Considered as typical and common Filipino architecture and house design are the "bahay na bato" and the "bahay kubo". Despite their being made of different materials, their designs are quite similar : open ground floor, big windows, slatted floors or walls, and upper floor used as living area.
Regional architectures like those seen in Batanes, Mountain Province/Cordillera, Muslim Mindanao and other places are uncommon but still part of the diverse Philippine architectures.
The general design of typical Filipino houses is basically influenced by the hot and humid weather of the country. The open ground floors, slatted floors or walls and big windows are natural cooling systems which let air circulate in these houses.
Regional designs may also be influenced by other factors such as the regular typhoon season, earthquake, elevation and temperature or location e.g. coastal, on-water settlements .
But despite these typical and regional Philippine architectures and designs mentioned, there is not yet one singular design or look that may represent what one may call a distinctly "Filipino Architecture".
Maybe the Philippines is still a young country, and a young culture at that, and still is evolving and creating its uniquely Filipino look. Proof is the non existence of any pre-hispanic monuments or structures. Surviving old edifices and monuments are mostly Hispanic ones. Unlike its neighbors: Indonesia and Thailand, who are both very old cultures and have their own distinct architectures.
Because the Philippines was colonized by Spain for a very long time, its architectures and designs will always have Hispanic influence, much like Mexico. But despite the Hispanic influence on Mexico, it has a distinctly Mexican architecture that is fused with its native Indian/Aztec designs. But then again Mexico is an old and ancient culture.
Maybe the Philippines is still a young country, and a young culture at that, and still is evolving and creating its uniquely Filipino look. Proof is the non existence of any pre-hispanic monuments or structures. Surviving old edifices and monuments are mostly Hispanic ones. Unlike its neighbors: Indonesia and Thailand, who are both very old cultures and have their own distinct architectures.
Because the Philippines was colonized by Spain for a very long time, its architectures and designs will always have Hispanic influence, much like Mexico. But despite the Hispanic influence on Mexico, it has a distinctly Mexican architecture that is fused with its native Indian/Aztec designs. But then again Mexico is an old and ancient culture.
Defining that one singular and unique Filipino design or look is what is needed to have a distinctly Filipino architecture. It might be a fusion or combination of existing regional architectures, Hispanic-influenced or a new revolutionary design. But it must be distinctly Filipino, representing its people and culture : the Pinoy Architecture.
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| Bahay na Bato |
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| Bahay Kubo |
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| Batanes Stone Houses |
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| Igorot House |
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| The Coconut Palace in Manila |
Related Link :
Picture Sources :
Batanes Stone House:www.philstar.ecom
Coconut Palace :
www.wikipedia.org
Bahay Kubo :
http://www.pinoyflick.com/
Igorot House :
http://ayaysalidummay-photo.blogspot.com/
