnbreport.ph
Reaction Paper about the article entitled
‘Miagao Church’s naked coralline limestone, a mistake for authenticity’

Being an architecture student, during the time when I take the subject of History of
Architecture 4, I’ve been stunned by the beauty of Miagao Church. It is one of the baroque
churches that you can easily remember because of its unique and meaningful façade, it
exudes a native touch. Miagao church is one of the country’s architectural gems because of
its unique and impressive design. It stands as a living legacy of Filipino culture and our way
of life as one of the cultural heritages in the Philippines. The Miagao “Fortress” church is
one of the famous four great Baroque Spanish-era churches of the Philippines. The Miagao
Church also known as the Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish Church is a Roman Catholic
church located in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines.
The unique yellow ochre color of the church makes it more special; the Miagao
Church’s distinctive yellow-ochre color comes from the inclusion of coral that is ground into
dust and egg whites in the mixture for the adobes, according to my research. Its façade is a
combination of Spanish Baroque and Romanesque Early Medieval architectural styles, with
the addition of Chinese, Muslim, and local Filipino elements in the decoration of its façade,
which are the local motifs, such as the guava, papaya, and coconut trees that the local
laborers incorporated.
As an architecture student, it is very sad to know that the Miagao Church is now
deteriorating, and its condition had not improved. I believe that these kinds of churches
should be taken care of. I hope that the restorers will find a way to restore it properly and to
retain its beauty. Our local and national government should start maintaining our cultural
and historical patrimony before it is too late. The church’s survival is very important
especially to the future generations. It is part of the past and something that is relevant to
the future. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, that removed the cement
plasterwork and cleaned the bas relief carvings on the façade should have replaced the
covering with a compatible plaster to protect it from deterioration and to other calamities.
Our country is tropical, with a hot and humid climate, accelerates the deterioration of the
stone. Although that some folks find those deterioration aesthetically appealing, I believe
that everyone should be informed especially the townsfolk near the area, that those changes
are not safe, and that weakens its load bearing capacity, especially that our country is located
in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and we experience frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and
an average of twenty typhoons yearly.
The Miagao Church stands as a living legacy of the culture and way of life of the
people of Miagao centuries ago, anchored in a strong foundation of Christian faith. It is one
of the tourist destinations that our country can offer, Miagao Church is one of the country’s
architectural gems because of its unique and imposing designs, ornaments and motifs.

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