Design Overview
A Tool for Storytelling
Assemblage of Symbols & Meanings
Rather than just making a visual icon, the design aims to become a tool for storytelling – freezing a chapter in history through assemblage of symbols. These symbols represent significant events and meanings from the past.
The Brutal
The term “brutal” may mean dictator’s brutal but it is also a short term for “Brutalist” style of architecture. A style that emerged in the early 70’s and is characterized by simple, block-like structures that often feature bare building materials, usually concrete. Most of the legacies of Marcos that stand up to this day are built with this architectural style. It is so strong, that it serves to communicate strength and power of the dictator.
Bloody Resistance and Deaths
Designed and patterned to resemble a dried land, the plaza form symbolizes the more than a decade martial rule over the country – more than a decade of state violence and human rights violations. The brutal structure above the plaza is a representation of dictator’s power abuse that has resulted to the evolution of demonstrations and death of people. Thirsty for freedom, the dried land was instead quenched by blood and tears of the victims.
Bloodless Revolution
Raised Fist – The bold form above the brutal structure commemorates the momentous revolution. After Marcos won the snap election of 1986 which had reports of violence and tampering of election results, people from different sectors and ethnicity gathered in EDSA and in other cities of the country to speak up their voices. Resistance against Martial Law gained momentum. This is where the design of the Museum took its form inspiration. A raised fist which symbolizes unity, defiance, and resistance. In history, the symbol has been used and incorporated around the world to mobilize movement and was seen from 1970 First Quarter Storm to 1986 EDSA People Power.
Flower Power – One of the highlights of the revolution was when soldiers sent to put down the rebellion were met with flowers. Thousands of unarmed Filipinos stood in the way of loyalists tanks, confronting armed Marine troops. A fight for freedom won not by bullets but by flowers. The beauty of democracy unfolded. The Philippines was praised worldwide. In design, the soft and gentle form of the flower is adapted.
Form Fusion – Together, the blend of raised fist and flower petals form of the museum aims to communicate non-violent resistance – symbolizing the power democracy.
Museum Rendered Images
Interior and Exterior
A sneak preview of the freedom memorial museum’s interior and exterior design.
Related News Articles
Published Articles
published news articles about the freedom memorial museum from different media outlets.
‘Brutalist’ martial law museum to rise in UP Diliman
3 architects win Freedom Memorial Design
‘Fall of Brutal’ team wins competition to design human rights memorial
Address
2/F J&S Building 104 Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
(+632) 8289-2218/8243-6020