Evangelista, Kenaz Aron F.

2012-20126
Feb. 12, 2016

Architecture and Locality

Architecture is a mix of several fields of study. Math, physics, art, psychology,

sociology and history of design are only some of the building blocks that make up architecture. It

also is influenced strongly by designs coming from one country to another, innovations in

building and discovery of new materials, and of course, the locality in where the structure will be

built. With this, the article talks about the development of architecture in the Southeast Region,

particularly the wood-and-stone house.

The wood-and-stone house may be related to the Spanish but there really is more

to it. It is actually a mixture of culture, a relation in between the indigenous ways of building and

the Spanish influence. The Spanish houses of stone had to adjust to the setting of the Philippines

for it was susceptible to earthquakes and is generally not conducive in tropical climates. Taking

in consideration of who built the houses back then, which most probably are the natives and

Chinese craftsmen, then we can say that the wood-and-stone house is a Spanish-Chinese-

indigenous mixture. What became then was a traditional house on stilts, but built with wood and

stone. Features include wood carvings, capiz shells for windows, and an open floor plan in

relation to the kinship in the Philippines are also present in the house. Through the years, several

changes were made but again, it is still in response to the climate and weather conditions in the

country.
 What fascinates me about the article is how he tackles “southeast asia”. The

author makes it a point that the term is only coined by Western scholars. The usual definition of

the term is the Indianization, and thus cutting other influences and traditions. The author makes

an attempt to redefine Southeast Asia and based the unity of the region in three ways which are

the language family, the Great traditions and similar responses to common physical environment.

These three ways show a better understanding of the region instead of how it is usually presented

nowadays.

In relation to architecture, Southeast Asia is united in a sense that the houses

expressed great similarities. Most are houses on stilts. This unity then is caused by responses to

common environment. This example exemplifies the point that even though there are different

countries, and different Great traditions that influence these countries, there is an underlying

similarity that unites them and an existing root of architectural style is present. Architecture and

locality then is one way of actually uniting nations, or at least will serve as first step to greater

relations.