Thesis (BS Architecture) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2015

The aim of this study is to understand the "architecture of power" in the provincial capitols in Mindanao through semiology. These capitols are buildings that house the provincial government that caters a province, a political denomination that can subdivide into cities and municipalities. Eighteen capitols were included in the scope. Through semiology, their provincial information, site plans, elevations, and floor layouts were studied. The result showed that Neo-Classicism is the prevalent architectural style and that the architecture of power is defined as the result of the interplay of provincial factors such as history, geographic location, livelihood, trade and industry, politics and religion. These factors are translated by a designer into space and form, visually perceived by the people because of its stability of massing and plan, formality of design, and supremacy of the capitol on site. Further studies on the original form of the capitol buildings could also be done to observe the influences and evolution in defining the Architecture of Power in public buildings throughout history.