The Phoenix Project

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is among the largest state universities in the Philippines in regards to both the number of programs offered as well as the number of students that attend. Since Polytechnic University of the Philippines was foundation in 1904, it has established 14 campuses across the Philippines, and its biggest is the Mabini Campus which is also the main campus of the university, which is located in the City of Manila. There are two sub-campuses: the NDC Campus and the Hasmin Campus both of which are within mere feet from the main campus. To date, the student population of PUP in Manila alone is close to 281 – 288 50,000. The university has also played a key role in the higher education system within the Philippines by providing quality education for financially challenged youth of the country. PUP has further prided itself for having the lowest tuition fee in the country at the rate of Php 12.00 per unit (.027 cents to US Dollar on an exchange rate of $ 1.00 to Php 45.10).

The different programs of the university have sustained its high ranking in terms of its students passing the government-administered board examinations, employability of the graduates and its accreditation to AACCUP (Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines). Polytechnic University of the Philippines has also made a significant mark in society where freedom of expression is faithfully practiced.For instance, one notable incident that took place was when the students torched broken chairs and tables in one of the indignation rallies brought about by the perceived impending tuition fee increase but which was, however, refuted by university officials. Due to this incident the Department of Architecture and Interior Design of the College of Architecture conceptualized Project Phoenix. The name of the project was drawn from the mythical bird that was burned to death then came back to life by rising from its ashes.

The project utilized and converted the declared unserviceable resources of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines to art works or installation, consisting of decorative and functional art which would involve students of the College of Architecture and Fine Arts, its faculty members and alumni and assisted by the different colleges and offices of the institution. However, the materials could not be readily used, as a matter of policy, when the property becomes unserviceable for any cause, or is no longer needed, such properties may be disposed of by donation, sold through public auction, or may be destroyed in the presence of the officers of the agency and the Commission on Audit. As an experience common to all government agencies, there are also piles of unserviceable resources that are at the grounds of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines which are also disposed of accordingly.

The purpose of the Project was conceptualized on the pure basis of the following purposes: To create art installations, functional arts and other art works from declared unserviceable materials, furniture and equipment by the Property Division with the conformity of the Commission on Audit. To use the project as a venue to showcase the talents of the PUP students, faculty, and alumni of the Department of Architecture and Interior Design with the assistance of the different colleges in the construction/fabrication of the art works. To convey to the public the message of PUP community as creators, preservers, and conservationists. To pursue the advocacy of awareness for greener environment through the construction of a park that would highlight artwork or installation from unserviceable materials. To provide additional revenue for the institution. To pave the way of establishing a Recycling and Upcycling Laboratory for the College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

Methodology: A series of events towards the realization of the project was undertaken; a systematic procedure was observed in order to inform, educate and acquaint the participants. The series of events included: seminar/workshop; identification and sourcing of materials; declaration of materials as unserviceable items; sorting,dismantling, knocking down of unserviceable materials; fabrication and installation of the products; and exhibition and sale.

2-day seminar/workshop was open to alumni, faculty, and to students in order to promote awareness of the project. The first day focused on Inspirational Photography while the 2nd day on Mixed Media using Scrap Materials. All the lecturers were given by graduates and former students of the university. The lecture workshop series highlighted the art of Upcycling; which is a way of adding value to ‘waste’. In some cases, the recycling processes can achieve these aims as well, however, energy and water savings can be made by avoiding reprocessing materials to a virgin state.

The identification of the materials was done by the proponent and an architect-alumnus of the department. It is necessary to do an inventory of the possible material that can be used in the project. For instance, metal blinds used in the different offices of the university were used n this project. The blinds were not recorded as unserviceable equipment declared for condemnation to the Commission on Audit and considered as garbage. Metal Guard of Electrical Fan; Electric Fan Blades, were dismantled parts of the electric fans. Most of the classrooms are ventilated by ceiling fans while some of the offices use stand fans as additional cooling equipment to the air-conditioned rooms especially during the dry months where temperatures reach 34 degrees centigrade on months of March to June.

Office as well as school equipment which were deemed by the heads of colleges and offices as damaged, obsolete and could not be repaired or utilized were surrendered to the Assets Management Office. The head of the Assets Management Office, after inspection, declared the materials were indeed unserviceable items, this declaration by the head of the Assets Management Office that said equipment can no longer be used the office or the personnel of their responsibility and accountability on the said equipment.

All materials that were declared unserviceable were placed in one pile. Then the sorting stage would take place where the usable materials are separated from the totally unusable.The dismantling stage was the process in which the detachable components of equipment were separated piece by piece. The cleaning stage was done in order to sanitize the materials from both grime and dirt. These processes were done by students under the supervision of the faculty members of the department.

The fabrication and installation were also done with the assistance of the alumni of the college. The alumni who are engaged in the construction business were called upon to help since they possessed the tools, equipment, and technical expertise to undertake such projects.

October 1, 2013 the exhibition was held, in order to highlight the accomplishment of the students, during the foundation anniversary of the university. Due to the existence of a potential market for such project, research and development are done continuously in order to address the demand, both local and international.

The seminar/workshop was held at the Gabriela Silang Student Center, NDC Campus where the College of Engineering and the College of Architecture and Fine Arts are housed. There were approximately 150 students of the Department of Architecture and Interior Design, who attended and participated in the workshop given by the 3 distinguished alumni, Jeresano, Acantilado and Ybiosa.

The products that were developed ranged from paintings, photographs and sculptures inspired by Project Phoenix. The once unserviceable materials were upcycled into art works and functional arts which were done and conceptualized by the students and alumni. Functional art derived from the metal blinds, fans (blades and cover) and tablet chairs plastic were conceptualized by Ar. Royal Pineda of Budji + Royal Design Architects The conceptual design of Ar. Pineda, were metal blinds were used as hanging lamps and floor lamps. However, the actual fabrication was done by the alumni of the department who are engaged in the construction industry. All the designs are still currently in the process of getting patented in the Philippines.

Eventually, a small exhibit was transferred to the lobby of the Department of Architecture and Interior Design. From the materials given by the Assets Management Office of the university several art works were developed and transformed where some are listed below with their corresponding quantities. The goal of the project wass to be able to raise funds to sustain its research and development components.This could further be achieved through the amounts that would be generated from the sale of the finished products. However, no sale was consummated for the upcycled functional art since the products need refinement in terms of their quality.

In conclusion the primary intention of Project Phoenix was to divert the attention of the public on capability and capacity of the PUP community to generate and channel their energy to create works of art from scraps and unserviceable materials. The project, however, paved the way for the university to take a second look and assess its waste management system. Government policies have to go beyond the three methods of disposal, via, by donation, sold through public auction, or may be destroyed in the presence of the officers of the agency and the Commission on Audit. Policies on re-creating the unserviceable equipment which was different from its main function or intention was also considered. The method of not just recycling but upcycling was also an alternative direction. While there was strong evidence that the competence and aptitude which created art works is in existence in the university, sustainability should be substantiated. Sustainability was an important concept for the twenty-first-century organizations. Several organizations have been pressured from multiple stakeholders in regards to their sustainably managing their organization. There is a need to involve other disciplines in the project.

A key factor on how Project Phoenix or any project of the university and the community on Recycling and Upcycling was further visualized to be sustained is to institutionalize a waste management system that would include the recycling and upcycling possibilities of whatever materials that are generated by the community.