Bunzel Building

From a priest’s legacy to a bustling hub of learning, the Bunzel Building stands as a testament to time. The Bunzel Building at the University of San Carlos Technological Center has witnessed generations of students. The Bunzel Building, originally the “Engineering Building,” began as a vision in 1963. Just three years later, the building was inaugurated. This year marks its 50th anniversary. The Bunzel Building was named after Fr. Lawrence Bunzel, whose inheritance funded the land purchase. Architects Santos Alfon and Cristobal Espina, along with engineer Jose Rodriguez, designed this iconic structure. The Bunzel Building’s design reflects the spirit of “Taga-Bukid,” meaning “from the mountains.” It creates a light, airy, and relaxing atmosphere, a welcome contrast to the demands of university life. Originally, the top floor housed the College of Architecture and Fine Arts, a creative nest for aspiring architects and artists until 2004. Students would hustle up the side ramps, often breathless, to reach their drafting rooms. These rooms were passively cooled, a testament to a different era. The lower floors held engineering departments and administrative offices, also without air conditioning. While the interior has seen some changes, the Bunzel Building’s character remains. The welcoming entrance, the lofty lobby, the refreshing courtyards, and the wide corridors all echo the original design. Even with the architecture department’s move to a new building in 2005, the Bunzel Building continues to serve the university. The fourth floor, once filled with drafting tables, now houses classrooms and labs. However, the Architecture Computer Center remains, a link to the building’s artistic past. The Bunzel Building stands as a symbol of enduring design and educational legacy. It represents not just a building but a piece of the university’s history, a place where countless students have pursued their dreams.