Seaside City
Can a mall amplify a culture’s indigenous traditions?
For this project, we designed a new Supreme Court building for the Philippines that responds to the complex operational needs of the justice system while offering a public symbol of unity and pride that embodies local history, culture, and place. The building is a three-dimensional hyperbolic loop hanging over a botanical garden—its fluid form shaped through parametric design—representing the complex functional interconnections required by contemporary courthouses. The building’s modular rectangular volumes are combined into a single integrated work environment punctuated by gardens and terraces, fostering adaptability and efficient workflows.
Location
Cebu, Philippines
Research Areas Parametric Design
Typology Hospitality
Size
Large
Status Complete
Project Team Carlos ArnaizLaura del PinoKate Sarmiento
We consider each project on its own terms and develop tailored responses. Learn about our vision and mission.
Tribal futurism: contemporary approach, vernacular forms
The design reinterprets Filipino vernacular architecture using a contemporary design language, innovative building technologies, and new materials to offer a new vision of Filipino architecture rooted in heritage and tradition. Drawing from principles of metabolic architecture, the building functions as a living system, responsive to environmental and cultural contexts.
Our approach is strategically driven and informed. Click here to learn about our process.
Building community
The Supreme Court is envisioned as much a center of community and civic life as the justice system itself. Botanical gardens, arboretums, and an orchid walk offer distinguished public spaces, extending the idea of resiliency beyond the building and into the larger urban fabric. By integrating ecological and cultural layers, the project reflects the principles of eco-industrialization, blending civic infrastructure with environmental stewardship.