Architecture

Architecture
The Development of Philippine
Architecture
Architecture is the planning, designing, and construction of buildings and other physical
structures. Creative mind in thinking how the materials will be used and combined, the design,
structural outcome, perfect blend of colors, and durability are essential. Architecture is
considered an art because of its transcendental beauty and message to its audience/viewers in
every design space or building.

Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the fundamental forms of architecture in the Philippines
were influenced by the building’s practical purpose as a shelter and were dependent on
available materials. Houses in rural design huts are erected one to two meters above the
ground depending on the region’s water level in the area. A steep roof over a one or two-room
living area is a common feature.

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 Architecture
The Development of Philippine
Architecture
The arrival of the Spaniards in the 1500s conceived the use of masonry and Antillean architecture-
European design. The traditional Filipino aristocratic mansion, or bahay na bato, was the primary
source of commercial constructions that emerged only during the latter half of the Spanish period.
The bahay na bato followed the same spatial patterns of the bahay-kubo with open ventilation and
high dwellings. Other bahay na bato designs would have a stone or brick-supported bottom level and
a hard wooden top level coated in tiles or, later, galvanized iron. This design allows tropical wind to
easily travel around the building, allowing for tropical ventilation. Best examples are the Rizal home
in Calamba, Laguna and the Luna house in Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

In 1898, the victory of the Philippine Revolution and the mark of independence from Spain were also
the transfer of power from Spain to the United States of America after the Spanish-American War and
Treaty of Paris. In the same year, the Americans arrived in the country, and a new style of
architecture arose with the settlement of the Americans. The founding of civil government was the
most significant American gift to the country. As a result, government structures were built from the
city to the municipal level. Every village had a government building. These government buildings
resembled Greek or Roman temples, filled with veranda and pediments, and were built in the most
respectable fashion.

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 Architecture
The Development of Philippine
Architecture
The revival period, as a new trend of architectural style of the time, was seen in the structures
of some famous and remarkable buildings: The Manila Hotel, Government Post Office Building,
and the Legislative House. The American administration prioritized mass education, and as a
result, public schools were founded. The most prestigious among them is the University of the
Philippines. Traditional patterns were used in new constructions, but they were built using
more lasting materials like concrete.

World War II left numerous buildings destroyed. As a result, rebuilding and renovation were the
ultimate priorities in 1945. Various building constructions entered the modern period using the
“International Modern Style’s”-basic straight lines as its primary form of expression.

The Filipino architectural design re-appeared in 1970s. The bahay-kubo and bahay na bato
were popularly reproduced and modified. This time, Filipino style in architecture was found and
re-emerged with the use of traditional themes such as in Batasang Pambansa and BLISS
Housing projects.

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 Architecture
Emergence of Philippine Churches During
Spanish Occupation
The job of the friars was eventually taken over by
skilled builders from the Philippines and China. The
ornamental themes were occasionally imprinted with
the craftsmen’s national themes: tropical vegetation by
Filipinos, lions, and dragons by Chinese. The churches
were built along with the “convent” (priest house and
office: also served as a school, tribunal, prison, and
evacuation house during calamities), attached or
detached bell tower (as seen in the Ilocos Region,
where the bell tower was built a few meters away from
the church structure to avoid the belfry collapsing
The three-story bell tower was utilized as a lookout during for an earthquake),
incoming and walled
attackers, with aforecourt
good view (open ofarea
the
building).
surrounding land and sea. The amount and style of interior and external decoration differ from one church to
the next. Many of them feature intricately carved exterior and reredos (the altar’s backdrop). Some churches
had been restored to their former glory, while others had been ruined by obnoxious renovations. Many
At present, and
churches are the product of several restoration because of the uniqueinitiatives
remodeling architecturalthat
style of somebuilt
were Philippine churches
on top such as the
of previous
San Agustin Church in Manila; San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; Nuestra Señora de
foundations. la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur; and Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Iloilo that
seemingly resembles the European-Baroque style, they were enlisted in the prestigious
UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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 Architecture
Famous Filipino
Architects
Architects alter the country by developing better and captivating structures and employing current and
foreign-influenced designs in residential and commercial constructions. Some of our famous architects
are:

1. Dolly Perez

The twenty-first century Filipino landscape architects are few and far between, but Dolly Perez was one in
the 1960s. She was regarded as the “Mother of Landscape Architecture.” She studied landscape
architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, and was “the first female landscape architect in the
Philippines.” She built high-profile public projects including Rizal Park, Bataan’s Dambana ng Kagitingan,
and the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

2. Francisco Maňosa (1931–2019)

He was an “outspoken advocate of indigenous architecture,” making Philippine architecture more popular
among Filipinos. Mañosa’s signature style dubbed Contemporary Tropical Filipino Architecture as a dizzying
combination of seemingly disparate components. Mañosa was named a National Artist in Architecture in
2009. Mañosa’s advocacy is reflected by the Coconut Palace at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
complex.
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 Architecture
Famous Filipino
Architects
3. Isabel Asuncion

In an industry characterized by alpha males, she has emerged as one of the industry’s most
powerful design masters, demonstrating a level of intellect and character strength that has
propelled her to the forefront of a battleground of technological ability and genetic distinctions. Her
work focuses on clubs, hotels, resorts, residential, institutional, and commercial projects for
customers in the Philippines, Thailand, China, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Her key projects are Discovery Shores Boracay Spa and De La Salle University’s Henry Sy, Sr. Hall.

4. Juan Nakpil (1899–1986)

He was the son of the Philippine Revolution soldiers who believed that architecture should
represent the culture and people of the Philippines. From the Manila Jockey Club and Quiapo
Church to the Mabini Shrine and government offices, Nakpil worked on dozens of structures around
the country. Despite his effort to create structures particularly for Filipinos, the public deemed
some of his ideas to be too extreme. He was named National Artist for Architecture in 1973 and
considered the “Father of Philippine Architecture.”

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 Architecture
Famous Filipino
Architects
5. Leandro Locsin (1928–1994)

Locsin was keen on adapting Western architectural norms to the needs of Filipinos. The Cultural Center
of the Philippines, a group of five buildings that exemplify the architect’s search for a vernacular form
of modernist architecture, is his most significant contribution to Filipino architecture. Within the
complex, the National Theater building is an excellent example of Locsin’s distinctive design. The
theater is modeled like traditional Filipino housing huts, although on a grander scale, Locsin’s
colleagues dubbed him as the “poet of space” because of his ability to make the most monolithic
materials look weightless. He also gracefully mixed Western brutalism with vernacular themes.

6. Liza Morales Crespo

She is in an effort to create environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional building processes in

hopes of combining great modern design with environmental sustainability. She earned a Bachelor of
Architecture degree and a Certificate in Building Technology from the University of the Philippines–
Diliman, Quezon City. She came in sixth place in the PRC Architecture Licensure (Board) Exam. Her
extraordinary works are the Parish of the Risen Christ and Public Safety Saving Loan and Association
Inc. building.

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 ACTIVITY
Directions: In the present time, enumerate five (5) different possible considerations or
reasons with regard to the architectural design used by Filipino architects.

ARCHITECTUR
AL DESIGN BUNG
USED BY
FILIPINO
A
ARCHITECTS

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 ANSWER KEY
(Suggested Answers)


Shelter

Available Materials

Climate

Budget

Creativity
BUNG
A

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