OVERVIEW
The National Archives of the Philippines together with the Intramuros Administration is tasked to reconstruct and restore the Intendencia Ruins and convert the same to be the proper structure to house The National Archives of the Philippines offices with exhibition halls that aims to provide its extensive collection a venue to showcase the nation's history and cultural treasures. The restoration of the Intendencia will in part be realized through the funding under the General Appropriations Act of 2013, which mandates the restoration of one of the most important structure in Intramuros, the Intendencia Building. The design endeavor shall maintain the old building facade as it appeared at the most significant time in its history, which is late 19th century to the early 20th century – a Period transitioning from Spanish to American colonial era.
SITE FEATURES
Location
The Intendencia site is located at the upper left side of the Intramuros approximately fifty seven (57) meters from the Pasig River with an area of approximately three thousand five hundred eighty-eight square meters (3,588 sq.m.) The site is bounded by four (4) streets, from the right is the Andres Soriano Jr. Avenue (formerly Aduana Street) a major road, from the front side is the MurallaStreet, and from the left and rear is the Magallanes Drive. Directly across the Muralla Street is the Plaza Espana, at the right side across is the Puerta de Isabel II and at the rear side across is the Plaza Mexico, and farther more beyond the Riverside Drive is the Pasig River
Existing Site Conditions
The present state and condition of the Intendencia site is currently in ruins, abandoned and seriously deteriorated and has considerable damages and structural problems in all parts of the building. One can only wonder how much damage this building have sustained and how much more it can take by being in its present condition with its stone exposed, being used formerly as shooting location sometimes even with explosions as effects for the film shoot and large cargo trucks passing by it. This heritage structure in Intramuros must have the most motorized traffic volume in its vicinity
PARKING CONSIDERATION
The parking space for the Intendencia cannot be located inside the building due to the limited space requirements for the National Archives of the Philippines offices and repository areas. A basement parking is not possible and recommended due to its proximity to the Pasig River which will later cause flooding problems and maintenance. It is therefore recommended to request the Intramuros Administration (IA) to allow the National Archives of the Philippines to exclusively use the right and rear side (Magallanes Drive) of the building as the Intendencia parking area. This recommendation is for the consideration and approval of the Intramuros Administration Office. Other options will be the patronage of the newly constructed Maestranza parking area at the left side of the building across the Andres Soriano Avenue.
CRITERIA AND PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Building Code
The Basic Design of the Architectural Works followed the codes and standards and made reference the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBC inclusive of BP 344- the act enhancing the mobility of persons with disability), the Fire Code of the Philippines and Regulation PO No. 1185, Electrical Code of the Philippines, and the Governing Laws and Regulations of the Intramuros Administration and City of Manila.
Facade Restriction
The existing building ruins of the Intendencia shall be restored to its old building facade as it appeared in history in the late 19th century to the early 20th century – a Period transitioning from Spanish to American colonial era. All reinforced concrete architectural and structural elements shall be demolished which comprises the right and rear facade of the existing building. The design endeavor shall replicate the left and rear facade of the building to visually display its two storey facade of the Spanish-American era as required in the design with the guidance and approval of the Intramuros Administration. The consultant shall also take into consideration the building codes and existing laws on historical preservation and conservation utilizing the best Architectural and Engineering Technology available to restore and replicate the Intendencia building facade.
The provision to inoculate the various window/door openings needed in the design and required by both the Building and Electrical Code shall be attained by Architecturally simulating the covering and finish of the opening and make it blend with the original facade of the building. However, other openings dictated by the Electrical code and Meralco will make it impossible to maintain the character of the original facade. Approval and solution for such conflict in the design shall be discussed and presented by the consultant together with the National Archives of the Philippines and the Intramuros Administration.
The fire escape doors, transformer vault louver steel doors and Genset louver steel doors and window will definitely affect the facade, The fire escape door shall be simulated to look like the part and finish of the wall to blend as part of the existing window. The louver steel door, the safety signs and the three (3) electrical entrance lines from the power source is impossible to hide or blend with the facade, This will be a violation to the laws of the historical preservation and conservation but is a requirement of the code. The Intramuros Administration should consider as well the governing code and laws in the approval of the facade.
Architectural Requirements
The New Intendencia building will ingeniously house the National Archives of the Philippines offices, exhibition halls, lecture and reading rooms, Spanish documents, records and storage rooms, laboratories and binding rooms, repository and research rooms and the replica of the vaulted lobby and grand staircase. This space requirement was ascertained and confirmed through the 'Terms of Reference', consultation meetings and suggestions of the Intendencia Technical Committee (ITeC) on the schematic drawings previously submitted and presented and approved.
Building Occupancy
The National Archives of the Philippines has six (6) divisions which are distributed at the three different levels of the office building. They are based on the 'Terms of Reference' provided by the National Archives of the Philippines and Intramuros Administration. Some of the office spaces were relocated based on the discussions, comments and suggestions during the number of consultation and presentation meetings. The executive division is headed by the Executive Director and is assisted by two (2) Deputy Executive Directors for records management and archives administration. Under the executive offices are the divisions which are headed by a division chief. Each division is located near each other or is provided with designated stair access for easy interaction and flow of activities. The executive division is located at the uppermost level of the building for privacy, security and hierarchy. The repository areas are divided into two upper levels so that it will be safe from flooding and secured from direct public access and theft.
Building Security
The design endeavor focuses on the security of the building. There should be only one point of entry and exit. If there would be a good reason to add another point of entry and exit it should be controlled and monitored. In achieving security the segregation of the public/visitor flow and the employees flow should be clearly defined. The main entrance/exit is located at the front or at the Muralla Street side for the public/visitor and person with disability. Another entrance/exit is located at the rear or the Magallanes Drive for the public and employees. The entrance and exit points shall be provided with lobby space, information counters, lockers and security check stations to allow and ensure maximum control of passage. A BMS (Building Management System) shall be provided in the building for easy monitoring and control of all service facilities and security elements.