HOA 4
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4
BY: ▐ PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE ARCH. JAYSON BRAZA PORTEM, UAP
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
• At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
• 1. Gain insights in the evolution of Philippine architecture; the local
• culture and traditions.
• 2. Appreciate heritage sites and structures in the country.
• 3. Make himself aware of the natural and built heritage through the
• conduct of research.
• 4. Understand the Filipino culture, their behavior and traditions and
• its effects on architectural space and design;
• 5. Apply the cultural methods for analyzing design concepts in
• relation to national development
COURSE OUTLINE/ TOPICS
• Philippine Architecture
• 2. Pre- Spanish period
• 3. Spanish period
• 4. American period
• 5. Post-war period
• 6. Conservation, Preservation and Restoration
• 6.1 Definitions and Objectives
• 6.2 Relevant Charters and Laws
• 6.3 Issues and Concerns
• 6.4 Applicable Case Studies (research – based)
• The architecture of the Philippines is a reflection of the history and heritage of
the country. The most prominent historic constructions in the archipelago are
from the Spanish Colonial period, though much Philippine architecture is also
influenced by Japanese, Malay, Hindu, Chinese, and American cultures.
• The pre-colonial architecture of the Philippines consisted of the Nipa hut made
from natural materials but there are some traces of large-scale construction before
the Spanish colonizers came but not well documented. An example of this is the
pre-colonial walled city of Maynilad although later after the Spanish
colonization, dismantled by the Spaniards and rebuilt as Intramuros. There are
also other minor precolonial walled cities like Betis and Macabebe.
During three hundred years of Spanish colonialization the philippine architecture was dominated by
the Spanish culture. During this period Intramurous, the walled city, of Manila, was built with its
walls, houses, churches and fortresses. The Augustinian friars built a large number of grand churches
all over the Philippine Islands. During this period the traditional Filipino "Bahay na Bato" style for the
large mansion emerged. These were large houses built of stone and wood combining Filipino, Spanish
and Chinese style elements. The best preserved examples of these houses can be found in Vigan ,
Ilocos Sur and Taal, Batangas.
At the end of the twentieth century modern architecture with straight lines and functional aspects was
introduced. During this period many of the older structures fell into decay. Early in the 21st Century a
revival of the respect for the traditional Filipino elements in the architecture returned.
PRE COLONIAL
Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the main form of dwelling for a family in the Philippines was the nipa hut, a
single room house composed of wood, bamboo or other native materials. Though the styles of the nipa hut varied
throughout the country, most all of them shared similar characteristics including having it raised slightly above
ground on stilts and a steep roof. Aside from nipa huts, other small houses were built on top of trees to prevent
animal as well as enemy attacks.
COLONIAL SPANISH
Spanish colonization introduced European architecture into the country. The influence of European architecture
and its style actually came via the Antilles through the Manila Galleon. The most lasting legacy of Spain in terms
of architecture was its colonial churches which were designed by anonymous friar
In this era, the nipa hut or Bahay Kubo gave way to the Bahay na Bato (stone house) and became the typical
house of noble Filipinos. The Bahay na Bato followed the nipa hut's arrangements such as open ventilation and
elevated apartments. The most obvious difference between the two houses would be the materials that was used to
build them. The Bahay na Bato was constructed out of brick and stone rather than the traditional bamboo
materials
Bahay na Bato The Bahay Na Bato, the Colonian Filipino House, is a mixture of
native Filipino, Spanish and Chinese influences. In Vigan, Ilocos Sur, excellently
preserved examples of the houses of the noble Filipinos can be admired. In Taal,
Batangas, the main street is still ligned with examples of the traditional Filipino
homes.
REFERENCES:
• References
• Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, vol. IIIPhilippine architecture
• Cultural Center of the Philippines; 1994
• Philippine Ancestral Houses; Zialcita, Fernando N. and Tinio, Martin I. Jr.;
• 1996
• Folk Architecture; Perez, Rodrigo III, et al; 1989
• Philippine Architecture in the Pre-Spanish and Spanish Period 2nd Ed.;
• Alarcon, Norma I.; 1998
• Angels In Stones: Churches of the Philippines; Galende, Pedro G. O.S.A.
• and Javellana, Rene S.J.; 1996
• Manila, My Manila; Joaquin, Nick
• Lugar; Villalon, Augusto; 2001
• Trails to Tropical Treasures: A Tour of ASEAN’s Cultural Heritage; World
• Monuments Fund US/ICOMOS; 1992
