Architect Michael Adriano
During his younger days, Adriano was very much involved in religious work—first as an altar boy, then as a seminarian, which gave him the inspiration and motivation to focus in Religious Architecture.
Adriano noted that early on in his career, he was already inclined to do religious architectural works, which included designing mausoleums.
Such projects allowed him to create and leave his personal stamp and style while, at the same time, ensuring client satisfaction. Designing religious structures, according to Adriano, gave him a different kind of emotional high and satisfaction.
“Designing mausoleum is my passion because it gives me an opportunity to design a unique personal statement and memorialize a prominent family name while preserving their individuality,” Adriano said
“The first family mausoleum that I built was for the Uy Family five years ago. It’s a 36-estate lot located at Manila Memorial Park in Dasmariñas, Cavite. It has a symmetrical Neo-clas- sic facade with a mezzanine floor that serves as function area,” he related.
Currently, Adriano has already designed and built nine family mausoleums. His first client was the Uy family who commissioned him to design the family mausoleum.
Asked if he thought there was a huge difference in designing a home and a mausoleum, Adriano noted that while both serve as a shelter, there remained a marked difference.
“A family mausoleum is intended to commemorate one’s life achieve- ment and it also signifies the legacy and tradition of the family. It is a place where they spend time and express their emotion. A mausoleum is a space where spiritual practices and religious beliefs freely take shape. Unlike residential houses, its primary concern is functionality and the facade’s aesthetic design,” Adriano explained.
In most of his designs, Adriano made it a point to commonly follow or infuse modern architecture.
“Even if my client requested me to do the traditional or classic design, I make sure that it has a modern approach. By combining traditional and modern architecture, I’m able to come up with a unique design idea, which future generations can appreciate and adopt,” he said.
Adriano’s main design influence included Zaha Hadid, who is famous for her unique and futuristic design; Joan Serrano, an award winning architect specializing in cultural and religious institutions; Sir Norman Foster, an award winning British architect who has an innovative, modern and sustainable approach to architecture and integrated design; and, his uncle Tony S. Adriano, a renowned interior designer and a Papal Chair Maker.
“My uncle, who I greatly consider as one of my influences, specializes in Ecclesiastical design and had renovated 42 churches including the Antipolo Cathedral. Also, Kenneth Cobunpue, who is a multi-awarded furniture and industrial designer,” Adriano shared.
He added that the greatest reward he derives from designing a mausoleum is seeing happy and contented clients.
“I find fulfilment at the thought that I somehow help ease their grief by giving them a modern and uniquely design mausoleum, one that will appropriately represent their family’s unity and achievement,” he said.
“But my dream really is to build a mausoleum for the people who made a positive contribution to the world and preserve their legacy for future generations to know and learn. The true purpose of a mausoleum is to honor and commemorate the beautiful and purposeful life of a particular person. I build mausoleums because someone lived, and not because someone died,” Adriano concluded.