CHAPTER 1.

The Problem and Its Setting

1.1. Introduction

The Department of Tourism is the primary government agency responsible for the regulation of the Philippine
tourism industry and the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination. Created pursuant to Presidential
Decree No. 189 (1973), it is tasked to encourage, promote and develop tourism as a major socio-economic
activity to generate foreign currency and employment and to spread the benefits of tourism to a wider segment
of the population with the support, assistance and cooperation of both the private and public sectors.
Furthermore, the DOT assures the safe, convenient, enjoyable stay and travel of the foreign and local tourists in
the country.

As a public office, the DOT building premises are frequented by the general public transacting official business
on matters pertaining to travel and tours concerns and the accreditation of tourism oriented and related
establishments. Being the government body tasked for the promotion of tourism in the country, the DOT should
maintain its high and respectful image through outstanding services, and accessible, pleasant and satisfying
facilities. An approach that is perfectly suited on achieving this objective is through the establishing of its main
office as a conducive business area for both the client and its personnel, and as an edifice that would represent
Philippines as a beautiful and distinct country.

a. Rationale of the Project

The proposal is an edifice envisioned to be a landmark and will represent a Filipino icon, as rooted from
peoples desire for recognition and distinction from others. Since then, the DOT has been promoting tourism
from almost everything that can be attributed to the country through their slogan More fun in the
Philippines. Being more or better than others is something in which we gain identity and respect. Adhering
to this notion, the proposal aims to give an identity to the body who promotes tourism by means of
architecture.

Being a national government agency in nature and which is proposed to be a national landmark, it is deemed
appropriate that the department should own the building and should be located in a site in the core of the
country, which is accessible to its occupants and users.


b. Background of the Project

Pursuant to Republic Act 8492 or the National Museum Act of 1988, the neoclassical building in T.M. Kalaw
Street, Ermita, Manila (shown in Fig. __) which used to house the offices of the DOT, was to be converted
into the Museum of Natural History. The building was occupied by the DOT since 1979 but is originally
owned by the National Museum. Giving way to the establishing of the third museum of Manilas Museum
precinct, the National Gallery of Art and the Museum of the Filipino People being the first and second
respectively, the DOT had the immediate need to relocate its offices to the JB Building (Fig. __), an existing 6-
storey building in Makati City.

The present location was temporary, since the DOT was only leasing the whole building, and the present
building was unable to hold old all of the DOTs attached agencies, which in result has to rent from a
separate and distant space and location. Moreover, the present location is in a busy city, being a business
district which is frequented by traffic concerns, posing issues to the employees arrival to the workplace.

Another concern is that the present building does not have a significant architectural character that can be
appreciated and will embody the department. In comparison with the old building in neoclassical style,
which is common for government structures, the present building in which the department had transferred
is one of those existing typical mid-rise office building lining up the streets of Makati.


c. Project Goals and Objectives

The goal of this study is to propose a new building for the Department of Tourism, in response to a need for
a conducive permanent workplace for the occupants, and need for a character and distinction of the DOT
building as a new landmark. To achieve this goal, this study intends to achieve the following objectives:
1. To examine the present image, situation and condition of the workplace of the DOT building that
could lead to the discovery of the spatial and physiological needs of the building occupants.
2. To understand the business and organization existing within the building premises.
3. To generate a map that locates and classifies the different tourist attractions and landmarks present
in the area that could identify possible sites for the project.
4. To determine the architectural style and form that will be appropriate for the proposal supporting
Philippine character and identity.

d. Significance and the Expected Output

The study will provide insights and information for the design of an office building specific for the
Department of Tourism. It will suggest establishing the image of the department through the use of
architecture. The Department of Tourism may find the study results and materials important for it may serve
as a guide on designing the government building and creating or developing tourist-service facility on the
Philippines. This study will also be an opportunity to the researcher in gaining further knowledge on the
design of offices, government buildings and development of landmarks.

With the acquired knowledge on what architectural style and form is desirable for the people and
appropriate for the proposed building, the researcher could come up with a proposal that supports tourism
by giving identity to the body that promotes it. Thus, giving prestige to the DOT and making its building a
landmark.


e. Scope and Delimitation

The study is focused on the architectural design process of an office building specified for the Department of
Tourism. Architectural design program as the primary output would include design concepts, site
development plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, perspective and other architectural works significant for
the architectural design. The extent and detail of the study is also limited by the research resources such as
manpower, time, finances and documents available. Since the study and preparation of this thesis is to be
conducted for one school year or two semesters, socio-economic studies and environmental impact analysis
are limited for they require intensive expertise not entirely in the capacity or scope of an architectural design
research. The study on the conduciveness of the present workplace of the DOT is limited to the results of
physical observations and interview from resource persons. Furthermore, excluded in the study are the
presentation of construction system, detailed estimates and specification writing.
CHAPTER 2. Theoretical Framework


2.1. Review of Related Literature

a. Related Literature

1. Landmark

As defined by Lynch (1960) in his The Image of the City, landmark is a type of point reference which
may vary widely in scale. They are frequently used clues of identity and even of structure, and he
characterizes the quality of a landmark by its singularity, some aspect that is unique or memorable in
context. Lynch added that in order to become more easily identifiable or more likely to be chosen as
significant, landmarks should have a clear form, it should contrast with the background, and there
should be some prominence of spatial location. The figure-background contrast which is seen the
principal factor, can be produced by any property, such as uniqueness in form or function (Raubal
and Winter, 2002).


2. Institutional building

In his website (http://martintolley.com/environment/BuiltEnv2EnvPsy6.html), Tolley explained that
institutional buildings typically contain people interacting to accomplish a general or specific
purpose. They are often grand in design and subject to a lot of public scrutiny and input during their
design process. These buildings often have public accessible spaces and private staff spaces.
(http://archsoldesign.com/building_types/institutional.html)

i. National Building Code

ii. Principles of Planning
An office building, as an institutional facility must have flexible and technologically-advanced
working environments that are safe, healthy, comfortable, durable, aesthetically-pleasing,
and accessible. (Conway, 2010). It must be able to accommodate the specific space and
equipment needs of the occupant. As suggested by Conway (2010), the space program might
be supported by these types of spaces:
1. offices, employee/ visitor support spaces (offices and conference rooms)
2. employee/visitor Support Spaces (convenience store, lobby, atria, cafeteria, private
toilets, child care centers, physical fitness area, and interior or surface parking areas)
3. administrative support spaces (administrative offices), and
4. operation and management spaces (general storage, food preparation area or
kitchen, computer/ IT closets and maintenance closets)

b. Related Projects and Studies

As discussed by Derakhshani (2012) in his article Appropriating, Reclaiming and Inventing Identity Through
Architecture, societies, specifically the newly changing ones, need a strong, place-specific buildings that can
represent them globally. It is again identity and the sense of belonging being invented or established by
these buildings. It is also being emphasized that the architecture of institutional buildings can become a role
model in the creation of a new local identity. In terms of looking for the appropriate architectural style for
the contemporary age, it is unnecessary to follow the impression of using neoclassical style in government
buildings. Derakhshani further mentioned that there should be no fear of losing local identity or shifting its
focus. Instead there should be awareness that it is possible to add value to the evolutionary process of ever-
changing identities, which means, perhaps, the results could get no more than better than the usual
practice.

The building form indeed has the greatest impact on the consideration of the building as a landmark. Raffelt
(2012) restated in her book that for a long time ago, architecture owes its form to a buildings functional use
(Nasar, et al). This was reflected from corporate architecture that followed the famous dictum of American
architect Louis Sullivan: form follows function. The design of office buildings were according to office
allocations needs and structure. This notion had made the expression of corporate or brand identity difficult
or limited.

Involved in the study of the project are the use of signs since it is a landmark being proposed. Pierce (1990)
distinguishes the three basic types of sign: icon, index and symbol. An icon bears a resemblance to its object
(e.g. a landmark as the icon of a place). An index is a sign with direct existential connection with its object
(e.g. a smoke as an index of a fire). A symbol is a sign that is made in an arbitrary manner, whose connection
with its object is a matter of convention, agreement or rule (e.g. the DOT logo as the agreed symbol of the
department). In her book Global Marketing and Advertising: Understanding Cultural Paradoxes of Mooij
(1943), she declared that globalization has led to the use of icons. It is fundamental that if something is to be
advertised, icons and symbols are used. In this way, information processing is faster and language barrier is
not a problem. In the case of DOT, since tourist are involved from different places with different language
and culture, they can easily identify Philippines by the moment they perceive an icon visually. The use of an
icon such as a building landmark would contribute to the role of the DOT to advertise Philippines.

As discussed in the ______ symbolism attributed to individual buildings, constitutes one way of interpreting
cultural context and the built environment through form, ornamentation and the choice of materials (Hrvol
Flores, 2004)..

The careful borrowing of elements from rich architectural tradition and their skillful reuse
in re-creating the new local identity is exemplified by the Argentinian architect Cesar Pelli
in his design of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This building which sits in
the heart of commercial district in the city, is intended to be a national landmark that
would affirm Malaysias position on the world map. Taking influence and inspiration from
the local architectural character in Kuala Lumpur, the designer made use of the Malaysian
crafts and decorative elements found all over the city on the design of the office towers.
Such is the geometric shapes of Islamic Architecture, which is reinterpreted to the plan of
the building, as shown in Fig. ___.

Two interlocking squares, forming an eight-pointed star, formed the concept for the floor
plan. This was modified by placing eight semicircles in the angles of the corners to create
more efficient floor space. The final floor plan has 16 protrusions: eight points and eight
lobes. The square core, which contains elevators, mechanical shafts and other services,
connects to support beams that extend out to perimeter columns. Both towers are
topped by a pinnacle, which metaphors the prominent minarets in Islamic buildings. Such
design translation which has reinterpreted the classical Islamic pattern, is what the
researcher envisioned for the study and development of form to be.

The Taipei 101 (Fig. __), designed by C.Y. Lee and Partners, is another structure that mixed ancient values
into the contemporary age. The edifice is constructed to put the small island of Taiwan firmly amongst the
giants of global industry. Being a true landmark must look completely unique, and what the designers had
done is to mix traditional Chinese icon into the building. Bamboo, representing strength and resilience, had
influenced the unique shape of the exterior surface which is sloping out and aesthetically broken resembling
the sections on the stem of the plant. The repeated segment also resembles a pagoda which is a symbol for
serenity. The tower features eight segments with eight floors each, giving consideration to luck and
prosperity associated to the number. Curled figures of ruyi, an ancient talisman, appear throughout the
structure as a design motif. Representing the city and the island, Taipei 101 is the symbol and landmark for
Taiwan. It is the statement of the country, its people and its future. The Petronas Towers and Taipei 101
themselves, intended to be a single identifiable landmark that the world would come to known, is an
inspiration for the project proposal DOT building as the landmark for the Philippines.


2.2 Conceptual Framework/Paradigm




















Fig. __. Paradigm of the Study


2.3 Methodology

Methods of Getting the Data

In carrying out the research study, certain methods will be followed for the purpose of answering the
questions above. This will involve techniques in getting qualitative and quantitative data.
a. Review of related records and research
b. Key Research Person Interview
c. Random Survey
d. Ocular visit/observational tools
e. Site inventory/mapping
f. Conduct a case study

Mechanics of Analysis

The background and literature study will be carried out to gather information and findings from previous
researches regarding Philippine identity and character through architecture. This will give insights,
background and basis for the research.

Interviews from key resource persons will be valuable as a source of basis for the need of the project, and
first-hand information about the subject. Suggested key resource persons shall include officials or
administrators from the DOT, heads from its offices and divisions, technical persons specialized in planning
and design of government offices, and among others.
Related Literature,
Studies & Projects
Governing Laws &
Ordinances
TEZ Guidelines
DOT
Organizational
Structure
Architectural
Principles of
Design
Architectural
Standards
Interview results
Consultations
Site Selection
Space
Programming
Study of Form
(through Icons &
Symbols)
Site Development
Utility Concept
Material
Identification
Project Site

Architectural
Design of the
Proposed DOT
Building
inputs processes outputs

A questionnaire survey will be conducted randomly to draw response on how the building appearance and
character affects its occupants. This will involve DOT personnel about their perception and experience on
the workplace since they are the primary occupants of the building. Also, suggestions and complaints will be
acknowledged to support the need to have the DOT building as a national landmark. Another survey with the
use of mood boards involving random individuals as respondents determine what architectural style and
character is appropriate for the project.

Ocular visits and observation will be done to understand the business and organization existing within the
building premises and evaluating the conduciveness and effectiveness of the workplace. Listing and
tabulating the spaces and transactions will be essential for the later on space programming of the project.

Moreover, an initial survey, listing, and categorizing of different landmarks in Manila will be done to identify
possible locations for the DOT building. A map showing the existing landmarks and attractions drawn with a
certain radius should be generated to narrow down the search and easily pinpoint areas of great interest
and attention.

Analysis and Triangulation