Traditional Indigenous Materials

Prepared by:
Bachelor of Science in Architecture

National University-Baliwag
June 08, 2023

Instructor:

Building Technology I
I. Background of the Study

The Philippine history reflected the whole architectural style. As the years passed by, culture and
tradition keeps evolving from fashion to architecture. In Philippines, there is a lot of beautiful
traditional architecture you could see everywhere especially to the old places. The first known
Filipino home, Bahay Kubo, comes to mind more frequently than not when we discuss Filipino
architecture and housing. Bahay kubo is a little hut made of nipa, bamboo, and other indigenous
supplies. (Jullia Joson, 2022). This kind of house is one of the best example of the house that it is
made by indigenous materials. Despite the utilization of the development of the technology,
People in the Philippines find this type of house more comfortable and beautiful as it holds the
culture and tradition of Philippines.

As per according to David Danio Jr, Indigenous materials are the materials that is naturally can
be found somewhere inside the specific area, Most indigenous materials are generally discovered
in local places composed of different types of wood, canes, grass, and palms. You aren't required
to spend anything on it or struggle to get it; in terms of convenience, you don't need to employ
sophisticated transportation options. Additionally, native materials can be used in their
unprocessed, raw state without the need for expensive processing that depletes energy and other
resources.

In addition, Native materials have become generally regarded primarily for their aesthetically
pleasing characteristics over traditional urban buildings, with little consideration given to their
possible utility. A prime instance of those is Bahay kubo, a small house that was made with local
materials enhancing the beauty of the house and culture. As stated in the first paragraph,
indigenous materials are often utilized in construction. We find it fascinating to enter areas
constructed of ordinary bamboo poles or coconut wood because we are so used to being in
constructions made of concrete and glass.
II. Materials

Since the native materials are easy to find, it is easy to make these into something useful that can
contribute to the beauty of the architecture, to know what are the used of the aforementioned
materials, these are the examples of the indigenous materials that can be used in either exterior or
interior construction:

Bamboo- Bamboo is a common sustainable construction

materials that can be found here in the Philippines and even in
the other countries. The use of the bamboo is still relevant in
the use of the building construction particularly in the province,
this indigenous material not only can be used in exterior and
interior construction but this can as well used as a material for
furniture,
Decoration, etc. An emphasis on building homes with bamboo is emerging once more, in
addition to its adaptability in modern buildings for interior decoration. Homes made of the
material have been shown to be considerably safer than those made of concrete and steel in
withstanding adverse climate conditions.

Abaca- Abaca may be one of the many wicker furniture

designs that are currently accessible that many people
are not familiar with. One of the 35 fiber crops grown in
the nation is abaca, commonly referred to as Manila
hemp, which is regarded as the "strongest natural fiber
in the
World." (Jullia Joson, 2022). This material used to produce interior decorations such as chair,
hanging rope, screens, etc.
 Coconut shell- The quality and beauty of coconut shell laminates
are frequently compared to that of turquoise shells or ivory, but
more recently, we have additionally seen them employed as a
building material. In the Philippines, coconut husk fibers have been
utilized for more than a century to make ropes, nets, textiles, and
other tiny
Objects, albeit on a regional and small-scale basis. (Jullia Joson, 2022).

Rattan- A member of the palm family, rattan is

distributed all across the Philippines and is found in the
dipterocarp woods there. The material is solid wood with
a fibrous center. Its adaptability allows it to take on a
variety of lovely curved shapes, and its light, golden tint
can readily enliven a space indoors or outside. These
characteristics
Make rattan furniture appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use, particularly within Southeast
Asian climates.

Narra- In a luxurious home, a piece of furniture that is

Expertly made can make all the difference. Narra is a particular form of wood that is most
suitable as furniture for homes due to the country's extensive quantity of various types of wood.
Narra is revered as the nation's national tree, a fact that may not be known to non-natives.

Santol Wood- in the Philippines, santol, or cotton fruit, is abundant.

The santol fruit is suitable as a substitute for wood, which is
something that most people are unaware of. Although the material is
less dense than other types of wood, it is actually incredibly simple to
deal with. This wood can be used as a skeletal structure since it is
highly resistant to wood borers when properly cured.

Capiz shell- The Placuna placenta mollusk, which is indigenous to

Southeast Asian oceans, notably those off the coasts of Indonesia
and the Philippines, is the source of Capiz. The mollusks can be
harvested by fishermen for their meat because they are edible, and
by using their shells for crafts and décor, they can reduce waste.
Capiz shells is a great option for decoration as it balance the color
temperature of the interior of the building, additionally, the Capiz
shells usually utilize as a chandelier that is often see at the resorts
and hotels, in addition Capiz shells is also used in window that can
Be often see at the old houses founded in the Philippines.
 Coconut lumber- Coconut palm trees produce
coconut timber, a substitute for hardwood. It is
employed extensively as a form of timber and
scaffolding. Likewise graded and carefully chosen
coconut lumber is employed for siding, door jambs,
girders, trusses, and house supports.

Straw Bale- It is the dried branches of cereal plants

that remain after the grain and chaff have been
thoroughly taken. It accounts for nearly half of the
output of cereal crops like wheat, rye, rice, barley,
and oats. Additionally, it is also considered as a
construction materials that is employed as a
structural elements, building insulation, or both. Usually, straw
Bale can be found in the barn.

Mango Wood- Mango wood is well known by the fruit it

produce namely mango, mango wood is not widely
traded on the global timber market, on the other hand, its
heartwood is nevertheless widely utilized in India to
make less expensive furniture, some musical instruments,
flooring, plywood, turned objects, and more. Although its
wood is regarded as being of moderate quality, one of the key advantages of its production is its
rapid growth.

Mango wood is regarded as a hardwood given its hardness, density, appealing appearance, and
durability, which allow it to last for several decades without wearing out and maintain its
excellent luster texture. Due to its capabilities, it may now be used to create a variety of
household
Materials, including beds, tables, compartments, doors, and flooring.

Yakal Wood- Yakal is a durable, golden mahogany kind that

is utilized for surfaces and items that are often used. Suitable
for consumption outside as well. Our builders possess an
abundance of demand for Yakal lumber. In addition to being
Used for posts, it is frequently utilized for substantial building frames.

III. Advantages and Weaknesses

The mentioned materials has its own advantages and weaknesses which includes the following:

 Bamboo
o Strength- Bamboo is recognized for its resilience and tensile strength, which is
comparable to that of steel.
o Flexibility- Despite its durability, bamboo remains flexible, making it a perfect
material for building tasks requiring a certain amount of exchange.
 o Durable- Bamboo has a built-in resistance to rot, weather-related wear and tear,
and water damage which implies that even with minimal maintenance, it can
endure the environment and stay sturdy and resilient for a long time.
o It is sustainable material
o Can be found easily
o Bamboo is Flexible and Can Be Applied to Many Different Building Designs
o Be vulnerable to pest attacks
o Could not be as fire-resistant as the other materials

 Abaca
o Strongest plant fiber
o Strength
o Durable
o Flexibility
o Self-extinguishing
o Doesn't swell or
weaken when
submerged in water.
o prone to damage by
insects, molds, and
fungi

 Coconut shell
o Sustainable Material
o Environmental Friendly
Material
o lack of “resistance to fire”
 o Durable
o Strength

 Rattan
o Versatile and Durable
o Resilient
o Eco-Friendly
o Not ideal for any kind of
weather, and if subjected to
specific circumstances.
o It doesn't last long.

 Narra
o Exceptionally strong wood that
is rot-resistant
o Durable wood against decay
o Hard to find
o Expensive

 Santol Wood
o It becomes simple to work with and
polish
o Santol wood has a moderate density,
making it challenging for most sorts of
insects to infest it.
o This wood is extremely resistant to
wood borers when properly cured,
 making it perfect for use as skeleton
framework.
o Durable
o
 Capiz Shell
o sufficient strength to withstand both the
rain and the winds of a typhoon
o Aesthetically Pleasing
o Inexpensive
o Sustainable material
o Environmental Friendly
o Heat Resistant
o Easy to find

 Coconut Lumber

o Coconut wood is a versatile building material that may also be used for interior
design.
o Coconut timber is classified according to three degrees of density: High-
density timber (dermal) – hard: 600–900 kg/m3.
o High decay resistance
o Products made of coconut wood don't often endure very long when utilized in
weather-exposed places.
o It is prone to insect attacks
o Density of this wood are low so this coconut timber aren’t recommended in
exterior construction.

 Straw Bale
 o Highly insulative
o Low embodied energy
o They make use of an agricultural byproduct that is quickly expanding
and continuous but is otherwise discarded.
o Because of their excellent insulating value, they are less expensive to
heat and cool.
o In comparison to conventional materials, they have fewer toxins.
o Convenient
o Eco-Friendly
o Readily available
o Unconventional
o Space considerations
o Air ventilation problems

 Mango Wood
o Easy to find
o Durable hardwood
o The fact that its cultivation as a fruit tree, mango wood is
very ecological.
o Inexpensive
o Aesthetically pleasing
o It is comparable in hardness to North American
hardwoods like oak, with a Janka hardness value of 1,120
pounds-force.
o It is prone to dehydrate in dry conditions.
o Cracks can form relatively easily if it is exposed in heat.
o Wood is not rot resistant
o Discoloration
  Yakal Wood
o It is resilient to rot, termites, and other pests.
o It is ideal for high-traffic locations since it is highly resistant to rot, wear, and the
elements.

o It has a life expectancy of over 25 years.

o Durable

o Strength

o Sustainability

o Heavy weight

o Availability

IV. Use of the materials

The aforementioned materials each have their own benefits and drawbacks, making it feasible for
them to work well or poorly with the Philippine climate. The climate of the Philippines, which is
tropical and maritime, is well known. It is characterized by consistently warm temperatures, high
levels of humidity, and copious amounts of rain. It has a lot in common with the climates of
Central American countries. Temperature, humidity, and rainfall are the three main variables
influencing the nation's weather and climate, and they are discussed in more detail below
(pagasa). To make the structure last a long time and maintain its beauty, it is especially vital to
choose the compatible material.

According to Arch Daily, bamboo is a readily available native material that has been used for a
long time in the Philippines as support for houses like Bahay Kubo. It has been demonstrated
that the material's strength is comparable to that of steel and that it can be used inside a tropical
nation given its climate. For a construction grade quality that rivals cement block, steel, and
imported building materials, they coordinate the gathering and processing of bamboo poles. Its
goal is to promote bamboo as a strong, long-lasting building material so that all Filipinos can
live in better housing. Given that bamboo's strength is demonstrably equivalent to that of hard
materials, it can be employed as a building support. 

Narra, Mango wood, Coconut lumber as well as santol wood

provide a good quality to be a material to construction
within the aforementioned country. As stated at the advantages and weaknesses of the materials,
these woods provides strength and durability however not all of these are resistant to pesticides,
Narra is good to apply as a door since it is durable and rot resistance which is good in the
tropical countries. Santol wood on the other hand is ideally to be utilize in framework as it has a
moderate density, making it challenging for most sorts of insects to infest it. Mango wood here
in the Philippines is quite not suitable, the wood is suitable only in the wet conditions and not in
the dry places since there is a possibility that the wood would be dehydrated. Additionally, the
Wood Cracks can form relatively easily if it is exposed in heat, However if you insist to used it,
you may apply It as a cabinets, tables, etc. Coconut lumber, a common wooden material that can
be used in construction, due to the high decay resistance, it is ideally to use as a support in the
building such as post, trusses, etc.

In terms of furnishings, decor, and other items. Fantastic options include abaca, rattan, and Capiz
shell. Given that this country continues to accumulate large amounts of Capiz and other shell
waste, using Capiz shells as decorative elements instead of discarding them would be a great
alternative. Capiz shell chandeliers, windows, etc. would be excellent instances of this. We
cannot just control the rate of waste, but we can transform it into innovative decorative elements.
Apart from Capiz shells, rattan and abaca would make excellent furniture materials due to their
high quality. A naturally occurring plant that resembles a vine, rattan is utilized in wicker weaves
and is indigenous to tropical Australia, Asia, and Africa. The skin is pulled off for production use
and used for weaving. Given the state of the nation, this material is a wonderful choice for
producing furniture because it is adaptable, strong, and environmentally beneficial. The material
specified is known as abaca. Abaca is a vine-like plant, similar to the banana plant, utilized as an
accent feature in the creation of wicker-rattan furniture or can be weaved into actual furniture.

References

Brij. (2022). Mango wood Advantages and Disadvantages. TimberBlogger, 1.

Harisson, W. (2023). Yakal Hardwood: Good Mahogany Alternative? Hardwood-insider.

Joson, J. (2022). The Use of Indigenous and Locally Sourced Materials in Philippines
Architecture.
Arch Daily, 1-5.

Jr, D. D. (2016). What is Indigenous Materials? Makasining Artist club, 1.

Montenegro, V. (2021). Philippine indigenous materials are reinvented, reimagined, and

reengineered into standout pieces. Fameplus, 1.

Segovia, L. A. (2018). 6 popular indigenous materials used in the Filipino home. Homify, 1.