Architecture
Objectives
a. Define architecture
b. Describe the elements of Architecture
c. Differentiate the different periods of architecture
d. Familiarize the famous Architecture in the world
e. Identify the original Philippine architecture.
f. Appreciate the evolution of architecture
Architecture
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and other physical structures. A wider
definition often includes the design of the total built environment from the macro level of town
planning, urban design, and landscape architecture to the micro level of construction details
and, sometimes, furniture. The term “Architecture” is also used for the profession of providing
architectural services.
Architectural design is primarily driven by the holistically creative manipulation of mass, space,
volume, texture, light, shadow, materials, program, and Realistic elements such as cost,
construction and technology, in order to achieve an end which is aesthetic, functional and often
artistic. This distinguishes Architecture from engineering design, which is usually driven primarily
by the creative application of mathematical and scientific principles.
Interior Architecture bridges the practices of interior design and architecture so that
professionals working in the field have a structural and load bearing education with an emphasis
on interior spaces. The field is similar to architecture in that it deals with structures and load
bearing walls. It is similar to interior design in that it focuses on interior spaces.
There is no one-size-fits approach in architecture, each building project should respond to its
very unique context: site, climate, social, budget and materials.
Buildings also need to be able to age well, to adapt to changing requirements and have flexibility
to accommodate various uses. They also should be built sustainable, in both the materials that
they use during construction, and the energy resources that they require to function.
The Development of Architecture
The beginning of architechture must be placed within the Neolithic Age, the stone Age, which lasted
roughly from 8000 to 3000 BC. Before the Neolithic Age man used caves for shelter and most probably
for religious ceremonies.
One of the earliest pieces of sculpture is the Venus of Willendorf made between 30,000 and 25,000 BC
and found in Krem , Austria.
The development of Western Architecture can be divided into four formal periods:
1. Ancient world
2. Medieval period
3. Modern world
4. Contemporary world.
Architecture in the Ancient World can be categories into four(4) areas:
1. Architecture of Mesopotamia -Temple became the predominant building type of
Mesopotamia. Since there was not local supply of stone, mud bricks and fired bricks were the
principal building materials.
a. Sumerians-The typical building of Sumerians was the ziggurat. The architectural emphasis is
a centralized arrangement of the structure which has a vertical axis that conveys a sense of
stability and order.
b. Assyrians-The palace of King Sargon II stood as a representative of the Assyrian sculpture.
c. Neo Babylonians-The Ishtar-Gate in Babylon was built for King Nebuchadnezzar. This gate is
lined with several beasts done in brightly colored glazed bricks and dedicated to the goddess
Ishtar.
d. Persians-The Royal Palace at Persepolis is a representative of Persian Architecture. The
repetitive vertical line represented by columns and ceremonial figures is the overriding
elements of form displayed in the Royal Palace.
2. Architecture of Ancient Egypt in the valley of the Nile used readily available materials such as
seeds, papyrus and palm branch ribs. Timber and wood were utilized more than stone.Tombs,
pyramids and temple displayed these types of architecture.
3. Aegean and Ancient Greek Architecture is essentially columnar and trabeated. The columns
taper towards the top. The effect is a muscular-like human quality of the columns.
4. Etruscan and Ancient Roman Architecture. The Etruscan house was simple rectangular
structure which grew progressively more complex. The Etruscan temple was intended to
function primarily as an interior space. It was a place of shelter protected by the wide
overhang of its roof.
Architecture in Medieval World
The architectural form and style in this area are classified into:
1. Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture
2. Islamic Architecture
3. Carolingian, Ottonian, and Romanesque Architecture
4. Gothic Architecture.
Architecture in the Modern World is divided into Renaissance Architecture and Baroque Architecture
Architecture in the Contemporary World is characterized by the use of Industrial material especially
steel, glass and concrete deprived of ornamentation and assembled so as to form simple geometrical
volumes freely laid out in space.
History of Philippine Architecture
By: ARCHITECT MANUEL D. C. NOCHE
The history and culture of the Philippines are reflected in its architectural heritage, in the
dwellings of its various peoples, in churches and mosques, and in the buildings that
have risen in response to the demands of progress and the aspirations of the people.
Architecture in the Philippines today is the result of a natural growth enriched with
the absorption of varied influences. It developed from the pre-colonial influences of our
neighboring Malay brothers, continuing on to the Spanish colonial period, the American
Commonwealth period, and the modern contemporary times. As a result, the Philippines
has become an architectural melting pot– uniquely Filipino with a tinge of the occidental.
The late national hero for architecture, Leandro Locsin once said, that Philippine
Architecture is an elusive thing, because while it makes full use of modern technology, it
is a residue of the different overlays of foreign influences left in the Philippines over the
centuries: the early Malay culture and vestiges of earlier Hindu influences, the more
than 300 years of Spanish domination, the almost 50 years of American rule, the Arab
and Chinese influences through commerce and trade over the centuries. What resulted
may have been a hybrid, a totally new configuration which may include a remembrance
of the past, but transformed or framed in terms of its significance today.
The Philippine’s architectural landscape is a contrast among small traditional huts
built of wood, bamboo, nipa, grass, and other native materials; the massive Spanish
colonial churches, convents and fortifications, with their heavy “earthquake baroque”
style; the American mission style architecture as well as the buildings of commerce with
their modern 20th century styles; and today’s contemporary, albeit “modern mundane”
concrete structures of the cities.
Construction of rural native huts has changed little in the centuries. Design vary by
region, but common features include steep roof over a one-or-two room living area
raised on posts or stilts one to two meters above the ground or over shallow water.
Some huts have balconies. Floors may be of split bamboo to allow dirt and food scraps
to fall through to pigs and poultry. The space beneath the hut may be used for storage
or as a workshop; it also allows air to circulate andsafeguards against flooding, snakes,
and insects. As families become more affluent, they frequently replace the thatch roof
with galvanized iron which lasts longer but makes the house hotter and aesthetically
more mundane. The bahay-kubo (nipa hut) is a typical traditional house found in most
lowlands all over the Philippines. Originally built as a one-room dwelling, the nipa hut
changed as family needs become more diverse.Modern urban dwellings, on the other
hand, are typically two-story structures with a concrete ground floor, sides of brick,
concrete blocks, or wooden slats, and an iron roof. During the 19th century, wealthy
Filipinos built some fine houses, usually with solid stone foundations or brick lower
walls, and overhanging, wooden upper story with balustrades and kapis shell sliding
windows, and a tiled roof.
The Rizal house in Calamba, Laguna and the Luna house in Badoc, Ilocos Norte
are good examples. Vigan, Ilocos Sur as well as Taal in Batangas have the best
surviving Spanish quarters. The city of Manila, Ilo-ilo and Cebu also have some notable
old houses. Other areas of the country present different forms of tribal architecture as
compared to the low-land bahay kubo which is influenced greatly by culture, and in
some cases, climate and the environment. In the upland regions of the Cordillera
Mountains, the houses, though still using native materials, is a bit more secured. Where
the low-land bahay kubo is ventilated on all sides, the mountain huts, Bontoc, fayu;
Ifugao, bale; Kalinga, binayon; Kankanay, binangiyan, and others typify a more
insulated dwelling. The Maranao torogan, on the other hand, is designed for royalty and
thus built with much ornamentation and elaborate details. Being an isolated and wind-
frequented area, the Batanes Islands, exhibit the most different of all traditional
architecture in the Philippines. The Ivatan`s rakuh is built solidly on all sides, made of a
meter thick rubble work covered by thick thatch roofing to withstand gales which
frequent the area.
The arrival of the Spaniards in 1571 brought in Antillian architecture. Though not
specifically suited for the hot tropics, European architecture was transposed via
Acapulco, Mexico into a uniquely Filipino style. The style traces its roots from the
Antilles, in Central America rather than from mother Spain. The Christianization of the
islands created the need to establish religious structures to support the growing number
of religious organizations. Though they don’t compare with those seen in Europe or in
Latin America, Philippine colonial churches are unique in their own sense. Some of the
best preserved colonial churches in the country are found in the Ilocos Regions, as well
as those in the provinces of Laguna and Batangas, as well as the Visayan islands of
Panay, 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 erect massive structures that often took years, even decades to complete, that have
survived to the present.
In time, the friars’ task was taken over by Filipino and Chinese master-builders.
These craftsmen have sometimes left their native stamp in the decorative motifs:
tropical vegetation by Filipinos, lions and dragons by Chinese. The churches were built
with an adjacent convento (priest house and office: also served as school, tribunal,
prison and evacuation house during calamities), attached or detached belfry (as seen in
the Ilocos Region where the belfry was built a couple of meters away from the church
structure, this to anticipate a collapse of the belfry in times of earthquake) and walled
forecourt. The large three-story belfry, affording a good view of the surrounding land
and sea, were used as watchtowers for approaching enemies. Individual churches vary
in the amount and style of their interior and exterior decoration. Many have an ornately
carved facade and reredos, backdrop of the altar). Today, some churches are in their
original form, while others have been spoiled by tasteless renovation. Many churches
are the result of successive restoration and renovation projects which superimposes on
earlier foundations. The Spanish colonial period also brought with it military architecture
as seen in the fortifications they built all over the archipelago. Foremost of which
isIntramuros in Manila. Intramuros which literally means within the walls, is a defensive
network composed of raveling and bulwarks to protect the Spanish city from attack. It
also contains the foremost military outpost during the Spanish reign, Fort Santiago
named after Spain’s patron saint.
Commercial structures which developed only during the latter part of the Spanish
period evolved primarily from the typical Filipino noble house or the Bahay na Bato.
The Bahay na Bato is a derivation of the traditionalBahay Kubo with more sturdier
materials as the main form of construction. Using the same spatial arrangements of
the Bahay kubo, the Bahay na Bato continued the principle of open ventilation and
elevated apartments as that of its predecessor. The only difference being that
the Bahay na Bato, which translates as Stone House, is made in most cases of stone
instead of the more traditional bamboo. Other versions of the Bahay na Bato would be
constructed of a stone- or brick-supported lower level and a hard wooden upper level
covered by tiles or in later cases galvanized iron. The window of the house is unique in
architecture for it opens not just from mid-level but from floor to ceiling. This enables
tropical wind to circulate freely into the structure enabling the house to be ventilated
tropically. The upper level, or the piano noble of the house contains the most luxuriously
furnished apartments, this level overhangs the ground level which contains mostly
storage and carriage depots.
Other structures developed during the Spanish Period were schools and
hospitals (Ateneo Municipal, University of Santo Tomas, Colegio de Letran, Hospital de
San Juan de Dios). Though most often attached to the church, these structures
eventually developed into their own following the tropical baroque style of architecture
popular at the time.
The Philippine Revolution of 1887 led to the declaration of independence from
Spain. This, on the other hand, was superceded by the transfer of power from Spain to
the United States as part of the settlement entered by the Kingdom of Spain with the
United States after the Spanish-American war. The Americans came to the islands in
1898. With the arrival of the Americans came a new breed of architectural structures.
Foremost of the American contributions to the country was the establishment of civil
government. This led to the erection of government buildings from the city all the way to
the municipal level. Government houses dotted every community. Designed in the most
respectable manner, these government houses resembled Greek or roman temples
complete with porticoes and pediments.
The revival period, popular at the turn of the century, became the foremost
architectural parlance of the era as seen in such buildings as
the Government Post Office Building as well as the Legislative House. Education of the
masses also became the thrust of the American regime, as such, public education was
established, foremost of which is the University of the Philippines. With American rule
firmly established in the islands, the military government at the time invited the noted
Chicago architect and town planner Daniel Burnham to develop the city of Manila and
found a summer capital in the area of Baguio. Burnham’s arrival led to the formation of
the Burnham Plan which identifies the city of Manila as a uniquely European city in the
tropics and as such opposed to develop its architecture in line with the existing style.
The style of architecture, as suggested, varies little from existing architecture at the time
as typified by The Manila Hotel. New structures continued the use of conventional
motifs but were made of more durable materials such as concrete. This style of
architecture prevailed even after the turn of the century.
The eclectic style, a mixture of historic styles, also found its way in some of the
commercial establishments rising in the business district such as the Regina
Building along historic Escolta. The emergence of Art Nouveaualso gave some samples
in the central business districts (Uy-Chaco Building along Calle Rosario and Plaza
Cervantes) as well as in stately homes of the well to do (Casa de Ariston
Bautista in Calle Barbosa, Quiapo). By the mid 20`s to the eve of the second world
war, Art Deco became the bi-word for Philippine Architecture with works such as the
Metropolitan Theatre along Plaza Aroceros, Perez-Samanillo Building, Crystal Arcade
and Capitol theatre along Escolta, State and Avenue Theatre along Avenida Rizal, Lide
and Times Theatre along Quezon Boulevard and others.
The aftermath of the second world war left nothing but destruction in its wake, and
a time of rebuilding ensued. The modern era dawned on Philippine architecture using
the simple straight lines of the International Modern Style as a chief mode of
expression. By the 70`s a new form of Philippine architecture emerged with
the filipinization of architecture. The Filipino style found its way in the re-emergence of
traditional motifs,the bahay-kubo and the bahay na bato became popular forms to be
copied and modernized (Batasan Pambansa, BLISS Housing projects). By the 80`s the
country’s architectural idiom was swept by the tide of Post Modernism, a hearkening
back of some sort to the romance of classical architecture. Today, architecture in the
Philippines continue to be vibrant and with the country opening up to the world, more
first rate architecture is pouring in.
About the Author:
Manuel D. C. Noche took up masteral studies at the Bartlett School of Architecture &
Planning, London majoring in Environmental Design and Engineering. His love for
travelling and photography eventually led him to the doors of the country’s historic
churches, which he hopes to someday catalog in a book. He is currently the principal
architect for Art, Architecture, and Design.
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Famous Architectural Design in the world
1.Beijing National Stadium(Birds Nest)China
2. Eiffel Tower-Paris France
3. The Burj al Arab – Dubai
4. Parthenon – Athens, Greece
5. Angkor Wat – Cambodia
6. . Saint Peter’s Basilica – Vatican, Rome, Italy
7. Sydney Opera House
8. Colosseum
9. Kremlin -Russia
10. Empire State Building
11. Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur
12. Leaning Tower Pisa
13. Taj Mahal
14. Flatiron Building
15. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
16. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Activity
1. What is Architecture?
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2. What is the Authentic Filipino Architecture?
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3. Describe the modern Architecture.
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