Aidea was the only local practice among the Top 5 firms chosen to compete for the design of the new Senate building. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of Senate Accounts Committee, said the five were chosen from 40 firms, composed of 16 local and 24 foreign companies, that registered their interest in the design competition. The chosen firms were AECOM, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, Henning Larsen Architects, Leeser, and Aidea. Lacson explained that they chose the five firms based on the technical and professional capabilities of key personnel of the companies, the firm’s relevant experiences, the number of operating years, abilities in green building design, identity/uniqueness, relevance, as well as awards and citation won.

MANILA PHILIPPINES

FIRM AIDEA
ROLE Director of Design
Competition Entry
DESIGN 2018
CONSTRUCTION TBD

FULL COMPETITION WEBSITE
https://www.newsenatebuilding.com/announcements

Ang Bagong Senado Sa Ikalawang Siglo
A Journey of Co-Creation

”Many people think a building is iconic because of its form. We propose that it is not only the form that makes a building iconic, but also the iconic story behind it.

It is the story behind the building that makes it meaningful, relevant, and beloved. Without a story, a building is a hollow shell—a form without soul. In contrast, a building with an iconic story resonates the identity and values of a people. It moves them to share the narrative and pass it on from one person to the next, from one generation to the next, interpreting their past, shaping the future, and becoming an integral part of the community’s history.

The first part of this book is about giving voice to the hero of that iconic story.

Our hero is on a quest. It takes him on a journey to the unknown. He meets challenges and crises along the way but perseveres. Overwhelming calamities threaten to destroy him, but he overcomes, transforms, and becomes a force for good in the world.

Who is that hero? Is it the designers? Our Senators? The Filipino people? We say this is the story of all of us.

We are on a journey of co-creation. Each of us is on a quest to build something beautiful and true— a life, a family, a name, a building, a legacy, a nation. Our journeys intersect at the creation of a worthy home for the protectors of our democracy.

The second part of our process is about telling the Filipino people’s story in architectural form.

We hope to see it built to manifest our people’s values, hopes, and dreams. Hundreds contributed their voices to this story. Walking the halls of this New Senate Building and enjoying special spaces designed to encourage a meeting of minds, our Senators would surely sense the people’s earnest wishes for their success and for peace and prosperity in the land. Seeing this iconic building in person or from afar, we hope Filipinos everywhere would see their image reflected back at them— welcoming, generous, respectful, and kind.”

Abelardo M. Tolentino, Jr
President & Chief Executive Officer
Aidea Inc.