Lorenzo “Lor” Calma, born in 1928, is an architect known for being one of the first to introduce the modernist style in his field. A graduate of the Mapua Institute of Technology in 1954, he became known for his creative spirit from the 1960s to the 1980s. In 1967, established the Philippine School of Interior Design. Later, he would be appointed into the Philippine Regulatory Commission as a member of its Board of Interior Design, becoming instrumental in the formulation of the country’s first board exam of the said field.

Of the Modernist mold, Calma is known for his simple designs that integrate local materials and culture together. Though these can be characterized as international in character, the local influence in his works is still strong. Aside from architecture, he also dwelled in interior design. Geometric concepts dominate his projects, meant to “capture the transparency of space.

Calma’s designs can be seen in numerous places in the country, such as the interiors of the Manila International Airport (now Ninoy Aquino International Airport) in 1962 and designs for the Asian Development Bank and the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts. He has also received numerous accolades throughout his career, such as a Lifetime Award for Interior Design and Architecture in 1997 and being inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Philippine Institute of Interior Design in 2006.

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