No_12_December_1969 — Page 15

Commerce and arts

combined in Lopez Building

WHEN Manila Electric Company ap- proved proposals for building a new headquarters to centralise the adminis- trative control of its vast power net- work, it decided too to make it the monolithic symbol of a successful en- terprise a prestige building extraor dinary.

Thus the architect was given a free hand to design a modern landmark, on a flat site uncluttered by other multi- storey towers, at Pasig, Rizal.

The richly decorated building he produced is a simple vertical slab with blank end walls, but a box-like struc-

MANILA ELECTRIC CO.

JOSE M. ZARAGOZA & ASSOCIATES

JOSE M. ZARAGOZA, FPIA, HFAIA

M.F. JARAMILLO

VALENTINE DE LA FUENTE

ture has been avoided by giving the block a graceful concave curve. On the face of the curve is a series of para- bolic and tapering vertical breakers, which effect a change of shadows according to the view and give the building a continuous movement. The breakers deflect the sound of passing jets and minimise glare from the

owners

architects and engineers architect in charge structural engineer mechanical engineer

setting sun. In addition they act as the perimeter utility pipe chase.

Precast concrete units from 4ft. 6in. to 2ft. 6in. long were used to construct the breakers which shield and contrast with a tinted grey, heat repellent glass at their rear.

In front of the building, the access road parallels the structure's curve.

WI

Lopez Building and Manila Electric compound viewed from north west

Far East BUILDER, December 1969

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