The Philippine university building featured in a global architectural masterpiece

Society · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While many landmarks define the skyline of Manila, one specific structure at De La Salle University earned international acclaim. It is the only Philippine structure ever featured in the book '1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die,' a testament to its neoclassical survival and enduring significance.

St. La Salle Hall, the first building on the De La Salle University campus, stands as a primary architectural landmark. Completed in 1924, the four-story H-shaped building was designed by Tomás Mapúa, the first Filipino registered architect. The building's importance stems from its preservation, as it remained standing despite the 1945 Battle of Manila's almost complete ruin of the city. Following its survival, the building underwent extensive retrofitting between 2011 and 2012 to preserve its integrity.

The university's history is marked by complex interactions with colonial and political powers. The Christian Brothers initially hesitated to establish a school in the Philippines because the Americans insisted the first school only educate the ruling elite. This ran counter to the Brothers' original vocation of providing tuition-free education to the poor. They eventually conceded, agreeing that the upper-class children also required Catholic moral training. This compromise shaped the institution's early demographic and mission.

The campus has also served as a site of both sanctuary and tragedy. During the Japanese occupation in 1942, the campus served as a secret shelter for displaced civilians and guerrilla fighters before being occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army. During 1945, Japanese troops murdered 16 out of the 17 De La Salle Brothers who lived within the campus chapel during a massacre. Despite these hardships, the university has evolved into a major research institution, currently holding autonomous status from the Philippine Commission on Higher Education and being the first to receive Level IV accreditation from PAASCU.

Today, the campus is a mix of neoclassical design and modern verticality. It features the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall, which stands 90 meters tall as the tallest academic building in the Philippines. The university also maintains a deep connection to its alumni, who funded six of its major buildings, including the Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall and the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center.

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