Tower One
Can a new office tower blur the divide between private and public?
The headquarters for one of Asia’s most dynamic real estate developers, Tower One stands a few blocks from Manila Bay as a striking example of metabolic architecture and parametric design that redefines the modern office tower.
Location
Manila, Philippines
Research Areas Parametric Design
Typology Commercial
Size
Large
Status Complete
Project Team Carlos ArnaizNutchanun BoontassaroLaura del Pino
We consider each project on its own terms and develop tailored responses. Learn about our vision and mission.
The building is conceived as both a private workplace and a public amenity, balancing these dualities through its material and spatial organization. Its modular structural system of concrete and steel is clad in a cascade of perforated glass panels at the base, inviting daylight into the retail and parking levels while maintaining shade and privacy. This energy-efficient façade is carefully calibrated to reduce heat gain, improving both ventilation and thermal comfort—an essential response to Manila’s tropical climate.
As the building rises, the parametric diagrid pattern of perforated metal panels gives way to a seamless, icy plane of ceramic fritted glass. At its most prominent corners, the crystalline structure culminates in an anamorphic projection of the company’s logo, which shifts depending on the viewer’s position—an innovative use of parametric modeling that unites identity and experience.
Our approach is strategically driven and informed. Click here to learn about our process.
By integrating energy-conscious shading strategies, metabolic systems of ventilation, and a modular, adaptable façade, Tower One stands as a beacon of Manila’s evolving skyline—blurring the line between public and private while showcasing the potential of contemporary architectural innovation.