Nestled within the verdant campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the newly completed SEARCA Executive House reimagines the classic modernist idiom through a regionalist lens—one that honors the architectural lineage of Leandro Locsin and Felipe Mendoza, whose 1970s-era buildings helped define the identity of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
This post-pandemic house responds to the evolving needs of executive accommodations while embracing the climate and cultural context of the tropics. The architecture evokes mid-century modernist tropicality—clean lines, large volumes, floating slabs, and a rich material palette—updated for contemporary sensibilities. Breezeblocks, vertical fins, and expansive openings animate the façade, allowing for both privacy and passive ventilation. Indoors, double-height ceilings, warm textures, and curated lighting fixtures elevate the experience of hospitality with understated elegance.
More than a residential structure, the Executive House embodies SEARCA’s enduring mission—rooted in global exchange, regional cooperation, and grounded local presence. The result is a dignified, functional, and timeless space that reflects the ideals of critical regionalism while embracing the spirit of innovation.
