Xavier is the real Name.

Ang Tahana’ng Filipino (The Coconut Palace), Manila by FMañosa

The Architect

Architect Francisco Mañosa

Filipino architect Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa’s has been known for creating cultural architectural designs. With the use of native , Filipino materials like bamboo and nipa, Francisco Mañosa creates contemporary designs. He has been known to use the elements of Filipino culture, tradition, and idealism to his every work of art. He can use all matters and bind it that will form an art.
As the founder of Francisco Mañosa & Partners, Mañosa has provided a touch of the Philippine culture to every architectural design he made. Though he is challenged with a multitude of international clients, Mañosa’s firm, which has provided to the industry for the past two decades, has met those expectations with flying colors. Their effort to translate their design needs and objectives as best as they can has given them an elite position as an architecture firm, Francisco Mañosa and partners design was change when they got  international client,we known that Francisco Mañosa and the partners design filipino and their design are totally filipino stylem both nationally and internationally.
Francisco Mañosa  is also good in restoring strcuture and He has been famous for designing churches such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and the Mary Immaculate Parish Church in Las Piñas City; for restoring the historical Las Piñas Church, for designing the modern and practical stations of the Metrorail Transit System; for developing the Quezon Memorial Circle; and for developing, restoring, and landscaping the beautiful Corregidor Island. Truly, he is both a native and modern architectural visionary.
Mañosa has also been known for designing the Coconut Palace, also known as Tahanang Pilipino, which, according to Mañosa, showcases the numerous uses and versatility of the coconut. Built in 1978, the Coconut palace is made of several types of Philippine wooden materials, such as coconut shells, and a specially engineered coconut lumber. The palace is shaped like an octagon, while the roof is fashioned like a traditional Filipino hat. With coconuts as the general inspiration

Architect Francisco Mañosa, showcase, for the first time, tropical and contemporary Filipino architecture. Francisco Mañosa known as Bobby Mañosa. he has been described as the most out sopken champion of an indigenous Filipino Architecture. His style is express in our tradition, vernacular form, he is also a techno wood architect. because he make use of it, technology to familiar native material that can be found in the philippines. such as bamboo, nipa, rattan, and coconut.. where Francsisco Mañosa use the coconut tree as a basic form and concept of the Coconut Palace or the Tahanang Pilipno.

The architect Francisco Mañosa says: “I design Filipino”, His forms are reveal deep roots and reflect to the past. and his target is designing flipino style for the country.

Francisco Mañosa and Partners

Architect Francisco Mañosa decide to make his own Architectural Firm Office, Francisco Mañosa and Partner is striving to meet the diverse design needs of the different clients. their target is to make the country proud of having Philippine Architecture and be a inspiration to others.

The Coconut Palace

The Coconut Palace, also known as Tahanang Pilipino or Filipino Home, The Coconut Palace is located in Manila, Philippines, idea of the former first lady Imelda Marcos. The Frist Lady Imelda Marcos want to build a palace for the country and for the Pope John Paul the Second , Pope John Paul the Second will visiting our country during 1981 and Imelda’s Husband President Marcos. It is the time of the Marcoses, The Marcos are man power and political power. Marcos change the country ( Philippines). He establish the Martial Law where the time of the breakdown of the Philippines.

The First Lady Imelda Marcos has the hand to beautify our country, when the Pope John Paul II visit in 1981, However, the Pope declined the offer of the First Lady Imelda Marcos. “saying that is was too ostentatious a pace to stay while the poverty-stricken Philippines” The First Lady Imelda Marcos was disappointed what the Pope say, The First Lady and the President don’t think about the Problem of our country.

The Coconut Palace, is Built in 1978, it is made of several types of Philippine Materials, hardwood, Coconut shells, and a specially engineered coconut lumber apparently known as Imelda Madera, I think this is a kind of cut of Coconut.

The Coconut Palace or The Tahanang Philipino is The Guest house of the Marcos, and when the end of the Marcos, the Coconut Palace is turn over to the Philippines. The government  take care of it. and it is open to the public for special proposes.

The Architect of the Coconut Palace or the Tahanang Pilipino is Architect Francisco Mañosa, Architect Francisco Mañosa clamed that the Tahanang Pilipino is a showpiece on the versatility of the coconut and its viavility as an export, and it was planned long before the Pope will visit the country.

Every Piece in this Palace has its own meaning and tradition. The Palace is shaped like an octagon to represent the coconut serving. while the roof is shaped like a traditional hat of the Philippines. mainly the farmer use it. the Filipino salakot or hat. their is some of its highlights are the 101 coconut shell chandelier. and the dining table made of 40, 000 ( forty thousand) tiny pieces of inlaid coconut shells, and more.

why it is called the Coconut Palace, as a citizen of the Philippines, coconut is widely known in our country. coconut give us food, money, and everything,  That’s why Coconut Palace is made of Coconut. and Coconut is known as Tree of life. from the coconut’s roots to its trunk, bark, fruit, flower and shell. the Palace is design , form and ornamentation echo these elements.

The coconut Palace manila is named because the architectural structure is made of 70 percent treated coconut lumber. Most of the materials in the Palace are native materials.

The Coconut Palace is located along Roxas Boulevard in manila and next to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Cultural Center of the Philippines is one of the project and plan of The First Lady Imelda Marcos.

The Coconut Palace is an interesting work of Architecture, a wonderful work and piece of art that sublimed the feeling of the Pilipino People. Even the country is under the Martial law. They manage to built a Palace that showcase the tradition and culture of our country.  and it is also a unique art of the coconut as the ultimate Tree of life and it is also symbolize the hard working of the people in the Philippines.

Today The Coconut Palace or the Tahanang Pilipino is already open to the public, tour, wedding, reception and others. Many famous people want to be the Coconut palace to be their Reception when two Pilipino got married  because the Palace is to romantic and peaceful. it is natural and the feeling of being Pilipino is in their.

For me, as a student of architecture. this Architectural structure is one of the example of home made architectural piece. the structure you can see and any angle you can see the structure itself symbolize that is Philippines and it is also symbolize the creativeness of the Pilipino people. every piece of materials in the Coconut Palace gives you a big important.

Architect Francisco Mañosa is one of the founder of the architecture in Philippines. He is one of the architect who start to call the attention of the Philippines people to be part of the organization to rebuild and make the country presentable and beautiful. Arch. Francisco Mañosa is the Favorite Architect of The First Lady Imelda Marcos when the Time and rule of the Marcos.

I think when Arch. Francisco Mañosa started to think and study the upcoming project which is the Coconut Palace or The Tahanang Pilipino. I think Arch. Francisco Mañosa use the Country as his inspiration and concept of his design. that reflect to the Pilipino people.

i believe that their is a Philippine architecture in our country. some architect they don’t believe that their is a Philippine architecture. you can see, that the Coconut Palace or known as the Tahanang Pilipino is already a piece and one structure that can prove to us that their is a Philippine architecture. and the next example or fruit of the Philippine Architecture is the new generation of the new architects in the Philippines.

Pyramid of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana, Kazakhtan

The Architect

Norman Foster, Known as Lord Foster. Foster design the Pyramid of Peace and Reconciliation, Foster + Partner is the lead design of the Pyramid of Peace and Reconciliation. They make use of time to design in this project. The Foster + Partners studies the concept of their design.  The Co- architects: Tabanlioglu Architecture and Consulting ( Istanbul ).

Foster + Partner success working with a team of long term, in particular Spencer de Grey and David Nelson, the main project that built the majority of office and industrial architecture, and the ‘art’ architects who designed museums, universities, and theatres. Norman Foster handle the two degree. When Foster started his practice, a firm office would have employed 25 people. As Foster grew to more than 100 employees and the nature of practice change. It meant that the firm office took on a much wider range of projects, and also that very young architects and new could build under the Foster name much earlier in their careers than they could have done on their own. the firm office also a part of the training ground for the new architects.
As the firm office continued to grow, some question are starting to be raised was that while the large number of expansion had improved  a powerful key for raising the general standard of architecture, it made it more difficult for Norman Foster to collect more works of such as the Sainsbury Centre, or Willis Faber.
But while there is a number of Foster projects that have been no more than competent in recent years, Foster continues to confound his critics with such achievements as the sublime Pont Millau bridge in France, and the well regarded Hearst tower in Manhattan – a building that so impressed the New Yorker’s architecture critic Paul Goldberger that he described Foster as the Mozart of Modernism. this is the works of Foster where no one compete.

Current and recent work includes the largest single building on the planet, “Beijing Airport, the redevelopment of Dresden Railway Station, Millau Viaduct in France, the Swiss Re tower and the Great Court at the British Museum in London, an entire University Campus for Petronas in Malaysia, the Hearst Headquarters tower in New York, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington and research centres at Stanford University, California.” we can see that Foster is a famous architect and He is known everywhere. single building can change your entire life. Foster + Partner’s works is not a big joke. when you saw this builds you know and you can tell to your self my life is modern.
Norman Foster design deals with the nature, climate, tradition, and the client. Foster is also one of my favorite architect, his works are perfectly structure. the structure itself bind the feeling to the surrounding. even some of his works are anti- contextual. he can show us what is the meaning of this architectural structure. No one of his works has negative comment. Norman Foster  and the Partners are huge number of architectural Firm office that can handle the international at the same time.

One of the blog one I read, His architects, draftsman, etc. know  and when they enter the architectural firm office. they have the chance to become a architect. the firm office goal for their workers is, this architectural firm office is the new training ground and to show what can be show to the world.
The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is also translated as there Pyramid of peace and Accord. It is seventy seven meter (77 m) high building in Astana. The capital of Kazakhtan. This modern architectural infrastructure represents the egyptian culture and tradition as it is. At ancient times pyramids were made of huge stone, sand and gigantic blocks or bricks, were one hundred (100)of people are lifting a single block or brick. The pyramid of peace and reconcilation or also known the Pyramid of peace and accord, however, is made of modern materials more stable materials such as glass, steel, and granite. All modern architectural structures are made of modern materials, some are all glass and some are all steels. This seventy seven meters (77m) high building is no doubt a wonderful representation of Astana thr capital of Kazakhstans ingenuity and creativity. It is even considered a “wonder” for most critics and but not only wonder, it is also a master piece of one architect that can change the world to be modern.
The pyramid of peace and reconciliation, it’s Pyramid portion of the building is sixty two meters (62m) high which sits on a fifteen meters high (15m) high earth covered blocks. The construction of the Pyramid of Peace and Reconciliation All of this construction is ground level base. Though the landscaping of the pyramid of peace and reconciliation or the park rises up to cover the lower level of the structure, these are not in fact basement of the structure.

This architectural structure houses and opera house which basically makes it a very suitable infrastructure housing and binding the arts. It also has museums that depict Astana the capital of kazakhstans and it also depict to their culture.

The apex or the pointed part of the pyramid is made of stain glass incorporating doves which is, for me, very amusing and practical since it adds a certain natural touch. It also brings feelings and meanings to the people. It was design by architect Sir Norman Foster and inaugurated in September 2006.

The design is of five storey of triangles that form the pyramid, each triangle being twelve meters (12 m) on a side. the lower level or portions is three storey of triangles and clad in pale granite. the upper two rows of triangles per side, form a glazed apex. instead of stone cladding the triangles of the apex feature a design of stained glass.

The Pyramid of Peace and Reconciliation is also a palace houses a 1,500 – sear opera house, educational facilities, and others, it is also the national centre for Kazakhtan’s various ethnic and  geographical groups.

The pyramid of Peace and Accord is intended as a global center for religious understanding. and some religion are free to enter the pyramid thats why it called the pyramid of peace. peace for our world and  peace for religion.

And became the national museum of culture, and the new ” university of civilization”,  and also become the library and a research lab and center for Kazakhtan’s ethnic and geographical groups.

The Pyramid of peace is already the image of the country Kazakhtan. it symbolize the culture of Kazakhtan and the tradition. Architect Norman Foster make use of the color of the flag of the Kazakhtan which is color yellow and blue.

Architect Norman Foster and the Foster + Partner studies the change of climate in Kazakhstan. the astaian cliamte posed a signaficant challenge, with a temperature range from 40°C in summer to -40°C in winter. the construction must be rapid and precise.

As a student of architecture, I Compare the famous and one of the master piece of the famous architect I.M. Pei that he transform the country to be modern. The Louve, The infamous glass pyramid constructed around the heritage site and historical place around Paris. The Louve is the largest museums in the world and the most visited museum in the world and a historical monument. However, To the famous louvre the pyramid of peace and reconcilation is indeed more profound and mighty with its height for most parts and with the materials used in building it.
But todays day materials and parts are not important. The most important is the images of the architectural structure and its meaning.

As a student of Architecture i was shocked by this structure. The pyramid located centre of the city. and bring sublime feelings to the people. and ask, why their is a pyramid located in this city of Kazakhstan. for me Architect Norman Foster is one of my idol and one of my future rivals in architecture. the pointed hedge of the pyramid define some of the critics as power. it gives power and danger because of the pointed hedge.

Even a trashcan, plastic bottle, camera, polygon shape  can be a master piece and became famous. pyramid we all know that pyramid is historical structure and it is already old. however Architect Norman Foster change the image of the Pyramid itself.

We all know the function and the use of the pyramid during the time of the emperor and during the time of the early people. that Pyramid is use for the dead body of the higher class for example emperor and some goddess. in short the thumb. However  architect Norman Foster use the pyramid for people and he make the pyramid functional. The interior of the pyramid of peace and reconciliation was use. Architect Foster make use of it.

Norman Foster and the Partners are the best example and image of architecture, bind all matters and element to form a single entity which is the architectural structure.

The Philippine architecture from 1945 to present.

Old time going to the present time.

          As a student of architecture I imagine what is architecture that time.  I wonder what is the architecture during that time. because I’m new in architecture. And I don’t have any idea what is real architecture during 1945. Just I know is the present time., the modern time

         Philippines is known for island and heritage places because of the historic event happen during the past. The architectural structure during the 1945 is more on Spanish colonial period. But the Philippine architecture is  also influenced by the Japanese people, Japan share theirs  tradition, art, and they also help us to improve our architecture. Even they bring us  chaos during the time of our ancestors.

         Malay also influence the Philippine, Malay is known for native structure that’s why we have many native houses and structure. Even other country  have different native structure. Because of the influence of other countries.

         The Hindu also bring different style to our country (Philippines) and it also influence us. Hindu are also known for there native structure or the nature structure that’s why we have houses that can relate to  nature. Some of this is the “Bahay kubo” every country influence this kind of house that’s why there are many type of this house. The next country that bring us to the next level of architecture is the Chinese, Chinese people are known to art and passion. They have different culture and tradition compare to others. Chinese people stay in our country(Philippines) for a long time and they even built a  Chinese town to our country. Even this present time Chinese people bring huge important to our country (Philippines) because of there tradition and way of life that help us in our daily needs. Some of Chinese people in our country (Philippines) our already prominent.

         The last and not totally  the last country that bring different architecture style to our country (Philippines) is the American people. American also influence the country (Philippines) by mean of culture. American culture is known to be high tech, elite compare to other country specially to us. The American architecture is known for skyscraper , high builds, normal builds and modern type of architecture. The American architecture are all modern and different to our country(Philippines) even around 1945 there works and structure are already look like modern type or look like the present time. Stunning to the eyes of other people. Think about it if this works and structure really exist. The best example of that time is the World Trade Center it is also one of the skyscraper of all time. But it end when terrorist attack the World Trade Center during  2001. American  bring to us the next level of architecture and style to improve and learn what is architecture and help us and bring us also more meaning about architecture.

         During the pre-colonial architect of the our country(Philippines)  consisted of the Nipa hut. Nipa hut  this is the first house in our country (Philippines). But the early people in our country (Philippines)  live in cave. This is the origin of the architecture of the our country (Philippines). Nipa hut are made of nature or natural materials that’s why Hindu and Malay has a connection to this period. And the Spanish people colonize us.  And it also influence us and bring more important to architecture here in Philippines. The main example for this is the Intramuros in the country(Philippines).

Intamuros is a historical city and it bring more idea about the the Philippine architecture. When Intramuros built and finish. It is the city of the Philippines some people define Intramuros as European city or romantic city that time. when world war 2  happen the city became the war field of other country. After years of battle and it was over,  Intramuros it there but the side of it. Today Intramuros became ruin of the Philippines. Even it is a ruin, some architects of the Philippines are starting to rebuild it and and to bring back the Intramuros. Some aarchitect are wondering  about the studies of Intamuros. Some architects are Modern and Post-modern this time. only few who’s base is heritage structure. But today the I think Intramuros is under the process of change. Old time going to the present time.

         During the Spanish colonize our country (Philippines)  some of structure, houses are influence by the Spanish culture and the Philippine architect was dominated.

         The “ Bahay na Bato” or the Stone house,  this is the tradition house during that time. this is the transition of house, or the evolution of houses that time. first is the Nipa hut and the next is the Bahay na Bato”  nature material or the light material going to hard materials. Here you can see the improvement of our country (Philippines)  and the next is the present day. Right now all I can say is, its different  from the past than today.. today Philippines is already moving up by mean of its own culture and its own fruit. The fruit of improvement is base on the architect that we have. Architect today is modern and post –modern. I can say to myself I’m one of it.

Seeing this image I can see — Innovation. Function. Art… A Design Icon — An Icon of Industrial Design.

At first look, I can conclude that it’s a juicer with 3 stands. But there’s something different in it. It’s not your ordinary juicer that are mass produced and can be bought anywhere. This specific juicer, is something unique, something new, something futuristic.

The Juicy Salif is designed by Philippe Starck in 1990 and manufactured by Italian kitchenware company, Alessi. It is made from cast and polished aluminium and its diameter is 14cm, height 29cm. These are the only specific basic facts that I may pull by my own words. Let me give you the words that the founder of Alessi uses to recall how their best selling product comes to life, The Juicy Salif.  Cited from hivemodern.com, “I received a napkin from Starck,… there were some sketches. Sketches of squid. They started on the left, and as they worked their way over to the right, they took on the unmistakable shape of what was to become the juicy salif…”

Furthermore to see and understand how the Juicy Salif comes to life, we must see and understand what the designer’s perspective on his art. Phillipe Starck, the designer of Juicy Salif, is one of the best-known contemporary designers in the world. He is an accomplished architect and product designer. He is also praised by the public for his amazing building interior designs. Much of his work produced in the 1980’s and 1990’s was influenced by fashion and novelty. In the 21st century his approach seems to changed from being referred as “overdesigned” to a refine art.

Starck’s philosophy towards his designs are two things, honesty and integrity. He believes that as designers “we need to be both honest and objective.” Also stated in http://www.design-technology.org in reference to him , “Products should not created as ‘throw away artifacts’, only surviving for as long as they remain in fashion but should ideally have longevity and durability.”

Juicy Salif designed by Philippe Starck is a kitchen utensil invented to squeeze citrus fruits- like oranges, lemon, lime, and the like. It does not however perform its purposed because the juicer is casted and polished in aluminum. Which citric acid may oxidize because of the chemical compound can be seen in both elements. Its structure is outstandingly distingue as a juicer. “Its ergonomic uniqueness, which should make its use a pleasant experience, leave a lot to be desired…. Nevertheless, it is Alessi’s best selling product, a recognizable object, a design icon.” (Laura Gonzalez, Glasgow School of Art: Juicy Salif as a cultish totem)

In my own conclusion after assessing the product, the product designer, and with the small help of the manufacturer. I can say that this juicer- Juicy Salif. Is not made solely to extract citrus juice form citrus fruits but also to extract intellectual juice among others. This product brings a discourse among others. As the designer was rumored to have said “My juicer is not meant to squeeze lemons; it is meant to start conversations.”

“Not all squeezers are meant to actually squeeze.”