#leandrolocsin

[andidowi]

The mighty concrete sculpture of Leandro Locsin. Who would have any Filipino architect have known locally would see this equal to the works of Zaha hadid, Norman Foster and BIG, that this project is way back in the 1970s.

[lakan-olivares]

Modern Moro design water tower selfie

Getting a view of the treeline around the 1976 Muammar al-Gaddafi Mansion at the in Camp General Basilio Navarro, Calarian District of the Zamboanga City.

The history of the Gaddafi Mansion began with the Bangsamoro separatist war of the Moro National Liberation Front that started in 1969, under the command of Nūr Misuāri (born 1939).

By 1976, Philippine Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (1917-1989) sent envoys to the Organization of Islamic Conference to intercede in negotiations with Lībiyā’s Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi (1942-2011) to cease support to the MNLF and broker peace in Mindanao. During the initial negotiations, Gaddafi indicated his interest to visit the Philippines, to sign the peace treaty.

This spurred Pres. Marcos to attempt to impress the Lībiyān leader by creating edifices that catered to the Moro people or showcased their artistry. So by August 1976, construction simultaneously started in both Manila and Zamboanga City. In Manila, the Masjid Al-Dahab (Manila Golden Mosque) was designed by Arch. Jorge Ramos (1937-2015), and constructed in the Quiapò District.

In Zamboanga, a construction of the Gaddafi Mansion was a confidential project to keep Gaddafi safe, due to security threats to his life. To ensure Gaddafi’s security, the mansion was constructed within the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in Zamboanga.

Unfortunately, when First Lady Imelda Marcos (born 1929) visited Gaddafi in Lībiyā in November 1976, Gaddafi had expressed his cancellation of his plans to travel to the Philippines. So the Gaddafi Mansion became the official residence of the SOUTHCOM commander.

I first came across the Gaddafi Mansion in 1993 when I paid a courtesy call to my uncle, the SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Thelmo Cunanan (1938-2011).

The Gaddafi Mansion water tower isdesigned to resemble a minaret / manāra (منارة) tower used by the Muezzin / Muʾaḏḏin (مُؤَذِّن) to call the faithful to prayer.

This picture was taken circa 2025, during my regular explorations to document local historical landmarks and artworks around the Philippines.

[archkdaquino]

Magnum Opus by National Artist Ar. Leandro Locsin at Monastery of Transfiguration in Bukidnon #philippines #bukidnon #architecture #leandrolocsin #leandrolocsinarchitecture #church #benedictine (at Monastery of Transfiguration, Malaybalay, Bukidnon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWz-P_KPcSZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[concipio-tektura]

Thin Shell x Surface Active - Structural Concept #religiousbuilding #iconic #leandrolocsin #structuralconcept #thinshellstructure #surfaceactivestructures #learningstudio #architecturalheritage #architecturalphotography #letrato (at Greenbelt Chapel) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCVNFjhsBQo/?igshid=1mgeq09yqh3h5

[777wave]

“A work of architecture becomes iconic only when it captures a spirit and an idea that is relevant to and valued by those who view it, inhabit it, and use it over time.”

Leandro Valencia Locsin 1928 - 1994 National Artist for Architecture

#MakeThePhilippinesMagnificentAgainSeries #NationalArtist #LeandroLocsin

Photo credit : Leandro V. Locsin Partners

[mattstudiobird-blog]

A tectonic tango in Manila. Leandro Locsin's Philippine Convention Center, 1976. #leandrolocsin #modernist #brutalist #architecture #manila #philippines #70s