With its construction preparation underway, the Miriam College (MC) community is all set, ready, and excited for the development of MC Alviera—the pandemic, notwithstanding.
Located inside the Alviera development in Porac, Pampanga, MC’s third campus is poised to be one of the most modern and innovative structures within the 1,800- hectare township.
Flexible and Efficient Use of Space
The school is once more collaborating with one of the country’s top architects, Arch. Ed Calma of Lor Calma & Partners, to bring an inspired and sustainable 21st century design to the 10-hectare property that is balanced by a surrounding with easy-access to commercial areas as well as sprawling green landscapes and views. The architectural firm is not only keen on maximizing the natural rolling terrain of the space but aims to make it a reflection of the creative programs that school intends to develop as it carves a niche to serve a ‘creative generation’ in the area.
Apart from designing the MC-Henry Sy, Sr. Innovation Center, Calma is also known for other notable projects which include the Mind Museum, School of Design and Arts - College of St. Benilde, British School Manila Visual Performing Arts Building, DLSU Centennial Building.
For MC Alviera, Calma intends to highlight a ‘flexible and efficient space’, starting with the site’s unique character and topography where he will “create an architectural solution that increases the use of the site while maintaining its original character.” The development will be sensitive to terrain, vegetation, and views while placing emphasis on sustainability, where programs on water, energy, and waste management will be integrated. Taking into the consideration the warm climate in the region, building designs will ensure the natural flow of air to sustain and maintain good ventilation.
According to Calma’s conceptual proposal, the intention of the design is to achieve an “integration of a central organization of academic spaces and informal breakout spaces to promote interaction and collaboration.” Structures will be interconnected to one another, yet each cluster/area will have its distinct characteristic. Open spaces will be a consistent feature in all common areas.
The initial perspective shows sinewy and fluid set of structures as if one building morphs into another new dynamic shape. As a whole, the design has a very modern take especially in its use of softer edges compared to the usual linear designs of most buildings.
A Home of the Creatives
MC Alviera is set to be a modern and innovative campus that serves the different needs of its potential market, with a focus on making it ‘a home of the creatives’. This direction is inspired by the crafts, culinary, and design industries the region is historically known for. It sees students being molded at a very young age since MC Alviera’s program offerings cover basic to higher education. It will also offer short-term and technical-vocational programs that may be delivered face-to-face and online.
To see how MC Alviera’s thoughtfully designed structure will complement its programs is something to look forward to when it reaches its completion in 2023. “Build it and they will come,” from the movie Field of Dreams seems to be a fitting quote to this new chapter for Miriam College.
Just as the school has done in south of Luzon, it, too, will do in the north—grow a creative community with the institution’s own brand of education, one inspired by the enduring and trailblazing character of the Maryknoll-Miriam heritage.