The Poet Of Concrete: Revisiting The Works Of National Artist For Architecture Leandro Locsin

Open this May 2026 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the retrospective offers deep insights into the works of one of the Philippines’ most influential Brutalist architects.

“Poet of Concrete” is a title that captures both the material and legacy of Leandro Locsin. The National Artist For Architecture is the name behind many of the country’s most distinct Brutalist landmarks, including the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex, the Church of the Holy Sacrifice, and the Philippine International Convention Center. These structures are marked by his visual language of graceful (one might say “poetic”) lightness, their massive geometric forms floating and defying expectation by stretching the limits of the ubiquitous material he often employed: concrete. 

This May 2026, the public will get a chance to revisit his life and works through the retrospective The Poet of Concrete: The Architecture of National Artist Leandro Locsin. First presented at the 12F Gallery of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) in 2024, the re-curated exhibition will run until May 22, 2026 at the Beato Angelico Gallery of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). 

The show was initially produced by the Center for Campus Art (CCA) of DLS-CSB, and is held in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Leandro V Locsin Partners (LVLP), and the UST College of Architecture, serving as a fitting homecoming event for Locsin, who graduated from the university in 1953. 

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What To Expect At The Poet Of Concrete Exhibition

The exhibition is curated by former CCA Director, Architect Gerry Torres, alongside architects Caryn Paredes-Santillan and Noel Cruz, who serve as faculty members of the UST College of Architecture.

The first section of The Poet of Concrete will walk viewers through the creative journey and career of Leandro “Lindy” Locsin, providing a comprehensive timeline of some of his most iconic buildings. These are presented through a series of facsimiles: original drawings, photographs, and models provided by LVLP. His works for La Salle’s schools will also be on view, including his first and final projects, alongside his recognition as an outstanding alumnus, with highlights of structures he designed that have since been demolished.

Meanwhile, the second section will be exploring his lasting influence as seen through the current works of LVLP, the firm now headed by his son Andy. The showcase will feature images, text, and scale models of key projects LVLP designed since Locsin’s passing in 1994. Interviews with various partners will be offering valuable insights into what it was like to work with the National Artist, and how his ethos continues to shape their practice. 

The comprehensive retrospective doesn’t just provide a look at the past, but also a nod to the future of architecture through interpretations of Locsin’s design philosophy by UST architecture students. The works serve as an investigation of how the National Artist’s legacy and principles continue inspire, mediate, and challenge the next generation of Filipino architects.

Accompanying the more visual aspects of The Poet of Concrete are excerpts from essays written by Filipino architects for the upcoming exhibit catalog, which include reflections from Gerard Lico, Caryn Paredes-Santillan, and AJ Javier. 

“The Poet of Concrete: The Architecture of National Artist Leandro Locsin” runs until May 22, 2026 at the Beato Angelico Gallery of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). For more information, visit facebook.com/BenildeCampusArt. 

Photos courtesy of the CCP