■ ARCHITECTS DREAM UP PROJECTS FOR COMPANIA MARITIMA
Upon entering the South Road Properties from Cebu’s old business district, the Compania Maritima is one of the buildings that greet drivers and commuters. Yes, that is the “classical-looking” building at the back of Cebu City Hall, devoid of its roof and interior walls and surrounded mostly by parked vehicles. Many might take a quick glance at it passing through the wide highway that serves as a familiar “shortcut” to the southern part of the city while others might opt to just look the other way and into the azure waters of the Mactan Channel.
Compania Maritima has long been left in its decrepit state and just like many of the city’s historical buildings and sites it does not deserve to be treated as such. There were proposals that were floated by government leaders including its conversion into an aviary but restoring a significant historical building would need a lot of research to make sure that preservation or conservation efforts are done properly. Its history should be considered when introducing adaptive re-use approaches for the old building.
Built in 1910, it was known as the Fernandez Building, housing several offices and later on served as a hotel owned by Shamrock. The building exudes the dignified and formal Neoclassical style of architecture, which was prevalent during the American colonial period. Fortunately after suffering damage from the bombings during World War II, its distinct architectural features like the rhythmically arranged arched windows framed with classical pilasters and the graceful balustrades crowning its roof remain. Its façade is at times reminiscent of beautiful Renaissance palazzos of Europe. So, just imagine if this building is properly restored and revitalized, this could be one of the definitive historical landmarks of Cebu.
This was clearly in the minds of Cebuano architects who took part in an exhibit that was held during the 25th Construction Show Cebu (CebuCon) at the SM City Seaside Mall recently. Being a long-time collaborator with architects, CebuCon allotted a gallery dubbed ArchiThoughts, showcasing the different ideas of different chapters of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Regional District C1.
One of the ideas showcased
was from UAP Sugbu Chapter, whose entry won the “public voting” after exhibit visitors cast votes for their favorite adaptive re-use schemes for the building and its immediate surroundings. Chapter member and architect Ralph Richard Su, who heads the design team, dubs the proposal as “incubation.”
Another chapter, UAP Rajah Humabon, envisions the Maritima Building as being integrated into a transport terminal for light railway transit, cable car and bus systems showing the architects’ concern of also minimizing the traffic problems of the city. Transportation was also the theme for UAP Metro Cebu Chapter’s idea. Its members planned to convert the building into a transport and collection museum.
On the other hand, UAP Datu Lapu Lapu Chapter also envisioned the Maritima as a museum but wanted to “house” the historical remains with an exo-skeletal framework. Viewers of the artifacts displayed inside descend from ramps, eliminating the feeling of “museum fatigue” just like what the great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright did in his Solomon Guggenheim museum.
According to the online design magazine, ArchDaily, adaptive reuse is a “perfect way to breathe life into an old building, while conserving resources and historic value.” There are a lot of possible uses for the Maritima building to restore its historical relevance to the community—uses that are more connected to its original purpose when it was built back in the early 1900s. By choosing the best new use, the building will tell the new generation of its history more vividly.