LEANDRO V. LOCSIN
A brief exploration into the life and works of renowned Filipino architect Leandro Valencia Locsin, who some might put at par with the likes of Eero Saarinen, Paul Rudolph, and Frank Lloyd Wright, all of whom were Internationally recognized figures that he held to a high regard. History situates his best works in the height of the Marcos regime, but architecture enthusiasts argue that his creative genius must be regarded as seperate from the political conditions in which he practiced his craft.
01 05 07 09 11 13 Who Is He? Cultural Center of the Philippines Philippine International Convention Center Philippine Pavilion Did You Know? Editor's Note T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S *
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His legacy lives on in the form of L V Partners, headed by his son Andy Locsin who followed in his father's footsteps and became an architect of his own.
Bachelor of Science in Architecture Negros Occidenta A.A.,
Member of Sigma Alpha Vice President,
Leandro V. Locsin, also known as Lindy, is a renowned Filipino architect whose prime years were at the heart of Modernist Philippines His body of work, though impressive, did not gain prominent international recognition until Lausanne based architect Jean Claude Girard decided to document Locsin's works as his Master's Thesis, producing a book whose title takes Locsin's name.
Locsin, whose works are mainly local, has also been commissioned to design buildings internationally the most impressive being the Istana Nurul Iman, which serves as the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei.
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Delta
WHO IS HE?
Silay,
L.V. Locsin Building 6752 Makati Ave, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1228 Metro Manila
Makati Stock Exchange Buildin
ng, 1971 Makati City, Metro Manila
CENTER
Location CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard, Pasay 1300 Metro Manila
PHILIPPINES
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is considered by many to be Locsin's most important cultural contribution, which was designed with his signature floating effect, a design style that was common in Modernist architecture.
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Date Completed September 1966 77 Days
CULTURAL OF THE
Jean Claude Girard, speaking on the CCP's architecture, expressed his fascination with the way that the heavily angular exterior form contrasted greatly from the interior's organic style and movement.
The Philippine International Convention Center, located in the CCP Complex, is an example of Brutalism in Filipino architecture, which is manifested in its bare concrete, strong visuals, and defined lines It is even regarded by some enthusiasts as one of the most iconic pieces of architecture in the country.
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Location Expo '70 Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan Date Completed 1970
The Expo '70 Philippine Pavilion was designed by Leandro Locsin for the firstever world's fair, through which he wanted to make a strong statement despite the limited budget that he had to work with It symbolized the spirit of the Filipino people, using native materials such as narra and capiz shells As if it were fate, the Philippines also won the title of Miss International that year, and the coronation was held at the Expo '70.
EXPO '70 PHILIPPINE PAVILION 10
Did You Know ? 11
Leandro V. Locsin was proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture in 1990 by the administration of then-president Cory Aquino.
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Interior detail of the CCP National Theater (Tanghalang Pambansa) designed by Leandro Locsin
Before pursuing a career in architecture, Leandro Locsin was a talented pianist, and even considered a career in music.
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The National Artist was able to meet famous architects Eero Saarinen and Paul Rudolph, who were some of his influences as an architect and designer.
13 e d i t o 'r
Cicely Lasola BS Interior Design s n o t e
What is it about Leandro Locsin's work that fascinates me so much? I've thought about this a few times before, and I've always found the same conclusion. Locsin's work is attractive to me because of my appreciation for Modernist Architecture. I can't say whether it is the style that makes it attractive, or if it is because beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder Either way, his designs bring me a sense of nostalgia Maybe it's because the house I grew up in was rather Modernist, and maybe almost even Brutalist in nature -- some would describe it as looking monumental. Locsin's work makes me feel nostalgic for a time that I did not even experience.
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As a whole, I found that I just have a deep appreciation for Locsin's design style which is arguably at par with those of globally recognixed figures.
Another thing that I noticed in his designs was his use of exposed materials concrete, hardwood, shells, and the like. He uses materials and basic geometric shapes in a way that, when completed, can appear to be very complex, almost like the form should have been obvious enough to compose, yet would not have been possible without his expertise.
Leandro Locsin is an example of a Filipino who had the potential to be celebrated on a global scale, if not for the bias against less developed countries.
