Designed by National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa, the Coconut Palace is a government building known for its concept of the coconut as the ultimate “Tree of Life.”
Located inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay, it is made of several types of Philippine hardwood as well as coconut shells. But the most interesting part of its design is the specially engineered coconut lumber which is known as Imelda Madera. The coconut columns are shaped exactly like how the coconut tree would look like. From the coconut roots to its tree trunk, barn fruit, and shells, the building looks exactly as if its foundations were a live coconut tree.
The floor is shaped like an octagon, a nod to the incidental shape created around the shell when serving buko juice directly from the coconut. Meanwhile, the roof is shaped like a salakot, a hat made from old coconut palms. This quite popular yet controversial building for its time is really a gem.
Reference
Cabalfin, Edson. 2018. “Vernacularization in Philippine Modern Architecture (part 1).”Bluprint, April 20, 2018. https://bluprint.onemega.com/vernacularization-philippine-modern-architecture-1/
Abella ,Jerrie M. 2011. “VP Binay to transfer office to Coconut Palace in March.” GMA News. February 11, 201. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/212795/vp-binay-to-transfer-office-to-coconut-palace-in-march/story/
Image reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coconut_Palace_Court.jpg
