Project: New Era University Philippine Arena

Designer: Peter Walker Partners

Location: Ciudad De Victoria, Philippines

Completion date: July, 2014

Client: Iglesia NI Cristo

This project done by Peter Walker Partners demonstrates the context of the project through its images as well as through text.  The site is located in the Philippines at New Era University.  The arena is designed by Populous with an elliptical form.  Based on this elliptical form, the landscape creates a curvilinear system.  Through the use of trees and covered walkways, the “larger than life” scale of this arena and plaza are brought down to human scale.  The design of this space is conducive for its intended use of meeting, socializing, and moving through.

The process of this project was mainly explained through text, but some of the images, done in AutoCAD, Photoshop, and/or Sketch Up, highlighted specific elements of the process.  For example, there are two diagrams that show two layers of the project design; one is trees and the other pedestrian movement.  It is easy to see that the two are related because of these diagrams.  Based off the images, it was easy to notice that shade was desperately needed in the plaza, so they placed rows of trees as well as creating covered walkways for the visitors.  There are a variety of photomontages that demonstrate the feel of the space.  From these images, you can see that the space was designed to create a variety of experiences for the visitor, as well as allow for flexibility in the program of the individual spaces.  For example, there is one plaza that has two 15M fountains.  These fountains are able to be drained to allow for semi-large events.

The main perspective drawings that show the space and what’s in it are done in both Google Sketch Up and Photoshop.  The main structures, such as the buildings, paving, covered walkways, and stairs are all done in Sketch Up.  The added character of the drawings are done in photoshop.  The trees, flowers, people, fountains, and cars are all added to the Sketch Up image through photoshop.  The sections on the other hand are done in AutoCAD and then taken into photoshop for detailing and added character.  The systems diagrams are done completely in AutoCAD, with no added character in order to be simple and efficient in explaining the system.  There are three planting diagrams that have a base of AutoCAD and are painted in photoshop in order to show the color of the plants that are going to be used.  Finally, the master plans are done in AutoCAD with color added in photoshop in order to make the spaces and the color of the plantings stand out.

CDV Plaza

Sketch Up drawing with Photoshop trees and people.  I think the repetition of the same photoshop trees is a little ridiculous.  It makes the spaces look really fake.

Diagrams.

The one on the left is a diagram of the pedestrian ways and sidewalks.  The one on the right is a diagram of the location of trees.  Both of these diagrams were done in AutoCAD.

The Great Stairs Perspective and Section.

The bases of these drawings were done in AutoCAD and then were put in photoshop to add color and details.  Again, the repetition of the trees makes the space look very fake.

Covered Walkway.

This section was done in AutoCAD and finished off in Photoshop.  I think this section is done very well.  The trees don't look as fake in repetition - probably because they're palm trees and all palm trees look relatively the same.  I probably would have added a few more people under the covered walkway.

The Great Stairs.

This Sketch Up model was added to in Photoshop.  I think it was done very well.  The trees don't look as fake since the pink flowers are drawing the eye.

North Arrival Sections.

As before, these sections that were done in AutoCAD and Photoshop look a little ridiculous because of the repeated trees.

Planting Concepts.

These diagrams do a great job of showing the planting choices through color for each of the spaces.

Master Plan.

I think this plan does a great job of communicating the idea of the space and the function of it as well.  The use of AutoCAD and Photoshop really make the plan "pop."