Large-scale venues, often touted as modern day white elephants, are a metaphor for overbearing maintenance as they’re typically only used on occasion. Internationally-renowned design firm WTA explores what a public structure could be by building something for everyday people.
The Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) Stadium is a landmark project of Ilocos Norte’s Provincial Government. Located in the heart of Laoag City, this development acts as both a venue for events and as an additional public space for the locals. But this internationally acclaimed sports venue goes beyond just that, connecting with its neighbors in a meaningful way. It aims to invite daily life to flourish within its grounds alongside regional festivities and cultural events.
The new stadium stands on the former grounds of the Mariano Marcos Stadium. Building upon its longstanding familiarity, WTA reimagined the preceding space as they explored how it could further resonate with its community. The firm worked hand-in-hand with local builders, architects, and engineers, making it a compelling development born from native industry.
The stadium sits within arm’s reach of people’s daily routes, surrounded by public places like Rizal Park and the Mariano Marcos State University. Its central location and proximity to residential areas makes it a prime hypocenter for urban transformation.
WTA’s intent was to bridge together two different entities–the city and the stadium– by means of openness and connectivity. While conceptualizing the design, the idea of opening the southern end of the structure took shape.
Principal architect William Ti shared their firm’s vision in designing the FEM Stadium. WTA’s studio-based culture empowers their designers and professionals to holistically handle projects such as these with a particular focus and attention.
WTA proposes that architecture should inherently be designed at the community level because no person lives on their own, giving rise to the social scale. With its integrated public aspect, the stadium now becomes a venue that the citizens share with one another. It creates space for meaningful encounters to bring different sectors together.
Read more about FEM Stadium by ordering your copy of BluPrint Volume 1 , available via the sarisari.shopping website, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download via Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Photographed by Ed Simon.
Read more: Son House: A Haven for Art
Many people only notice good design when it is absent. A faucet that splashes too far, feels awkward in the hand, or sits slightly out of alignment can disrupt a routine in ways that are subtle yet persistent. These are small irritations, but they reveal a larger truth: the objects used every day often have […]
Running from November 27, 2025, to May 31, 2026, the exhibition traces how Art Deco moved from global design movement to localized expression through Philippine architecture, furnishings, fashion, and everyday life. The National Museum of Fine Arts’ Art Deco: Modernity and Design in the Philippines 1925-1950 explored the history of the Art Deco style in […]
Flooring can profoundly influence how a space is experienced. Long before furniture and finishes are introduced, the floor establishes a visual field that shapes movement, light, and proportion. This is where large-format tiles are particularly effective. By reducing the number of grout lines across a floor or wall, they create a more continuous surface. The […]
Since setting up her design firm, MB Architecture Studio, in 2007, Ar. Micaela Benedicto has built a diverse portfolio of architectural projects. Her works, whether residential or commercial, showcase a distinct spatial quality, “I like to create things that can go from something static to something that is alive and reactive,” Benedicto states. “In creating […]
Located in Pasig City, Kapitolyo is a small village that is known for its food and beverage scene. From karinderyas to local bistros, the area is a popular hub for young professionals and families. The cafés in the neighborhood reflect the dynamic community they serve, offering more than just a cup of coffee. What Makes […]
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
