Hariz Khayruddin D.

Tawano II

Main Building – University of Santo Thomas (1927 – present)

The Main Building of the University of Santo Thomas has a Renaissance Revival architecture
which emphasizes the symmetry, proportion, geometry and the regularity of it’s every parts. It also
gives you the feeling of the ancient times because of it’s design and the structure. The building
was designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., in 1920 who is priest – civil engineer and the Main
Building – University of Santo Thomas is the first earthquake-resistant building in the Philippines
also the oldest university, located along Espana Boulevard. During the years of 1922 – 1923, The
plans were finally completed. In 1924 the construction began. The building has a 40 structures and
4 sides corner. In July 2, 1927 the Main Building of the University of Santo thomas was finally
completed and it was inaugurated in November 12, 1927. The structural system of the said building
was Seismic Isolation System which protects the structure againsts the earthquake force. The
building has a 4 floors. The first classes were held on July 2, 1927 and the faculties of Philosophy
and Letters, Liberal Arts (they would later merge under the Philosophy and Letters name, later to
be renamed as the Faculty of Arts and Letters), Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of
Engineering, and the College of Education were the first occupants who transferred to the new
building. Since then, the Main Building has been the focal point of the campus.