Brutalist Architecture: The Cultural Centre of the Philippines.

Last Wednesday, we tackled about Brutalist architecture.  Brutalist Architecture is a style of architecture which flourished from the 1950s to the mid 1970s.  Brutalist buildings usually are formed with striking repetitive angular geometries, are typically very linear, fortress like and blockish, and usually made of concrete. Since one way to understand what has been explained to us is to see the site personally, our prof asked us to visit the Cultural Centre of the Philippines or CCP because it is one of the popular brutalist architecture in the Philippines. 

The Cultural Center of the Philippines or commonly known as CCP is a structure designed by a well known architect, Leandro V. Locsin. It is also a corporation established to promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1966. The CCP provides artistic programs like performances, festivals, exhibitions, cultural research, outreach, preservation, and publication of materials on Philippine art and culture. It is also an example of Leandro V. Locsin’s signature style known as the floating volume.

So yesterday, June 11, 2012 we visited the CCP. It wasn't my second time to see and experience the CCP but it still give me that awe factor. My first time to see CCP is when we watched Mamma Mia. The CCP is one of the brutalist architecture in the Philippines because it has the characteristics of a brutalist building. From a far you can already notice its roughness without even touching its surface, it also has a blocky appearance, and it is also very linear. The structure is covered with pebble-washed which gives it an impression of roughness. My favorite part of the CCP was the floating volume of the facade because it gives me the feeling of being secured and welcomed at the same time. It is also my favorite part because of it curves which contrast the massive block on top which is the cantilever. It is also my favorite part because it has double purpose, not only for the sake to showcase a beautiful and elegant facade but I think it also serves as a waiting shed. we can stay there when it is raining or when it is hot. The facade is made up of long slabs that is suspended 12 meters high. The huge slab is filled up with tiles and concrete.

Above all, the trip was very educational, I've learn to appreciate buildings in a professional manner, not just appreciate it by looking at its physical characteristics, but also looking and identifying materials used in it. The CCP is a structure that must be preserving and be promoted because it is one of the best structures in the Philippines. i hope that the government will help maintain this magnificent structure of our country.