5 Historic Icons
By: Que, Klee Aeren B.
1 Ifugao Traditional Houses
First I would like to focus on the icon that struck me the most,
the Fale/Bale, a traditional Ifugao house.
This structure is made with good quality timber with layers of
cogon roofing. What struck me the most about the Fale/Bale
was its practical beauty. The stilted design, which prevents
flooding and provides ventilation, is a showcase on our
ancestors adaptation to the environment. It really shows the
knowledge and thoughtfulness of our ancestors. The design
can showcase the nomadic lifestyle of Filipinos in the past
because it can be dismantled and moved around. This is
actually already incorporated into our identity, we always
have portable icons such as dirty ice cream vendors, kwekwek
and fish ball vendors, and many more.
It plays a very big role in Philippine architecture because this
ancient architecture holds valuable lessons for modern
design, offering solutions that are both innovative and
respectful of our heritage. This includes the stilts, thatched
roofs, and the use of local materials that are easy to move. I
would definitely incorporate this icon into my designs as it
would be very cost efficient for people. It wouldn’t be a house
but more on a small structure where small groups of people
can come together to converse and enjoy their time together.
It also really brings out the identity of our country and would
serve as a great reminder to us all.
5 Historic Icons
By: Que, Klee Aeren B.
1 Ifugao Traditional Houses
First I would like to focus on the icon that struck me the most,
the Fale/Bale, a traditional Ifugao house.
This structure is made with good quality timber with layers of
cogon roofing. What struck me the most about the Fale/Bale
was its practical beauty. The stilted design, which prevents
flooding and provides ventilation, is a showcase on our
ancestors adaptation to the environment. It really shows the
knowledge and thoughtfulness of our ancestors. The design
can showcase the nomadic lifestyle of Filipinos in the past
because it can be dismantled and moved around. This is
actually already incorporated into our identity, we always
have portable icons such as dirty ice cream vendors, kwekwek
and fish ball vendors, and many more.
It plays a very big role in Philippine architecture because this
ancient architecture holds valuable lessons for modern
design, offering solutions that are both innovative and
respectful of our heritage. This includes the stilts, thatched
roofs, and the use of local materials that are easy to move. I
would definitely incorporate this icon into my designs as it
would be very cost efficient for people. It wouldn’t be a house
but more on a small structure where small groups of people
can come together to converse and enjoy their time together.
It also really brings out the identity of our country and would
serve as a great reminder to us all.
