LIWÁY Community Center: Where Community Thrives, Inclusion Rises, and Possibilities Soar.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Project idea

People were experiencing high rates of physical and mental disease linked to chronic illnesses, bad lifestyles, and an aging population, even as the pandemic's impact was lessening. Our society has been profoundly impacted by the isolation brought about by the pandemic, and many communities are now broken.

The project goal of the study is to provide an inclusive and innovative community center in Taguig City, Philippines. The objectives are to provide a Community Center in Barangay Lower Bicutan, Taguig City; to provide a recreational facility that can accommodate the increasing number of community center users; & to provide opportunities and an encouraging safe place for the residents.

LIWÁY is a modern and inclusive community center and recreational facility that provides opportunities, and an encouraging safe place for its residents. LIWÁY acts as a neighborhood focal point for people of all ages, promotes socialization, relationships, and mutual support, and help to develop a sense of self-reliance, social responsibility, and cohesion within the community. LIWÁY is situated in Lakeshore, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City—near the lakefront of Laguna de Bay where the Christmas by the Lake—the biggest lights park in the Philippines.

Drawing its name from the Filipino term "Bukang Liwayway," signifying dawn and LIWAY itself facing the East where the sun rises, the word 'liway' itself embodies a sense of safety and protection in Filipino. LIWAY also represents a light way.

The concept is extremely inspired by a beacon—a lighthouse, and a person or thing that inspires, encourages, illuminates, and a signal of guidance. Nevertheless, the design concept is BE4CON where the number four means: BE CONfluent, BE CONsiderate, BE CONspicuous, & BE CONstructive.

A community has different social groups that can be together inside a building. A community center that offers enrichment facilities for children and youths, and Government Assistant Facilities. A recreational facility that has fitness room with lockers, and multipurpose rooms that can be united into one big room.

Generates a well-adapted, and accessible built environment that can promote growth. A midrise structure that can maximize the views of the near parks and the lakefront. Allowing individuals with disabilities to the landscape without limiting them to the ground floor by providing a floor-to-floor ramp.

Catching the attention of the residents on a not common building form. A conspicuous 4-storey structure that has colorful exterior and glass façade, the range of vision of the users can be enhanced. A patterned wall that can be see-through the façade acts as an imaginary wall and allowing the ventilation pass across.

A vibrant and positive place to gather that is serving and has a useful purpose. The site is in radial pattern because the shape circle promotes positive emotional message, community, and unity. device, and the roof deck that serves as hangout area for the users and enjoy the sceneries.

Echoing the beacon's guiding light, the form concept mimics a boat's wheel, embodying the beacon's essence—a guardian guiding ships to safety.

Project description

Taguig City—one of the cities of Metro Manila, (the) Philippines, aside from Bonifacio Global City, the city is also known for TLC Park or TLC Village along the shores of Laguna de Bay where the site is situated. The park serves as a venue for events and recreational activities organized by the local government of Taguig. Locals, people from another Barangays, and even from other cities went here especially when it is Christmas Season because the biggest lights park in the nation is in TLC Village which is the Christmas by the Lake.

The lot is 3000+ square meter piece of land located in TLC Village, Barangay Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, in the Metro Manila. The lot is regular in shape, with the long sides facing southeast and northwest. It is an inside lot, accessible through minor road and bridge from the Circumferential Road 6 (C6) along its southeast side. The site is near the residential, institutional, and assembly areas that makes it more active when it comes to users.

The site concept is in radial pattern because it promotes positive emotional message, community, and unity. When entering the site, users will be welcome by an arch at the front of the main building. There are four entrances on the site, the drop-off at the front, the pedestrian access at the left side and back side, & the vehicular access at the right side.

At the right side of the site is the vehicular access. When looking at the Site Development Plan, the PWD parking are not visible, but in isometric view, it is visible, and it is integrated as part of the ground floor—so that they will not cross the road and they are near to the main entrance.

The left side are the pedestrian accesses, one of them is the Linear Garden—a space where the people can rest and gather and enjoy the vegetation and the mini-park vibes. Gardens allows users to get in touch with nature and gives them a sense of being they needed. This linear garden is a restorative garden, a type of garden that is designed to promote healing and relaxation while just walking or sitting.

Next is my physical innovation, the ramp—a part of the community center that allows all the type of user to enjoy the view and can go floor-to-floor. Designers always put and consider this space on our design, but it is always taken for granted—the ramp should be part of our design!

(1) The ramp acts as a shading device for the building and the linear garden. It minimizes the sunlight during the afternoons, and the wood louvers are rotated 30 degrees.
(2) It can be also a form of exercise. When a person exercises, their body releases chemicals called endorphins. Exercise-induced endorphins can help reduce symptoms of depression. Higher endorphin levels correlate with decreased stress and anxiety. Endorphins boost confidence and self-esteem.

One might wonder why the ramp was separated from the main structure. The primary reasons include providing a pathway from the rear and front of the site and ventilation for the main building's spaces. As observed in the SDP, a small street at the back of the site leads to residential areas. Without considering this, the center may lack a welcoming atmosphere, resembling a simple backyard and back door. Additionally, it would not encourage engagement with the Community Center, as visitors would have to navigate to the front minor road just to enter the building.

Next is the color innovation, incorporating the color scheme of the dawn or “bukang liwayway,” a new day and new start or “panibagong panimula.” Before the sun starts to rise, some people saw how the skies change and burst different colors as the day continue to pass.

Just like how the day starting, the main building ground level color hue is blue where it promotes opening, calmness, healing, inspiring, and giving. The façade that made by a patterned shading device allowing the air and light pass-through, and this pattern is inspired by the name of the structure which is the LIWÁY.

When entering the building, they will be welcome by the atrium.

(1) Just like humans, the tree inside of the building is also seeking for light.
(2) The admin office where the users can get local government services—it also serves as meeting area for the volunteers.
(3) The waiting area that is inspired by an amphitheater that is directly facing the atrium.

At the second level, the sense of anticipation, motivation, youthfulness, creativity, and fun energy is flowing just like the colors yellow and orange.

(1) Youth Enrichment Hall, where the youths can attend seminars about social and political topics, and even the sex education.
(2) The Youth Computer Science where they can be able to use computers and free access to different software and internet that will help them to learn and grow.
(3) The kindergarten, a space for children where they can learn, play, and enjoy.

The third level is the catchiest and eye-turner of the structure because of its color. Red is where lively, ambitious, and warming up.

(1) The fitness gym, the gym fosters positivity and a sense of accomplishment. Within the walls of the fitness gym, people find kindred spirits that also striving for self-improvement—their presence, unspoken yet understood, creates a comforting companionship.
(2) And a multipurpose room—it is a workspace in which different professional activities can be carried out, and it is an environment that adapts to the different needs of the person who is needing it.

Fourth level is pink—it symbolizes tenderness, compassion, and communication, offering a sense of comfort and reassurance.

(1) Communal spaces are essential for fostering connections, celebrating culture, and creating vibrant urban environments—this place is where people can be sociable and festive, enriching their mutual experience of city life.
(2) A roof deck transforms otherwise underutilized space into a beautiful plane for various activities—it provides an extension of the communal area that relates to the ramp and offering views over the surrounding landscape. By maximizing this rooftop sanctuary, it enhances the structure’s value.

The last innovation is social innovation where, a community operates the building, the community are the users, and the community are the beneficiaries. By operating the building as both users and beneficiaries, the community embodies principles of self-governance, democracy, and grassroots empowerment. This prototype not only strengthens social bonds and civic engagement but also fosters resilience and sustainability by leveraging local resources and expertise to address community needs. Ultimately, the building becomes more than just a physical structure—it becomes a symbol of collective strength, resilience, and solidarity among its diverse members.

Technical information

The ramp is made of concrete, and the rails are made of steels, and the sun shading louvers are made of wood. The main building columniation is in radial form—the concentric circles are 7 and the letters are 19. The main building materials are mostly made of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) with several insulation.

The second floor where the kindergarten is situated—not only helps the child to develop new cognitive and social skills, but also personal skills. The room is divided into 3 portions: (3a) The middle most part is where they can learn, read, and reason. (3b) The green area is made of synthetic turf, and this place is where they can play and socialize with other kids. (3c) The last portion of this space are the mini libraries where they can read different stories that will help them to grow.

The flooring on the gym is made of rubber, and the ceiling is made of flat plaster ceiling. The multipurpose room is made of soundproofing materials and have an acoustical treatment. Lastly, the roof is made of bamboo and wood materials.

Documentation

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