HISTORY OF FILIPINO ARCHITECTURE

OVERVIEW

Understanding the roots of Philippine architecture is an interesting adventure as you revisit your
heritage and discover how the lives of Filipinos from different periods of our history were reflected
through structures of houses, churches, mosques, temples, government buildings, cultural centers and
many others. Just by reviewing our history as a nation, the Philippines is a melting pot of various
cultures not just from its Western colonizers but even from its neighbors in Asia even before the
Spaniards came. Our country’s history produced a conglomeration of architectural design which still
exists at present.

Pre Colonial

The earliest records of pre-colonial architecture in the Philippines are rock shelters and caves in
Palawan. Early Filipinos are nomadic since they are constantly in search for food through hunting or
fishing so they mainly rely on nature when creating shelter and do not need to build permanent
structures. With the development of tools, tent-like shelters and tree houses were also created to serve
as their abode. As farming became a stable source of food, the locals were accustomed to creating
permanent structures to serve as their home. The houses of the natives before the Spanish
colonization were predominantly rectangular in shape and built on stilts so it may be lifted and be
transported to a new site. Several factors also affect the type of materials and configuration of houses
such as the difference of climate and topography of numerous Filipino groups in different parts of the
country. For instance, there are variations when it comes to pre-Hispanic houses of those from
Ifugao, the bahay kubo (nipa hut) from the lowlands and the Maranao’s very intricate torogan house.
Beautifully designed mosques were also widespread in the Mindanao region as early as 14th and 15th
century due to the emergence of the Islamic religion even before the arrival of the conquistadores.

The Filipino bayanihan spirit is best exemplified in this painting by Carlos “Botong” Francisco where neighbors would help one

another to carry a nipa hut and move to another place. Source: filinvesthavila.com
 Spanish and Islamic era

The arrival of Spanish conquerors introduced the Antillean style of architecture. This type of
architecture is European (but originated from Central America and not Spain) which was tweaked to
suit the tropical climate of the Philippines and thereafter, had its own Filipino and unique
character. Aside from houses, Mother Spain also bestowed its influence on the architecture of
churches, the symbolism of its major endowment in the Philippines, Catholicism.

Antillean style of houses influenced by the Spanish colonizers in the Philippines. Source: archiandesigns.wordpress.com

The most glorious colonial churches are still standing firm and most of them are found in the Visayan
islands of Panay, Cebu and Bohol, Ilocos Regions, Southern Luzon particularly in Laguna and
Batangas. According to architectural experts, most of the colonial churches are Spanish or Mexican
baroque based on the evident elements. It is also notable that the construction of these churches was
mainly influenced by the environmental conditions of the country which would constantly experience
natural disasters (typhoon and earthquake) and human destruction as well (fire and attacks) during
that time.

The Miag-ao Church is a Roman catholic church located in Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines. The church’s over-all architectural style falls
under the Baroque Romanesque architectural style. Its ochre color is due to the materials used in constructing the church, adobe, egg,
coral and limestone. Source: commons.wikimedia.org
One thing that we must appreciate from these churches is how they were crafted with Asian Moorish
style and elements. It is not well-known that during the Spanish period, Chinese and Muslim
elements in architectural style became part of the Catholic Church structures. This is due to the fact
that mostly Filipinos are inexperienced with the construction of stone buildings. Master builders and
artisans who participated in the creation of the churches were Chinese and Muslims from the
South. Chinese influence are shown through red air-dried bricks which were produced from a
mixture of coral lime and/or loam and sugar cane juice and lion figures made of granite apparent in
front of San Agustin Church. On the other hand, Moorish and Islamic style is apparent in deeply
incised relief carvings of church facades and its interior. We learned from Philippine History that
there was obligatory construction work imposed on natives in non-Muslim areas during that period
but most of them involved cutting, transporting and processing the materials to build the churches.

Moorish carvings are very evident on this marvelous San Agustin Church door in Intramuros. Source: Photo by Min Yang from
flickr.com

Other styles used in this era:

Baroque- Baroque architecture is the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late 16th-century
Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and
theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church. It was characterized by new
explorations of form, light and shadow, and dramatic intensity. Common features of Baroque
architecture included gigantism of proportions; a large open central space where everyone could see
the altar; twisting columns, theatrical effects, including light coming from a cupola above; dramatic
interior effects created with bronze and gilding; clusters of sculpted angels and other figures high
overhead; and an extensive use of trompe-l'oeil, also called "quadratura," with painted architectural
details and figures on the walls and ceiling, to increase the dramatic and theatrical effect.

Example:

Paoay Church

The Paoay Church, also known as the Church of San Agustín, is located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It is
the most outstanding example in the Philippines of an Earthquake Baroque style architecture.
Fourteen buttresses are ranged along the lines of a giant volute supporting a smaller one and
surmounted by pyramidal finials. A pair of buttresses at the midpoint of each nave wall have
stairways for access to the roof. The lower part of the apse and most of the walls are constructed of
coral stone blocks, the upper levels being finished in brick, but this order is reversed on the facade.
The massive coral stone bell tower, which was added half a century after the church was completed,
stands at some distance from the church, again as a protection against damage during earthquakes.

Hispanic- Since the Spaniards brought Christianity to the islands, they created the need to establish
religious structures to support the growing number of religious organizations. Some of the best
preserved colonial churches in the country are found in the Ilocos Region, as well as those in the
provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Cebu and Bohol. These colonial churches were typically designed by
anonymous friar-architects and built between 1600 and 1750. Most were initially constructed with
bamboo and nipa, but the friars realized that to instill a sense of awe, as well as to caution against the
terrible menace of fire and earthquake, more grandiose buildings had to be erected. In spite of
technical and material limitations, they managed to build massive structures that often took years,
even decades to complete, that have survived to the present.

Example:

Bahay na bato

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, the colonial Filipino house, 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.
Mudejar Style

Mudejar architecture is a style of architecture developed by the Moors left in Christian Spain, yet
who did not convert to the Christian religion. This style developed from the 12th Century, right up
until the 16th Century, and even experienced a revival in the 20th Century by Spanish architect, Lluís
Domènech i Montaner.

Mudejar is best known for its extensive use of brick as the principal building material.

The La Insular Cigar & Cigarette Factory was a famous landmark in Binondo before
the war. The factory together with Hotel Oriente and other building in its surrounding was
ravaged by fire during the liberation of Manila in 1944. It is very unfortunate that this
important landmark was lost. Now the Metrobank Binondo building stood on the former
site of the factory.

Revivalism- Revivalism in architecture is the use of visual styles that consciously echo the style of a
previous architectural era.

Neogothic- Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic or Neo-Gothic) is an architectural

movement that began in the late 1740s in England. Its popularity grew rapidly in the early 19th
century, when increasingly serious and learned admirers of neo-Gothic styles sought to revive
medieval Gothic architecture, in contrast to the neoclassical styles prevalent at the time. Gothic
Revival draws features from the original Gothic style, including decorative patterns, finials,
scalloping, lancet windows, hood mouldings, and label stops.

Ex:
The Basílica Menor de San Sebastián, better known as San Sebastian Church, is a Roman
Catholic minor basilica in Manila, Philippines, and the seat of the Parish of San Sebastian

Neoromanesque- Romanesque Revival (or Neo-Romanesque) is a style of building employed

beginning in the mid-19th century[1] inspired by the 11th- and 12th-century Romanesque
architecture. Unlike the historic Romanesque style, however, Romanesque Revival buildings tended
to feature more simplified arches (semi-circular arches)and windows than their historic counterparts.

Examples:

Info:

“The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica (also known as the Cathedral-Basilica of the

Immaculate Conception and informally as Manila Cathedral) is a prominent Latin Rite Roman
Catholic basilica located in Manila, Philippines, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of the Philippines. Located in the Intramuros district of Manila
in the Philippines. Originally a parish church governed by the diocese of Mexico in 1571, it became a
separate diocese on February 6, 1579 upon the issuance of a Papal bull by Pope Gregory XIII.
 Going inside you will discover what this cathedral is hiding. If I was amazed seeing the Rose
Window, a goose bumps suddenly freaked me out, because what I’ve seen inside is a perfect picture
that can only be seen in drawings, sketches and by edited pictures. By looking at it I don’t want to
turn my eyes off. Really, I was conquered and fascinated by the view. Relating the interior of the
 cathedral to Romanesque, of course it is very Romanesque. There are cylindrical columns, paired
columns, quadripartite ribbed vaults and so much more.

Victorian

The term "Victorian architecture" actually refers to styles that emerged in the period between 1830
and 1910, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Gothic revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen
Anne, stick style, Romanesque style and shingle style. A style in Europe during the reign of Queen
Victoria in Great Britain (1837-1901) reviving and/ or combining the elements of Gothic and
Italianate styles such as; - steep gabled roof and dormers - cone-shaped turrets or square tower with
mansard roof - intricate or richly ornamented paneling, trusses, and braces - paneled exterior walling
with either horizontal, vertical, or diagonal design - and wide overhanging eaves with exposed rafters
ends

Siliman University Hall- The main building, restored in 2001 for the centennial of Silliman, houses
the University Museum. It is an excellent example of Victorian type architecture, noted for its use of
filigree cutouts, its carved brackets and the overall light and airy atmosphere of the building.
 American Colonial

The 1896 Philippine Revolution paved the way to the country’s independence from Spain. However,
it became a short-lived liberty when the Americans became the country’s new invaders. There was a
drastic change on the architectural design which was introduced by the Americans as they establish
the civil government. A lot of structures were built to serve as government buildings from cities to
municipalities. The design and style of the establishments were akin to Greek or Roman
constructions.

Famous American architects such as William Parsons and Edgar Bourne started the proto-modernist
way of designing constructions and they were commonly unadorned facades together with large
windows. Another prestigious master designer during that time was American architect and urban
planner Daniel Burnham. He was the one responsible for creating the master plans for Manila and
Baguio. His contributions to the local architecture together with Parsons were the Kahn system of
concrete reinforcements and the introduction of hollow blocks, the use of anti-termite hardwood and
the mass fabrication of building types.

American architecture influence in the Philippines can be classified in two types; the so-called first
generation Filipino architects who studied architecture and engineering in the United States who
were sponsored by the colonial masters and the Second generation architects who emerged in the late
1920s and 1930s.

The first generation exemplifies combined Beaux Arts elements with a touch of modernism
promoting the ideas of utility in architecture.
El Hogar Filipino is a beaux-arts building, designed by architect Senior Ramon and buikt by the Pasig River on Muelle dela Industria
street in Binondo. Source: renz15.wordpress.com

The defunct Manila Metropolitan Theater designed by Filipino architect Juan M. de Guzman Arellano. Source: viscounts.megashot.net

Other style of American colonial

Neoclassic- Neoclassical architecture, revival of Classical architecture during the 18th and early 19th
centuries. The movement concerned itself with the logic of entire Classical volumes, unlike Classical
revivalism (see Greek Revival), which tended to reuse Classical parts. Neoclassical architecture is
characterized by grandeur of scale, simplicity of geometric forms, Greek—especially Doric (see
order)—or Roman detail, dramatic use of columns, and a preference for blank walls.

Example:

Manila Post Office- The Manila Central Post Office is the central post office of the city of Manila,
Philippines. It is the head office of the Philippine Postal Corporation, and houses the country's main
mail sorting-distribution operations. Designed by Juan M. Arellano and Tomás Mapúa, the post
office building was built in neoclassical architecture in 1926.
Considered to be Juan Arellano's magnum opus, it was designed in the neoclassical style that
expressed order and balance. It was built in 1926 and was worth one million pesos. Fronting the
huge, rectangular volume are the 16 Ionic pillars lined that are lined up above the steps just before
entering the lobby.[5] The main body of the building is capped by a recessed rectangular attic storey
and flanked and buttressed by two semi-circular wings. Inside, the main lobby has subsidiary halls at
each end housed under the semi-circular spaces roofed with domes

Art Nouveau- Art Nouveau (/ˌɑːrt nuːˈvoʊ, ˌɑːr/; French: [aʁ nuvo]) is an international style of art,
architecture and applied art, especially the decorative arts, that was most popular between 1890 and
1910.[1] A reaction to the academic art of the 19th century, it was inspired by natural forms and
structures, particularly the curved lines of plants and flowers. Above all, you can identify Art Nouveau
by its graceful curving lines. Some structures seem almost organic, rising from the ground in swelling
and undulating forms. Lines stretch and then bend back on themselves to create a form sometimes
called a whiplash curve. Whiplash curves have become a hallmark of the style. Art Nouveau
structures are very influenced by nature, and you might see decorative schemes that incorporate
elements like leaves and vines, flowers, birds like swans and peacocks, and insects like dragonflies.
Some of the nature focus comes from the influence of Japanese Art, which was popular among
artists at the time and also prioritized line and a flattened sense of decorative space. You'll see Art
Nouveau buildings with bright, colorful ceramic tile work done in stylized floral patterns that cover flat
elements of surfaces.

Manila Metropolitan Theatre

The Manila Metropolitan Theater (Filipino: Tanghalang Pangkalakhan ng Maynila, or MET) is a

Philippine Art Deco building found near the Mehan Garden located on Padre Burgos Avenue corner
Arroceros Street, near the Manila Central Post Office. It was designed by architect Juan M. Arellano
and inaugurated on December 10, 1931.
Palladian- Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from and inspired by
the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580). That which is recognised as
Palladian architecture today is an evolution of Palladio's original concepts. Palladio's work was
strongly based on the symmetry, perspective and values of the formal classical temple architecture
of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. From the 17th century Palladio's interpretation of this classical
architecture was adapted as the style known as Palladianism. It continued to develop until the end of
the 18th century. Palladianism has roots in classicism, including column orders, but with
emphasis on understated grace and symmetry rather than on elaboration.
Cebu City Public Library and Information center traces its roots from the Cebu Branch Library of
the Philippine Library and Museum, now the National Library of the Philippines. It was organized and
opened to the public on April 13, 1919 by Mr. Guillermo Restun, the Chief Librarian from the Ilo-
ilo Branch. The province of Cebu took charge of the initial collection and other maintenance and
operating expenses. Since its establishment, the public library has been housed in many different
buildings until in 1938 an edifice was inaugurated for the library. The Rizal Memorial Library and
Museum became its permanent home. This entire three story building served as a fount of
knowledge among education conscious Cebuanos.

Mission Revival

The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a
colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early
19th century Spanish missions in California.
The Mission Revival movement enjoyed its greatest popularity between 1890 and 1915, in numerous
residential, commercial, and institutional structures – particularly schools and railroad depots – which
used this easily recognizable architectural style.[1] It evolved into and was subsumed by the more
articulated Spanish Colonial Revival Style, established in 1915 at the Panama–California
Exposition.[citation needed]
Mission Revival Characteristics
 Simple, smooth stucco or plaster siding
 Broad, overhanging eaves
 Exposed rafters
 Low-pitched hipped or gabled tile roof
 Roof parapets
 Large square pillars
 Twisted columns
 Arched entry and windows
 Covered walkways or arcades
 Round or quatrefoil window
 Restrained decorative elements of tile, iron, and wood
The best example of the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and California mission style is the
famed Manila Hotel designed by William E. Parsons and built in 1909. Other examples exist
throughout the country such as Gota de Leche, Paco Market, and thousands more, especially in the
churches and cathedrals throughout the country. The Manila Hotel is a 570-room, historic five-star
hotel located along Manila Bay in Manila, Philippines.[3] The hotel is the oldest premiere hotel in the
Philippines built in 1909 to rival Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the President of the
Philippines and was opened on the commemoration of American Independence on July 4, 1912.[
Italianate- The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history
of Classical architecture.
In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance
architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and Neoclassicism, were
synthesised with picturesque aesthetics.
Italianate A style which originated in Western Europe in circa 1840-1885 reviving the elements of the
Italian Renaissance Architecture of the 16th Century with - square cupolas or towers - elaborate
classical detailings - wide overhanging eaves with closely-spaced decorative brackets; - tall and
narrow square or arched windows - L-shaped plans - arcaded porches with balustrades - low-pitched
or flat roof

Example:

Malacañang Palace (officially Malacañan Palace, colloquially "Malacañang"; Filipino: Palasyo ng

Malakanyang, pronounced [paˈlɐ̞ʃo näŋ maläkɐˈɲäŋ]; Spanish: Palacio de
Malacañán, pronounced [paˈla.θjo ðe malakaˈɲan]) is the official residence and principal workplace of
the President of the Philippines located in the capital city of Manila. The Palace is in fact a complex
of buildings built largely in Spanish colonial and Neo-classicalstyle.

Art Deco- Art Deco, also called style moderne, movement in the decorative arts and
architecture that originated in the 1920s and developed into a major style in western Europe
and the United States during the 1930s. Its name was derived from the Exposition
Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, held in Paris in 1925, where the
style was first exhibited. Art Deco design represented modernism turned into fashion. Its
products included both individually crafted luxury items and mass-produced wares, but, in
either case, the intention was to create a sleek and antitraditional elegance that symbolized
wealth and sophistication. The distinguishing features of the style are simple, clean
shapes, often with a “streamlined” look; ornament that is geometric or stylized
from representational forms; and unusually varied, often expensive materials,
which frequently include man-made substances (plastics, especially Bakelite;
vita-glass; and ferroconcrete) in addition to natural ones (jade, silver, ivory,
obsidian, chrome, and rock crystal). Though Art Deco objects were rarely
mass-produced, the characteristic features of the style reflected admiration for
the modernity of the machine and for the inherent design qualities of machine-
made objects (e.g., relative simplicity, planarity, symmetry, and unvaried
repetition of elements).

Example:

Manila Metropolitan Theater[edit]

The Manila Metropolitan Theater is located on Padre Burgos Street, Ermita district adjacent to
the Mehan Garden. The theater was built in 1931 with an Art Deco design by architects Juan M.
Arellano and Otillio Arellano[citation needed] and could accommodate as many as 1,670 people. The theater
is endowed with bronze sculptures depicting female performers designed by Francesco Riccardo
Monti, a stained glass mural mounted above the main audience entrance, and relief woodcarvings of
Philippine plants found in the interior lobby made by Isabelo Tampingco. The theater was restored in
1978, but was again closed in 1996 due to lack support from the public and local officials.[1] Its east
wing is now used as an office space for government services.
Streamlined Moderne- Streamline Moderne, sometimes termed Art Moderne, is a late type of
the Art Decoarchitecture and graphic design/style that emerged in the 1930s. Its architectural style
emphasized curving forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements.[1]Moderne
architecture includes other subtypes besides Art Moderne / Streamline, it must be noted, such
as PWA Moderne.
The Daily Express Building, located on Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, England, is a Grade
II* listed building which was designed by engineer, Sir Owen Williams. It was built in 1939 to house
one of three Daily Express offices; the other two similar buildings are located
in London and Glasgow.

Modern era

During this period in Philippine history starting in the 60’s architects started to merge modernist style
with the use of traditional and local materials.

And in the 70’s Former first Lady Imelda Marcos popularized a national architectural style through
the regime’s ostentatious building projects using indigenous materials and icons.
 Designed by Francisco Manosa, former First Lady Imelda Marcos spent 37 million pesos to build Coconut Palace as a government
guest house and offered to Pope John Paul II during the Papal visit to the Philippines in 1981 but the Pope refused to stay there because
it was too opulent given the level of poverty in the Philippines. Source: Manosa & Company website

Other style examples:

Modern Expressionism

Expressionist architecture is an architectural movement in Europe during the first decades of the
20th century in parallel with the expressionist visual and performing arts that especially developed
and dominated in Germany. Brick Expressionism is a special variant of this movement in western
and northern Germany and in The Netherlands(Amsterdam School).

Expressionist architecture was individualistic and in many ways eschewed aesthetic dogma,[7] but it
is still useful to develop some criteria which defines it. Though containing a great variety and
differentiation, many points can be found as recurring in works of Expressionist architecture, and are
evident in some degree in each of its works.

1. Distortion of form for an emotional effect.[8]

2. Subordination of realism to symbolic or stylistic expression of inner experience.
3. An underlying effort at achieving the new, original, and visionary.
4. Profusion of works on paper, and models, with discovery and representations
of concepts more important than pragmatic finished products.
5. Often hybrid solutions, irreducible to a single concept.[9]
6. Themes of natural romantic phenomena, such as caves, mountains, lightning, crystal and
rock formations.[10] As such it is more mineral and elemental than florid and organic which
characterized its close contemporary art nouveau.
7. Uses creative potential of artisan craftsmanship.
8. Tendency more towards the gothic than the classical. Expressionist architecture also tends
more towards the romanesque and the rococo than the classical.
9. Though a movement in Europe, expressionism is as eastern as western. It draws as much
from Moorish, Islamic, Egyptian, and Indian art and architecture as from Roman or Greek.[11]
10. Conception of architecture as a work of art.[9]
International Style Architecture

The International Style is the name of a major architectural style that developed in the 1920s and
1930s and strongly related to Modernism and Modern architecture. It was first defined by Museum of
Modern Art curators Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson in 1932, based on works of
architecture from the 1920s.
It is defined by the Getty Research Institute as "the style of architecture that emerged in Holland,
France, and Germany after World War I and spread throughout the world, becoming the dominant
architectural style until the 1970s. The style is characterized by an emphasis on volume over mass,
the use of lightweight, mass-produced, industrial materials, rejection of all ornament and color,
repetitive modular forms, and the use of flat surfaces, typically alternating with areas of glass."[
Bungalow

A bungalow is a type of building, originally developed in the Bengal region in South Asia. The
meaning of the word bungalow varies internationally. Common features of many bungalows
include verandas and being low-rise. In Australia, the California bungalow associated with the United
States was popular after the First World War. In North America and the United Kingdom, a bungalow
today is a house, normally detached, that may contain a small loft. It is either single-story or has a
second story built into a sloping roof, usually with dormer windows (one-and-a-half stories).
Space Age

Googie is a modern (ultramodern, even) architectural style that helps us understand post-WWII American
futurism — an era thought of as a “golden age” of futurist design for many here in the year 2012. It’s a
style built on exaggeration; on dramatic angles; on plastic and steel and neon and wide-eyed technological
optimism. It draws inspiration from Space Age ideals and rocketship dreams. We find Googie at the 1964
New York World’s Fair, the Space Needle in Seattle, the mid-century design of
Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, in Arthur Radebaugh‘s postwar illustrations, and in countless coffee shops
and motels across the U.S.

Orientalism

Orientalism is a term that is used by art historians, literary and cultural studiesscholars for the
imitation or depiction of aspects in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and East Asian cultures (Eastern
cultures). These depictions are usually done by writers, designers and artists from the West. In
particular, Orientalist painting, depicting more specifically "the Middle East",[1] was one of the many
specialisms of 19th-century academic art, and the literature of Western countries took a similar
interest in Oriental themes.

Orientalism is a term that originated during the Age of Enlightenment by the West in order
to dominate over the East. They used the term orientalism to refer to the East as exotic and
foreign to their own beliefs and cultures. For the West, anything that was different from
theirs was in fact, inferior.

In contemporary times, orientalism has been used to refer to the alienation of something to
one’s self. We, Filipinos have been exposed to a variety of different cultures and being
colonized for over four hundred years, there is no denying the fact that even the way we
think has been influenced by our colonizers. Despite that, I do believe that we have
managed to keep a part of our identity intact.

If you look at our architecture, it may seem as if we basically copied foreign buildings or
styles and placed them on our lands. Even the way we categorize our architecture into parts
such as pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial or even into styles such as Spanish or
American houses may make us think in a very orientalist manner. But I think the reason
why we have ended up perceiving things this way is that growing up, our education has
shown us this mode of learning. And because of this, we have ended up giving the credit
that was originally ours to someone else.

Contemporary era

At present, the Philippines has embraced the tripartite decision of columnar architecture (Tower-on-
the-Podium) for skyscrapers. More micro-cities such as Rockwell Center and Fort Bonifacio Global
City are developing.

The Filipino architects nowadays are considered to be “late modernists” and eventually “neo-
modernists” or “super modernists”.
The Gramercy Residences was planned and designed by California-based architectural group Jerde Partnership International, in
collaboration with Philippine architectural firm Roger Villarosa Architects & Associates. Source: remaxasyenda.com

Modern commercial buildings are known for their unpredictability and orchestrated chaos exuding
the architecture of deconstruction vibe just like The Gramercy Residences.

The clamor to fight climate change has generated “green architecture” to minimize the negative
results of modernity and building high rise structures. The current trend is to improve efficiency of
constructed buildings while moderating the use of energy.

The Zuellig Building was designed by international architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, in cooperation with local
architectural firm W.V. Coscolluela & Associates. This high-rise commercial building is considered to be the most eco-friendly building
in the Philippines. It is certified at Platinum Level under the LEED program of the US Green Building Council Source:
skyscrapercity.com

Post modern classicism

Characterized by electiccism; a brash, diverse,humorous and colourful architectural style which

emerged as a reaction to the simple restrained architecture of the modern movement.

Examples:

Mall Architecture, Metrobank branches in the 1990s Jollibee

Neovernacular

Reinterprets the “vernacular”- indigenous folk, tribal,ethnic or traditional architecture ; uses modern
materials and processed indigenous materials

Ex: The works of Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa such as the Coconut Palace and the Shrine Mary,
Queen of peace , Our Lady of EDSA
The Coconut Palace, also known as Tahanang Pilipino (lit. Filipino Home), is a government
building located in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, in Manila, Philippines. It was the
official residence and the principal workplace of the Vice President of the Philippines during the term
of Jejomar Binay. The Coconut Palace is made of several types of
Philippine hardwood, coconut shells, and a specially engineered coconut lumber apparently known
as Imelda Madera.[3] Each of the suites on the second floor is named after a specific region of the
Philippines and displays some of the handicrafts these regions produce.[4] The palace is located on
F. Ma. Guerrero Street at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex between the Folk Arts
Theatre and the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel. Before becoming the official residence of the Vice
President, the palace was used for wedding receptions.[5]

Shrine of Mary Queen

The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA, or more popularly, the EDSA Shrine is
a small church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila located at the intersection of Ortigas
Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Barangay Ugong Norte, Quezon City. The
shrine is also called the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace or Mary, Queen of Peace
Quasi-Parish, although these names are seldom used. Built in 1989 originally to commemorate the
memories of the People Power Revolution and its peaceful outcome, the shrine stands on the site of
two peaceful demonstrations that toppled Philippine presidents Ferdinand Marcos (the People
Power Revolution or EDSA I) and Joseph Estrada (the EDSA Revolution of 2001 or EDSA II).

High-tech

Uses advanced technology and displays this technology in the structure; structures feature
shimmering facades of metallic surface treatments, exposed steel appendages, glass envelope,
aluminium cladding.

Ex. NAIA Terminal 3

Aquino) or NAIA /ˈnɑːijə/, formerly known and still commonly referred to as Manila International
Airport (IATA: MNL, ICAO: RPLL), is the airport serving Manila and its surrounding metropolitan
area. Located along the border between the cities of Pasayand Parañaque, about 7 kilometres
(4.3 mi) south of Manila proper and southwest of Makati, NAIA is the main international gateway for
travelers to the Philippines and serves as a hub for AirAsia Philippines, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, PAL
Express, and Philippine Airlines. It is managed by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), a
branch of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).[3]

Alternative Architecture

Uses recycled materials or alternative materials for construction

Ex. The “Rio Dome”: a dome house made of earth and a little bit of cement “Earthbag Construction
System” by Nader Khalili
SuperAdobe is a form of earth bag architecture developed by architect and CalEarth
founder Nader Khalili. Using long sandbags ("SuperAdobe Bags"), barbed wire, on-
site earth and a few tools, Khalili devised a revolutionary building system that
integrates traditional earth architecture with contemporary global safety
requirements, and passes severe earthquake code tests in California.

Deconstructivism

Characterized by fragmentation and disunity; structures look fragmented and disjointed , with
sections and walls colliding at odd angles; interiors have unusual sense of space.

Ex. The School of Design and Arts of the College of ST. Benilde

School of Design and Arts Campus[edit]

De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB, Benilde) is a private Catholic college in
the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. There are 3 campuses, one is along Taft Avenue,
with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue. The college is a
member institution of De La Salle Philippines, a network of 17 schools under the De La Salle
Brothers Philippine District.
The School of Design and Arts Campus (SDA Campus) is a 14-storey academic complex with
55,121.95 square metres (593,327.7 sq ft)[11] of usable floor space designed by Lor Calma Design
and Associates, with Eduardo Calma as the design principal. It was built on a 4,560 m² lot that was
formerly used as parking space for the college, located at 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, and about 500
meters away from the Taft Campus. It was originally planned to open in January 2006, but due to
construction delays, the opening was moved to May 2007. It is the third, the largest, and most
advanced campus of the college which houses its largest and busiest school, the School of Design
and Arts. While the exact budget for the building is classified, an estimated amount of 1.2 billion
pesos was said to be allotted for the whole building project.[25][26]
Green Architecture

Aims to create structures that have a low impact on the environment; uses new technologies and
natural materials.

Ex. Zuellig Building

The Zuellig Building is an office skyscraper located in the Makati Central Business Districtin Metro
Manila, Philippines and is one of buildings taller than 150 m in the area. It is owned by the Zuellig
Group and developed by its real estate arm, Bridgebury Realty Corp. It rises to 155 metres (508.53
feet), and was the first Platinum level LEED Core and Shell building in the Philippines upon its
completion in 2013.[3]
True enough, the evolution of Philippine architecture is a source of pride for Filipinos. Let us make
sure that we contribute in the preservation of our cultural heritage through the structures of the past
which will make us appreciate our identity as a nation.

Notable Filipino architects[edit]

 Leandro V. Locsin (1928–1994) was one of the modern architects who shaped the modern
Filipino Architecture. During his career, he built five churches, over 30 different buildings, over
70 residences, and major landmarks in the Philippines including the Cultural Center of the
Philippines.[36]
 Carlos A. Santos-Viola was an architect who built churches all over the Philippines.[37]
 Juan Carlos Eugene Soler is the only Filipino to win the prestigious Glass Architectural Design
Competition in Tokyo, Japan (2009).[38]
 Jaime Anthony N. Cruz a landscape architect who is currently based in China and the only one
Filipino to design for the World Garden Expo 3013 in Liaoning. He designed the Mabuhay
Islands in the said expo.