Chapter XXII
The Pierced Screen. Other Architects and their works.
The role of the architect in society is to contribute to the enrichment of culture
through the improvement of man’s habitation. To carry out such mission, architects keep
adopting architectural and constructional features the latest of which is the pierced
screen.
The pierced screen functions mainly as diffuser of light and secondarily as an
ornamental item. Like the brise soleil, it was first used to cover only a portion of one side
of the structure, then the entire side, two side, three, until finally, in case of some
buildings, pierced screen is used all around. This particular feature developed into
ornate types and form.
The material for the architectural feature has also its development. In the
beginning, hollow block were used. For quite time, they were popular in Manila and
other places. Time, however, changed them ceramic blocks were tried. These
developed further into blocks specifically for screen purposes; they came in various
designs such as circular, quadrangular, hexagonal, diamond-shaped, cris-cross and
many other forms. From this point, other materials were used, the most popular of which
being aluminum. The workability of aluminum has enabled designers and builders to
transform it into the most ingenious forms in screening a building.
Designed by Enrique J.L. Ruiz, Tiaoqui Building on Plaza Sta. Cruz is cover on its
west side with a tail concrete slab rising from the second story to slight above its roof
line and extending over half the whole width. The slab is pierced at regular intervals and
on regular courses by port holes.
An almost full-screened edifice is the Phoenix Insurance Building in Intramuros .
It was designed by the architect, Gines Rivera. But one of the newest structures were
the screen is used all around is the United States Supplementary Office Building in the
Embassy compound on Dewey Boulevard. Its architect is Alfred L. Aydeloth, an
American from Memphis, Tennessee.
The pierced screen has also been utilized in government buildings. One of
them is the University Union Building of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City
which has its entire western slide screened. It was designed by Roberto Noveranio .
Another, the PHILCOA Building, also in Quezon City, has the entire facade, covered
with screen. Other public buildings have followed suit. Even residential houses and
apartments have utilized either partially or fully, this newest of architectural features
both as an ornament and as a functional member.
Post-war architects have opportunity responded to the needs and demands
of industry; they have given it a share of their efforts. As a result, the old, gloomy, murky,
poorly ventilated factory houses of the nineteen-thirties have given way to modern
The Pierced Screen. Other Architects and their works.
The role of the architect in society is to contribute to the enrichment of culture
through the improvement of man’s habitation. To carry out such mission, architects keep
adopting architectural and constructional features the latest of which is the pierced
screen.
The pierced screen functions mainly as diffuser of light and secondarily as an
ornamental item. Like the brise soleil, it was first used to cover only a portion of one side
of the structure, then the entire side, two side, three, until finally, in case of some
buildings, pierced screen is used all around. This particular feature developed into
ornate types and form.
The material for the architectural feature has also its development. In the
beginning, hollow block were used. For quite time, they were popular in Manila and
other places. Time, however, changed them ceramic blocks were tried. These
developed further into blocks specifically for screen purposes; they came in various
designs such as circular, quadrangular, hexagonal, diamond-shaped, cris-cross and
many other forms. From this point, other materials were used, the most popular of which
being aluminum. The workability of aluminum has enabled designers and builders to
transform it into the most ingenious forms in screening a building.
Designed by Enrique J.L. Ruiz, Tiaoqui Building on Plaza Sta. Cruz is cover on its
west side with a tail concrete slab rising from the second story to slight above its roof
line and extending over half the whole width. The slab is pierced at regular intervals and
on regular courses by port holes.
An almost full-screened edifice is the Phoenix Insurance Building in Intramuros .
It was designed by the architect, Gines Rivera. But one of the newest structures were
the screen is used all around is the United States Supplementary Office Building in the
Embassy compound on Dewey Boulevard. Its architect is Alfred L. Aydeloth, an
American from Memphis, Tennessee.
The pierced screen has also been utilized in government buildings. One of
them is the University Union Building of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City
which has its entire western slide screened. It was designed by Roberto Noveranio .
Another, the PHILCOA Building, also in Quezon City, has the entire facade, covered
with screen. Other public buildings have followed suit. Even residential houses and
apartments have utilized either partially or fully, this newest of architectural features
both as an ornament and as a functional member.
Post-war architects have opportunity responded to the needs and demands
of industry; they have given it a share of their efforts. As a result, the old, gloomy, murky,
poorly ventilated factory houses of the nineteen-thirties have given way to modern
