TOA 102

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

Ar. Maria Villa Amparo Sarmiento

 VALUES
At times, people act according to seemingly instinctive
patterns; they do things intuitively for reasons that they
cannot readily explain. Everyone has basic and personal
values feelings, be they conscious or subconscious, tat act as
lifelong guiding forces. Often these forces, called VALUES,
keep you on a familiar course, which may be beneficial or
detrimental, when you are involved in decision making.
Values do change, particularly during different stages in the
life cycle stages. Values are long-lasting, and they are a
necessary psychological crutch foe all living things. Values
give us a framework within which we build our lives.
Basically, VALUES are of affective feelings that you, as an individual,
have. Values can be uniquely yours or they can be feelings
characteristics of the society to which you belong. They consist of
attitudes that you have developed personally or inherited. Values are
your own thoughts and responses. You may not even know that you
have them.

“VALUE” – defined
Webster defines value as “that which is desirable or worthy of esteem
for its own sake; thing or quality having intrinsic worth”. In the
sociological context “acts, customs, institution, etc. regarded in a
particular especially favorable way by a people, ethnic group, etc.
Values affect all of our Decisions, including:
How we think ----- and don’t think
Believe ----- and don’t believe
Act ----- and react
Do ----- and don’t do
We develop general “MORAL” values (example good vs.
evil, right vs. wrong) and more specific ones (example it
is wrong to kill, to steal, to tell a lie, to cheat, etc.)
“RELIGIOUS” Values (ex: the teachings of our particular
religion); “SOCIAL” and “CULTURAL” values (ex: respect
for parents, charity toward the poor); “AESTHETIC”
Values (ex: what is beautiful, artistic, pleasing to us);
and “PRACTICAL” Values (Ex; thrift, cleanliness)
While no two individuals have exactly the same set of values there are
many values which are common to particular groups, communities
and larger societies.
SOME HISTORICAL EXAMPLES:
1. ROMAN EMPIRE: With story values of order, organization and
discipline; a small city state was able to conquer most of then
known Western world. When these values were overshadowed or
supplemented by hedonism, intemperance, the empire simply
disintegrated, as much from within itself as from external factors.
2. AMERICAN SOCIETY: Materialism is their value, such a value has
contributed to a very high level of material prosperity for the
citizens of the United States. Looking at the other values which
have probably contributed just as significantly to such material
abundance. A commitment to freedom and free enterprise.
3. FILIPINOS -----Value of Hard Work -----
In the Philippines, our society is highly paternalistic,
where there is papa, mama, uncle and aunties, ninong
and ninangs, assorted relatives and friends to rely on,
we pull ourselves together in glorious self-reliance and
make it. And so while here in our country. Filipinos
tend to be lazy, corrupt, and inefficient. Yet when he is
transplanted he becomes highly productive,
competitive, hardworking, and law-abiding. In other
countries, he believes that hard work and study are the
only ways to go the economic ladder and be successful.
VALUES PREACHED VS. VALUES PRACTICED

Values as practiced, affect many aspects of our life, both

as individuals and as a community. Values and the
actions that flow them moral, social, and political and
economic consequences.
FOUR BASIC VALUES
1. INTEGRITY
2. DISCIPLINE
3. HARDWORK
4. JUSTICE
1. INTEGRITY – synonymous to honesty. It is
“the quality or state of being complete or
undivided.” A person with integrity is one
whose actions conform to his principles and
beliefs. He is not divided by internal
disharmony on conflict. Honesty, which is
fairness or straight towardness of conduct is
a form of integrity.
Examples of Dishonesty

a. Building materials being overpriced by the Hardware stores to give

commission to the purchaser or representative of the owner.
b. A transaction where the supplier has to downgrade, dilute, or reduce the
quantity of quality of the goods sold in order to provide for a
“commission” to the Owner’s representative. The consequences are
obvious. If the goods will be used to build roads, the roads will become
dilapidated and impassable in a relatively shorter time than planned for.
The economic consequences; faster depreciation of transportation
equipment; loss of productive man hours for people travelling on the
roads; added expenses and loss of income for business which use the
roads to transfer their goods.
This example also apply to construction of buildings wherein in interior
materials like wood, steel, incorrect mix of concrete, interior paints are
applied.
“institutional language” “more euphomistic”

1. “lagay” 1. “commissions”
2. “padulas”
3. “areglo” 2. “fees”
4. “kickback” 3. “rebates”
5. “under the table” 4. “discounts”
6. “for the boys” 5. “gifts”
c. In a transaction where a developer or
contractor is able to put up a big project which
are not really necessary such that a sizable.

Amount of investment made for the facilities

cannot be utilized at all. In other words,
“WHITE ELEPHANT”.
2. DISCIPLINE – As a value, discipline touches many
aspects of everyday life, and is closely related to
other desirable values. For example, the values
of COURTESY and FAIRNESS are involved when
we are called upon to practice discipline in
situations when we have to line up in public.
Also, how many times has a traffic jam been
caused by vehicles that are on the wrong side of
the road because their drivers cannot wait in
line?
Individual and national discipline is a multi-faceted value which is
difficult to discus exhaustively – but it is an essential element in
any society that intends to get anywhere.

Contrary Practices
1. “siksikan”
2. “singitan”
3. “unahan”

For instance, the strong discipline of the Japanese people has played a
key role in making their country an economic world power. To
the Japanese the good of the group evidently comes foremost,
and the good of the individual follows naturally.
In this event, the Filipino value or attitude which would be counter
productive to economic progress would be “kanya-kanya”
(everyone for himself). This affects society in many ways.
On the economic level, one glaring example is the widespread
abuse of our natural resources, such as the indiscriminate
destruction of our forests, whether by cutting down trees to clear
land, and the pollution of our seas and rivers. This lack of discipline
in our use of these resources will tell on our economy in the long
run. (In fact we are already suffering the consequences) – In terms
of environmental imbalance which leads to soil erosion, droughts,
floods and the accompanying destruction of crops, useful wildlife
and aquatic life, public, infrastructures and private property.
3. HARDWORK – It is a fact that many
Filipinos are hardworking. They are
willing to labor diligently and consistently
to earn a living and to improve their lot in
life. However; the traditional “WORK
ETHIC” suffers from lapses as a value in
our culture.
We still find great . Dependence on
“SUWERTE” or luck in our daily pursuits
and as a major determinant of our
success of failure. We still harbor hopes
of “HITTING THE JACKPOT” with one big
deal which will not entail to much work
on our part.
We still have the negative aspect of the “bahala na”
attitude; of learning tomorrow take care of itself
without much effort on our part, of leaving things to
chance without minimizing the odds against it.
And quite a number of us still have the tendency to be
content with “good enough” work, without making
that extra effort to achieve excellence. In the
competition of the market place, this spells the
difference between the mediore, run-of-the mill
product in great demand. “Puwede na yan” is the
attitude of those of us for whom excellence, one of
the rewards of hard work, is not a value.
Attitudes
1. “suwerte-suwerte”
2. “hitting the jackpot”
3. “bahala na”
4. “puwede na yan”
The economic implications if the lack of
commitment to hard work as a value are
many; lower productivity; lost business
opportunities; lower quality of products and
services; lack of market competitiveness;
waste of available resources; lower general
standard of living; more uneven distribution
of wealth; delayed economic development; a
heavier welfare burden on the state; and
many more.
4. JUSTICE – Synonyms are “fairness, objectivity,
impartiality; is a value which is universally
upheld. Nobody wants to be called unjust.
But how much stock do we put in such terms as
“nakaisa”, “nakalamang”, “nakalusot”. (made one
over somebody, and went set-free even an fault),
of actions or practices which lack the element of
fairness?
TERMS
1. “nakaisa”
2. “nakalamang”
3. “malakas”
What underserved benefits to the
“malakas” or (influenced ones) get that
are not available to the ordinary citizen?
Of the more privileges enjoyed by
“Haves” over the “have not's?
Suffice it to say that the less justice in a
society, the more discontent, agitation and
unrest in the various economic sectors,
farmers, businessmen, laborers. And it
can take many forms – unwillingness of
business to invest; labor strikes; lower
agricultural productivity. Lower
construction activities, instability of the
Financial system; and at the extreme and,
subversion, rebellion, succession.
THE SPIRIT OF THE TIME DESIGN VALUE

This design value is based on the conception that every age has a
certain spirit or set of shared attitudes that should be utilized when
designing. The Spirit of the Times denotes the intellectual and cultural
climate of a particular era, which can be linked to an experience of a
certain worldview, sense of taste, collective consciousness and
unconsciousness. Thus “form expression” which can be found, to some
extent in the “air” of a given time and each generation, should generate
an aesthetic style that expresses the uniqueness related to that time.
 THE STRUCTURAL, FUNCTIONAL AND MATERIAL
HONESTY DESIGN VALUE

Structural honesty is linked to the notion that a structure shall display

its “true” purpose and not be decorative etc. Functional honesty is
linked to the idea that a building or product form shall shaped on the
basis of its intended function, often known as “form follows function”.
Material honesty implies that materials should influence the form it is
used for. Thus, a material must not be used as a substitute for another
material as this subverts the materials “true” properties and it is
“cheating” the spectator.
 THE SIMPLICITY AND MINIMALISM DESIGN VALUE

The design value is based on the idea that simple forms, i.e. aesthetic
without considerable ornaments, simple geometry, smooth surfaces
etc., represents forms which are both truer to “real” art and represents
“folk” wisdom. This design value implies that the more cultivated a
person becomes, the more decoration disappears. In addition, it is
linked to the notion that simple forms will free people from the
everyday clutter, thus contribute to tranquility and restfulness.
 THE NATURE AND ORGANIC DESIGN VALUE

The design value on the idea that nature (i.e all sorts of living
organisms, numerical laws, etc.). I can provide inspiration, functional
clues and aesthetic forms that architects and industrial designers should
use a basis for designs. Designs bases on this value tend to be
characteristics by free-flowing curves, asymmetrical line and expressive
form. This design value can be summed up in “form follows function”
or “of the hill” as oppose to “on the hill”
 THE CLASSIC, TRADITIONAL AND VERNACULAR
AESTHETIC DESIGN VALUE

This value is based on a belief that a building and product should be

designed from timeless principles that transcend particular designers,
cultures and climates. Implicit in this design value is the notion that if
these forms are used; the public will appreciate a structure’s timeless
beauty and understand immediately how to use a given building or
product. This design value is also linked to regional differences i.e.
varying climate etc. and folklore cultures, which creates distinctive
aesthetical expressions.
 THE REGIONALISM DESIGN VALUE

This value is based on a belief that a building – and to some degree

products – should be designed in accordance with the particular
characteristics of a specific place. In addition, it is linked to the aim of
achieving visual harmony between a building and its surroundings, as
well as achieving continuity in a given area. In other words, it strives to
create a connection between past and present forms of building.
Finally, this value is also often related to preserving and creating
regional and national identity.
 SOCIAL DESIGN VALUES

Many architects and industrial designers have a strong motivation to

serve the public good and the needs of the user population. Moreover,
social awareness and social values within architecture and design
reflect, to some degree, the emphasis these values are given in society
at large.
 SOCIAL DESIGN VALUES

It should be noted that social values can have an aesthetic impact, but these
aspects will not be explored as the main aesthetical impact with other design
values. This type of conflict can manifest itself between different design
movements, but it can also be the cause of conflicts within a given design
movement. It can be argued that conflicts between social values and other
design values often represent the continuing debate between Rationalism
and Romanticism commonly found within architecture and industrial design.

The Social Design Values category consisting of four design values.

 THE SOCIAL CHANGE DESIGN VALUE

This design value can be described as a commitment to change society

for the better through architecture and industrial design. This design
value is closely connected and associated with political movements and
subsequent building programs. Architects and industrial designers that
are committed to the design value of social change often see their work
as a tool for transforming the built environment and those who live in it.
 THE CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION
DESIGN VALUE

This design value is based on a belief that it is beneficial to involve

stakeholders in the design process. This value is connected to a belief
that user involvement leads to:
1. Meeting social needs and an effective use of resources.
2. Influencing in the design process as well as awareness of the
consequences etc.
3. Providing relevant and up-to-date information for designers.
 THE CRIME PREVENTION DESIGN VALUE

The design value is based on the belief that the built environment can
be manipulated to reduce crime levels, which is attempted
accomplished through three main strategies that are:
1. Defensible space.
2. Crime prevention through environmental design.
3. Situational crime prevention.
 THE “THIRD WORLD” DESIGN VALUE

This is based on an eagerness to help developing countries through

architecture and design (i.e. a response to the needs of the poor and
destitute within the Third World). This design value implies that social
and economic circumstances found in the Third World necessitate the
development of special solutions, which are distinct from what the
same architects and industrial designers would recommend for the
developed world.
 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN VALUE
The 20th century has been marked by the re-emergence of
environmental values within Western societies.