Project Title & Location
THE RIZAL PARK BOTANIC GARDEN
Halamanang Pilipino, Manila

Client
PACIFIC ASIA TOURIST ASSOCIATION DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM - NATIONAL PARKS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
T. M. Kalaw St., Manila

Project Completion
1994

Associated Firms
Seastems, Inc.
ECT Consulting Engineers
PROS A&E

Services Provided
- Architectural and Engineering Design Services
- Landscaping Design
- Plant Selectiion

The design concept of the Rizal Park Botanic Garden expands from the current thinking of transforming the Rizal Park into a botanic garden of Manila. The overall objective is to conserve endemically and economically important Philippine flora for the benefit and enjoyment of all. The one-hectare site is built to showcase plants in keeping with Halamanang Pilipino theme. It is in this area where the beginnings of the botanic garden concept emanates.

Besides plants from the wetlands and stands of Manila, rain forest species are intermixed with local medicinal herbs, fragrant shrubs and spices.

The place is developed primarily as a setting for botanic education, a place for recreation and where one can commune with nature. Bems surround the garden in order to shield it from noisy motor vehicles.

The old building right at the core of the garden is being restored to house the administrative facilities. Unique to the building is an herbarium. A library for Philippine botanic literature and an interpretation hall welcome visitors to the garden. At the gateway is located a gazebo for coffee and souvenirs.

There is a high degree of confidence that the combined talent of biological expertise and design competence the planning team provides will result in a leading edge product.