SPACED OUT Old buildings for new uses

AS part of the French Spring in Manila celebration, the

conference ''Old Buildings for New Uses'' begins today at the

NCCA Auditorium in Intramuros.

The exhibit of the French and Filipino examples of the reuse of

old buildings will run for one week beginning tomorrow at the

San Agustin Cloister in Intramuros.

The conference links French and Filipino architects for the first

time to discuss the regeneration of cities through the recycling

of old buildings in urban centers to service the needs of today's

society by being transformed into housing for the masses,

office space and commercial space.

Gone are the romantic days of preserving old buildings for use

as museums or upscale boutiques. How buildings have been

recycled in Marseilles and Blois in France, as well as Cairo in

Egypt, Quito in Ecuador and Medellin in Colombia will be

exhibited.

Lack of remembrance

Students from the UST College of Architecture will present

conceptual studies for regenerating sections of Quiapo and

Malate. In his introductory design brief for the UST College of

Architecture students, Prof. Manuel Noche wrote:

''Most Filipinos today are not aware of the importance that

history brings. We are so consumed by the realities of today

that the past is not looked at and if possible forgotten and

destroyed. This mentality is not only present in today's society

but unfortunately runs deep in the Filipino psyche.

The lack of remembrance bestowed upon ancestral architecture

is not the only problem faced by the Philippines. The constant

changing of historical street names, the continuing desecration

of historical sites, the modernization and eventual

transformation of hallowed grounds have all been victims in this

so-called look to the future.

''The remaining communities in the Philippines that still contain

historical architecture are few and far between. Most if not all

have already started this dangerous journey to modernity and

thus historical oblivion. Communities such as Vigan, Sta. Lucia,

Candon and Narvacan in Ilocos Sur; Carcar, Argao, Oslob,

Dalaguete, and Barili in Cebu; Jaro and Sta. Barbara in Iloilo;

San Miguel de Mayumo, Barasoain, Malolos and Bulacan in

Bulacan; Taal, Balayan, San Jose and Calaca in Batangas,

Sanchez Mira in Cagayan, Alaminos and Lingayen in

Pangasinan, still retain some of their historical architecture.

''But even with an abundance of historic sites, progress is

slowly creeping in. There is a need to monitor this march of

progress. Progress, of course, can not be controlled, and it

shouldn't be, but the ill effects of progress should as much as

possible be contained so as not to destroy the remaining fabric

of history that a town so cherishly protects. Progress should be

integrated into the community.

''There is a need to return the community back to its people.

Bring a sense of pride the community once had. Not necessarily

to recall an era but to create a new era. The restoration of a

town's historical strip could be achieved by introducing modern

needs and ideas into existing historical structures. Providing an

alternative in the development of a community, a sense of pride,

especially among private building owners, may achieve this

concept of urban regeneration.

Malate's regeneration

''The Remedios Area of Malate is one such area undergoing a

process of urban rediscovery and urban regeneration. A

historical district famous in time as the new haven for stately

homes and grand fiestas, away from crowded Quiapo and San

Miguel, its genteel atmosphere, and the spectacular view of the

famous Manila sunset, Malate has in the recent past, like the

rest of Manila been left by time and neglect.

''But history tells a different tale about Malate. It played a

different role in its contribution to the growing needs of Manila.

From once home to genteel bourgeoisie and prestigious

schools, Malate has transformed itself as the center of

revitalized commerce in Manila. Its nightlife has become famous

that it has refashioned itself as Manila's version of London's

trendy Soho district or New York's Greenwich Village. Its

streets, once home to stately mansions, have been resurrected

into trendy bistros and lively bars, catering to all sectors of

society, the area that is known as the Remedios Circle has

become the mecca and starting point for the alternative crowd.

''If the history and evolution of communities in the Philippines is

best characterized by decay, neglect and total abandon, the

Remedios Circle has proved to be the opposite. With more

people and investment filtering its way into this district, the

architecture of the past has merged as a true ally in the

economic revival and promotion of the area.

''But like anything else, the success of one area should not let

people rest on their immediate glory, we should always be

vigilant. For the greedy investor, the might of the bulldozer is far

more superior than the foundations of an old structure, i.e. the

old chapels of Assumption and Ateneo.

''Integration, rehabilitation, restoration and redevelopment

should be the key words in today's urban vocabulary. With

these as a tool, the community that we live in can indeed be a

more humane community to live in.''

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