so P. Santos, Jr.
Ildefon
Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr. (September 5, 1929 – January 29, 2014) photographed by Ed Simon
Ildefonso P. Santos,
Jr. was an architect by
education, an artist in his
passion, and a landscape
architect by profession.
Otherwise known as IP
Santos, the Father of
Philippine Landscape
Architecture. A distinguished
Filipino architect known for
his works conducive to social
interaction. And the son of
Filipino poet Ildefonso Santos
and Asuncion Paez.
A graduate of the
University of Sto. Tomas and
the University of Southern
California, his works include
the landscaping of the
Cultural Center of the
Philippines, Manila Hotel,
Nayong Pilipino, Paco Park,
Rizal Park, among others.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE
OUTSTANDING IP SANTOS PROJECTS
I.P. Santos – the green architect
top 5 projects of IP Santos named by premier landscape architect and
IP developed a tropical landscape architecture style that environmental planner Paulo Alcazaren.
made use of endemic plant materials, local stone, arts and crafts, Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/
metalwork all in a “studied casualness” that made it distinct from
hard and cold western design. IP also added soul to his creations
Paco Park
by providing lyrical settings for the sculptural work of National
1
Artists Napoleon Abueva and Arturo Luz along with a veritable
who’s who of Philippine sculpture namely Castrillo, Orlina, Caedo,
Outstanding conservation of a heritage space,
Saprid, Fernandez and a host of others.
allowing contemporary uses.
DESIGN CONCEPT
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Landscape architecture complements any edifice
Philippine Plaza
no one knows this better than I.P. Santos, one of
the pioneers in this field.
Hotel grounds
Landscape architecture complements any edifice. It adds Innovative
color and life to what may seem drab or nondescript. This is why it swimming pool
is so essential to the outcome of any architectural project. and amenity
design that set
His landscapes were linear (or architectural), with abundant the standard
use of concrete. But these were softened by a mix of patterns, for hospitality
projects in the
textures, and materials, obtaining the “malamig sa mata” effect of
country.
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San Miguel Corporation
which he so often spoke. The integration of local art pieces to his
landscape was essential—an expression of our culture, as he would
say. The use of mass plantings in his softscapes was his trademark, Building
creating a visual feast of colors and textures.
A prime example of green
architecture and landscape.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Taikoo Shing Complex,
Creating beauty for others: IP Santos’ work philosophy
HongKong
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Many artists create beauty for their own pleasure, but Sir IP,
the Father of Modern Philippine Landscape Architecture, created
beauty for others. He said: Set the trend in Asian landscape
architecture for residential
complexes from the 1980s
“A beautiful environment is necessary if only to buoy up
onwards.
the sagging spirits and offer hope for the future. The alternative is
to invite irreparable destruction of mind and spirit and a complete
loss of morale. For it is …accepted that ugliness and discord of any IP Santos at an intimate scale where
sort disturbs …creates tension, and leaves an uncontrollable Magallanes he incorporates the artwork of
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Church garden
depressing effect on an individual, usually without his being aware several sculptors and artists into a
of it. This is why I feel that it is so important to surround people with cohesive whole.
beauty.”
ONCE, MARY AUDREY, D.
ARC -1209/ ARC 511
orporation Building
San Miguel C
Landscaped in 2006 by no less than the father of Philippine architecture, Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr.
ARCHITECTS BEHIND THE BUILDING WHAT DOES IP SANTOS DID TO ITS
DESIGN LANDSCAPE?
Known advocates of true Filipino architecture,
the renowned Mañosa brothers designed this
1.IP Santos provided the continuous planters
iconic, low-rise building of one of the largest
around each floor, contributing to the whole
corporations in the country, San Miguel
Corporation aesthetic, as well as the functional intent of
the design.
DESIGN CONCEPT IP Santos incorporated ponds for visual relief and their cooling effect on
the site. (Image by George Tapan from The Landscape Architecture of IP
2. IP Santos designed the grounds with ponds, Santos)
pocket gardens and a jogging track to
supplement the facilities in the staff gym.
3. A roofed “social area,” edged with more
landscape, provided a protected transition
into the building and was meant to connect
future wings to the main structure.
The building had a landscaped deck overlooking the Ortigas skyline.
4. Santos also designed a new type of
The building design was inspired by the Banaue
rice terraces and strove to create one of the first
“tropical” parking layout that ensured
green buildings in the country. complete shade for vehicles and provided
visual screening to mitigate the sight of
ARCHITECT BEHIND THE LANSCAPE parked cars.
DESIGN
5. He also innovated with an “invisible” fence
all around the site, incorporating thick verges
of bougainvillea and agaves that prevented
any intrusion, while providing a more pleasant
buffer with the outside.
6. Another signature Santos contribution was
the gate and entry portal design, which
reflected and complemented the ziggurat
shape of the main building.
Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr The building was filled with natural light and greenery.
ONCE, MARY AUDREY, D.
ARC -1209/ ARC 511
