STUDYING architecture is a challenging yet fun endeavor for a student who chooses this interesting and relevant design field. If one is to choose a profession where he can actually redefine the skyline of a small community or a bustling city through his creativity, then he must go through the most rigid design training.
This year’s undergraduate thesis of the architecture program of the University of San Carlos clearly defined the yearning of these architects-in-training to stamp their mark in their respective communities. Judged as this semester’s best thesis, the proposal of graduating architecture students Zach Elisha Go and Chloe Huang entitled “ATLAS: A Proposed Athletic Development Center with Sports Hub” dealt with the poor quality of the country’s sports facilities, especially for the athletes’ training for local and international competitions.
“Our proposal will also serve as a venue for grassroots athletes to train to possibly become national athletes,” says Chloe. Their proposal, which they envisioned to be built at the South Roads Properties, includes a main stadium for events, an athlete’s village that could be converted into a hotel during “lean months” and an athletic development center for training activities based on the SMART (Sports Mapping Action Research Talent) program.
Their chosen site also embraces the existing San Pedro Templete, which they have retained in their proposal and was made part in their proposed meditation garden.
Their thesis evolved after a thorough research and interviews with officials of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Cebu City Sports Commission. “We realized as our research progressed that we needed a bigger and more relevant proposal to better answer the most pressing issues plaguing Philippine sports,” reveals Zach.
Design concept is always key to a relevant building design. The resulting architecture design of the buildings is a reflection of the sports program and the kind of athletes that will be produced and showcased in the facility. Emphasis on steel and the building mass denotes structural expressionism that somehow equates to physical fitness and athleticism.
When asked what they had to give up to accomplish their final requirement for graduation this April 13, both Zach and Chloe said they had to minimize their usual activities outside school like going out with friends. But one may call it the perfect combination of personality and similar work ethics, time management for them was never a problem. They used their break in between classes to work on their thesis to avoid having to work late at night. “I don’t like spending long hours at night in somebody else’s house with my classmates since it would just usually be a chit chat session,” admits Chloe.
Surely, both Zach and Chloe are relishing their achievement after all their hard work. It proves that excellence can be achieved when one puts his mind and hands to work instead of one’s mouth (yes, ranting about school projects won’t get you anywhere). Their feat should inspire other students to be humble, diligent and best of all, to strive for the best always.