Exploring Metabolism architecture in the local scene

Architecture directly translates and reflects society's ever-evolving needs, culture, and environment.

- NICHOLAI GO

Yet, we often build static buildings that cannot adapt to our changing nature. This is especially true for Filipinos due to our rapid urbanization, vulnerability to natural disasters, and dynamic lifestyle due to our modern concept of family. We have OFWs who come and go regularly, multi-generational households, and much more. Do our buildings adapt to our ever-changing needs, or do we adapt to our buildings?

In the mid-20th century, architects Kenzo Tange and Kisho Kurokawa introduced a revolutionary architectural philosophy called Metabolism. It emphasized flexible, expandable, and sustainable designs that could "grow" and adapt like living organisms. Buildings and cities were imagined as organic systems capable of regeneration, much like living beings. At the forefront of this philosophy was the technology that allowed us to construct prefab and modularly. It focuses on the efficient use of space as it caters to the specific needs of the people. I believe that the Philippines does not have a lack of space; we have an inefficient use of space issue.