Honoring our heritage: Dimensione x Chisel and Mouse

MANILA, Philippines - Heritage cannot be thrown away. Despite how much change Metro Manila has undergone over years of urbanization, our country’s well-loved landmarks remain the same. The Rizal Monument, Manila Post Office, and Malacañang Palace are just a few of the timeless structures seen within the city.

But oftentimes people neglect these Pinoy architectural feats and forget their beauty and magnificence. Dimensione gives justice to these iconic buildings through Chisel and Mouse.

Founded in 2011 by brothers Robert and Gavin Paisley in East Sussex, England, Chisel and Mouse produces handcrafted and specialized sculptures meticulously handmade from strong plaster. Their sculptures are fine and very detailed, and each piece is given a cool and smooth finish for a matte marble effect. Most molds are inspired from buildings and houses found around the world and are known to be statement table pieces or home décor. Their works can be seen in Paul Smith, Future Perfect, Liberty, SCP, and Axis shops all around the globe.

Through their expertise, Dimensione commissioned Chisel and Mouse to create artistic representations of five of Manila’s famous architectural landmarks: the Manila Metropolitan Theater, The National Museum, Manila Post Office, Malacañang Palace, and Manila Cathedral.

The Manila Metropolitan Theater’s façade, for example, was designed by Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti and is known for its art deco influences. Filipino touches like highly stylized plant carvings by local artist Isabelo Tampingco adorn the theater’s lobby walls.

On the other hand, The National Museum and Manila Post Office are strong, mammoth structures that have towering columns like old Greek temples. The National Museum was established as the natural history and ethnography museum of the Philippines in 1901, while the Manila Post Office was designed by Juan M. Arellano to have that neoclassical charm and sophistication.

Then there’s Malacañang Palace: a tangible ode to our Spanish roots. The presidential home features delicate detailing and was designed to accommodate guests with the warm ambiance of a Hispanic mansion.

Lastly, the Manila Cathedral is the oldest church in Manila and the sixth structure built in Intramuros; it also stands as a strong symbol of our deep-rooted Catholic patrimony.

These iconic and historical buildings now created as sculptures have been given new life and beauty through the eyes of Chisel and Mouse. The project was made possible by the country’s leading lifestyle furniture store, Dimensione, home to quality specialized décor and home furnishings from prestigious brands such as Magis, Cappellini, Fritz Hansen, MDF Italia, Foscarini, Arper, Jonathan Adler, Tom Dixon and many more.

The local landmark sculptures are viewable and available at Studio Dimensione, One Parkade, Bonifacio Global City, Alabang Town Center, Greenbelt 5, Rockwell Power Plant Mall and Century City Mall; the Bench Online store and Assembly store in City of Dreams Manila.