Living in a Material World

Remember Madonna, the legendary musical artist who popularized the song “Material Girl”? Our headline is a lyrical excerpt from her smash hit, but isn't this expression also more relevant to the world of architecture and design?

Let me explain.

We obviously live in a material world! And for the majority of the human population who have been thriving in cities for as long as one can remember, what are the three most typical building materials that define today’s urban skyline?

Concrete. Glass. Steel. Aren’t they?

Would the modern cities of today exist without the technological breakthroughs of those three building materials? Probably not. Although they are not the only technical components responsible for a project’s fundamental construction, their global applications across various urban developments have proven their appealing beauty, durability, and functionality.

Yes, countless examples of concrete, glass, and steel are evident in any modern city across the planet. However, let’s not wander too far away, but instead focus on one spectacular edifice standing tall within my very own homeland.

Allow me to present Bai Hotel, an outstanding marvel of architecture that caters to the rapidly booming tourism and corporate sectors of Cebu City!

Fun fact: the Cebuano/Visayan word “Bai” means friend, peer, dude, pal, bro, or mate when translated to English. The hotel founder’s decision to adopt this term aligns perfectly with their branding strategy, celebrating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for discerning guests in their hospitality business.

I’ve been a loyal customer of this renowned establishment for many years now. And besides being constantly satisfied with their impeccable service, accommodating staff, and state-of-the-art facilities, I’ve always been fascinated by the hotel building’s design, most importantly, its material composition.

You don't need to be an Architect or Designer to appreciate its timeless appeal. And if you get the chance to pass by this eye-catching skyscraper of over 20 storeys, it’s merely impossible not to notice its minimalistic, sleek, bold, and dark architectural character - even made more pronounced during the day against the bright backdrop of clear blue skies.

Whether viewed from a passing vehicle or approached by foot, Bai Hotel’s exterior facade is a design statement that couldn't be overlooked! Its signature style is truly impressive, escalating it to being one of Cebu City’s most iconic landmarks.

Let’s discuss Bai Hotel’s distinctive physical materialities of concrete, glass, and steel, and its professional execution of these innovative architectural and construction technologies. Here are my personal observations:

Concrete is famous for its raw texture, rough form, and rustic aesthetic. Although it primarily consists of pure cement combined with appropriate ratios of sand, gravel, and reinforced with steel bars, Bai Hotel has seamlessly merged this stone-like building component with the other more prominent claddings of glass, steel and composite surfaces. As opposed to other projects that expose concrete to the outdoor elements creating a “Brutalist” style, they have been smartly hidden instead within the smooth layers of neutral painted colors, protruding solar shades, plus other architectural features.

Glass is by far one of the most versatile building materials ever invented. It still has pros and cons though. Installed in sheets or panels, this material’s visual transparency allows users to clearly view the outside world without scenic obstructions. On the other hand, the interior spaces and their inhabitants also become vulnerable due to privacy concerns. Sure enough, Bai Hotel has resolved this issue with the provisions of glass tints, curtains, draperies, louvers, and blinds - well-fused into the spacious enclosures.

Steel has been around since the Industrial Revolution and has massively contributed to the meteoric rise of cities. These highly durable building components consisting of steel columns, beams, and integral reinforcements act as the structural skeleton of erected projects and also function as decorative elements for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Bai Hotel has definitely taken advantage of steel’s distinctive characteristics by incorporating it in all of its architectural frameworks that require it.

Moreover, there are other building materials not mentioned here but are equally crucial parts of the construction process. We will cover them in future episodes.

Apart from being affected by their physical qualities, these three building materials likewise influence the way we think and feel, don't they? The direct connections, interactions, and engagements we experience with the field of architecture, must always be part and parcel of the design process.

In fact, we sometimes forget that buildings and other types of habitable spaces were crafted for people in the first place. Hence, factoring the human element during the original architectural concept never fails to create successful built environments.

What are your ideas about Bai Hotel’s architecture? Do you think they have properly implemented the material features and benefits of concrete, glass, and steel? Would you design it differently?

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Living in a Material World | Ecency