First United Building

The First United Building, formerly known as Perez-Samanillo Building, is an Art Deco building on Escolta Street in Binondo, Manila, Philippines. It was designed by Andres Luna de San Pedro, the son of renowned painter Juan Luna, and was the tallest building in Manila when it was completed in 1928.

The building, which was erected during the 1920’s, was a combined architectural project of Andres Luna de San Pedro, and Juan F. Nakpil. These two architects designed the building with a form of style that quickly swept the western hemisphere during their time – The Art Deco.

The style Art Deco can be seen as prevalent in the building’s design mainly due to its dominant geometric patterns such as the boomerang-like chevrons layered with spirals and lancet arches found on the lamp of the Perez-Samanillo Building in Escolta. These designs of the building have a cohesive structure which aspired to be both modern and progressive, yet at the same time maintaining its cultural and civic structures, maneuvered in the classic vocabulary of architecture. It even won the best decor award back in 1928.