UGNAYAN: Community Space

THE SITE is situated within Barangay Ligid-Tipas, Taguig City and it is accessible through Taguig Diversion which intersects with the Sampaguita Link Road

Under the zoning ordinance of Taguig, this barangay is classified as an Overlay Zone with a subcategory of the Local Growth Center Special Development Zone (LGCSDZ). The intent of an LGCSDZ is stated to minimize roadside friction and to encourage compact developments.

There exists both formal gated neighborhoods as well as informal settlers around this area. Another prominent feature of this location is the presence of a massive industrial structure directly adjacent to the project site.

TAGUIG is a city with a population of extreme social classes. Despite it being popularly known and purposely highlighted as a high-class city due to the central business district known as BGC or The Fort—Taguig is still populated by low-income communities located off the urban environment These people that stand on opposite ends of the economic spectrum is the main factor why this site was chosen.

UGNAYAN is the Tagalog word for connection. The objective of this project is to be able to bring together people of the community and encourage the interactive use of its built environment. This particular community seems to be in dire need of an inclusive space and this site has the potential to provide a space for all to benefit from. The designer aims to articulate not only architectural solutions but also planning strategies while keeping in mind what is essential to the target audience.

The design concept for this project is “Societal Trust.” This was an idea that was borrowed from Charles Montgomery in his book Happy City. The goal of this concept is for the whole community to feel safe, and to evoke positive emotions from this environment. It also aims to promote comfort through the hope that the social barrier is to be neglected as the space is made for the whole public.

Another related theme this project drew inspiration from is that man and his environment mutually participate in molding one another. This is proclaimed by Edward T. Hall and he emphasizes that culture shapes the structure of experience Thus, the users of this project are encouraged and expected to take part in further enhancing the soul of the space.

One last aspect incorporated is the idea of minimizing the development within the site. The designer considers that green open spaces are already limited within the area, and building more intimidating structures should be avoided. The landscape will be manipulated in the site plan, although a great deal of the lots is left for the community to dictate for their future needs.