An adventure in applied science - IRRI books - International Rice ...

26 History of the International Rice Research InstituteOn 12 October 1959, I wrote to Alfredo J. Luz and Associates, to C.D.Arguelles and Associates, and to Juan F. Nakpil and Sons. I described thenature of the IRRI physical plant and asked whether they would be interestedin being considered as the firm that would design the buildings and supervisethe construction work.Luz was in Europe and would return in early November but both Arguellesand Nakpil wished to be considered. I made immediate arrangements to spenda half day with each of them, inspecting the buildings they had designed. Atabout the same time, due to Filipino newspaper publicity surrounding the establishmentof IRRI, several local architects got in touch with me and asked tobe considered for the project. Each was carefully interviewed and given anopportunity to show some of the buildings he had designed. In most cases,their organizations were too small to undertake a project the size of IRRI’s.On 5 November, Architect Luz sent word that he had returned to Manila,had read my letter, and was much interested in being considered as thearchitect for the professional buildings. Accordingly, Luz and I spent the usualhalf day discussing the project and looking at buildings that he had designed.I was impressed with them and with his philosophy and artistic ability. Anadditional attraction was that the World Health Organization building hadbeen constructed largely of imported materials and thus Luz was thoroughlyexperienced in purchasing materials and equipment from foreign suppliers.Earlier, I had spent considerable time with Arguelles and Nakpil anddecided that of the two, Arguelles was perhaps the more flexible. Among hisattributes were an especially pleasing personality, one that would be easy towork with, and an unusually progressive and adaptable attitude with respectto design.Early in my interviews with Arguelles and Luz, I had learned that the latterhad no real interest in designing residences, whereas Arguelles enjoyed doingso. As a consequence, I recommended to the Ford and Rockefeller Foundationsthat Luz be selected as the architect for the professional buildings and thatArguelles be the architect for the residential area.Toward the end of November, I received a letter from Harrar informing methat I could proceed with the two architects but only on a provisional basis. Iwas authorized to work out an agreement with them for the preparation of siteplans, preliminary floor plans, perspective drawings, and cost estimates.Harrar made it clear that he and Hill felt that this preliminary work should beself-contained and should in no way involve a commitment to the architects tocontinue beyond that stage. Being on the scene and knowing the architectsfairly well, I was confident that they would perform capably and be approvedfor the full project by the IRRI Board of Trustees when the Institute wasformally established.Design of the buildingsI took both architects to Los Baños, showed them the land chosen for thebuildings, and made immediate arrangements to have topographic maps ofthe two sites drawn for them.