Architectural Timeline

in the
Philippines
• 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 to the Spanish
colonial period, the American Commonwealth period, and
the modern contemporary times.
Pre- Spanish Era
Our ancient Filipinos settled along the sheltered bays,
mouth rivers and most of these houses that were
constructed side by side along the riverbanks are
found in Cebu, Leyte, Panay, Cagayan to name a few.

PHOTO CREDIT TO http://pinoykollektor.blogspot.com

Pre- Spanish Era

Philippine architecture also comes

along with on what the climate is, the
nipa hut/bahaykubo was made of
Kugon (dried grass) as the roof and
most of its entire structure is supported
by bamboos.
Spanish Era
Bahay na Bato or Stone House is a type of
building that rose in popularity during the
Philippines’ Spanish Colonial period.
Basically, it is an updated version of the
Bahay Kubo. The home design of Bahay na
Bato maintains the concept behind Bahay
Kubo’s architecture, which addresses the
tropical climate, rainy season and
earthquake-prone environment, and then
fuses it with the style and culture influence
of Spanish colonizers and Chinese traders.
Old Colonial houses in Vigan
 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
Spain.
These were large houses built of stone and wood combining Filipino,
Spanish and Chinese style elements. The best-preserved examples of
these houses can be found in Vigan , Ilocos Sur and Taal, Batangas.
• The arrival of Spanish conquerors introduced the Antillean style of
architecture. This type of architecture is European (but originated from
Central America and not Spain) which was tweaked to suit the tropical
climate of the Philippines and thereafter, had its own Filipino and
unique character.
• 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).
Baroque Churches

• Baroque architecture was brought to the Philippines archipelago by the

Spanish, during the first years of the 16th century. This style developed
there during the 17th century and most of the 18th century. It was a
colonial architecture, so it took many references from Spanish Baroque
architecture and therefore we see some similarities between the
Philippine style and Baroque architecture of the Spanish colonies in
America.
• For a long time, Philippines was a Spanish colony, and the ideas brought by the
Spanish conquerors combined with local tradition, influences from China,
Muslim invasions, and a very seismic land. All that helped developed a
Baroque architecture like no other in the world. Let's find out more.
• The Baroque started in the early 17th century in Italy as a new artistic style
after the Renaissance. It was promoted by the Catholic Church to show its
power, in response to the Protestant Reformation, and it became known for its
abundance of ornaments and the combination of different arts. From Italy, the
new style quickly reached Spain, and from there it spread through Spain's
colonies, reaching the Americas and the Asian nation of the Philippines.
• The churches were fortified buildings, created to stand the constant
attacks and invasions from Muslim troops coming from the south.
During moments of turmoil, the churches served as protection, and the
bell towers were also constructed with the purpose of allowing military
defensive responses.
• After a strong earthquake in 1707, many buildings were damaged, so
new constructions were reinforced to withstand future seismic events.
The new structures had robust proportions, were strengthened by
massive buttresses, and were not as high— following a style like that
adopted in seismic zones in the Americas. The resulting style is often
referred to as Earthquake Baroque.
• In Philippine Baroque, we see the use of humble materials for the
exterior. Brick was used for most of the construction, and better
materials like stone were reserved for ornaments on the main
entrance facade and for the defensive towers.
PAOAY CHURCH

• Paoay Church’s construction began in 1604 and was completed

in 1710, its coral stone bell tower, standing at some distance from
the church, was finished in the second half of the 18th century. In
the Philippines bell towers were intended to be constructed at a
distance from the main church structure to avoid its falling on the
church during earthquakes.
• Being one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines,
Paoay Church has become a top tourist destination in the region.
Santa It has a separate bell tower
(characteristic of Philippine-Hispanic
Maria architecture) at the midpoint of the
nave wall.
Church
San Agustin Church in Manila

• The San Agustin

Church in Manila, also known as
The Church of the Immaculate
Conception of San Agustín was
the first church built on the
island of Luzon in 1571,
immediately after the Spanish
conquest of Manila.
Miagao Church
The Miagao Church, also known as the
Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, stands
on the highest point in the town
of Miagao, Iloilo. The church's towers served
as lookouts against Muslim raids and it is said
to be the finest surviving example of
'Fortress Baroque'
The first state university
used to be in Barasoain
Church

Before the University of the Philippines was

established, there was the Universidad
Cientifico-Literaria de Filipinas, which
was established by Emilio Aguinaldo by virtue
of a presidential decree issued in 1898.
 The UP Chapel is home
to works of four
National Artists
Constructed in the 1950s and it's the only
structure in the country to feature works of four
National Artists.
The dome-shaped chapel was planned and
designed by Leandro Locsin (named National Artist
for Architecture in 1990).
Fifteen murals depicting the stations of the cross
were painted by Vicente Manansala (named
National Artist for Visual Arts in 1981) on the
church's circular walls while the cross—which
depicts both suffering and a risen Christ—and the
marble altar are the handiworks of Napoleon
Abueva (named National Artist for Visual Arts in
1976).
The floor’s tilework was designed by Arturo R. Luz
(named National Artist for Visual Arts in 1997).
Philippine Architecture during
the American Colonial Period
• The impact of the Americans was not as immense as the Spanish colonial
era, as their grasp on the country was short and marred by international
affairs.
• In 1902 Judge William Howard Taft was appointed to head the Philippine
Commission to evaluate the needs of the new territory. Taft, who later
became the Philippines' first civilian Governor-General, decided that
Manila, the capital, should be a planned town. He hired as his architect
and city planner Daniel Hudson Burnham, who had built Union Station
and the post office in Washington. In Manila, Mr. Burnham had in mind a
long wide, tree-lined boulevard along the bay, beginning at a park area
dominated by a magnificent hotel.
Manila Central Post Office

• 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. Designed in the
most respectable manner, these
government houses
resembled Greek or Roman
architecture.
• Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila, five Art
Deco structures on the campus were designed by
National Artist Pablo Antonio. Three were built before
World War II and two, after. Although FEU buildings
were totally damaged during the war, the university
was restored to its original Art Deco design
immediately after. The university was given
a UNESCO Asia Pacific-Heritage Award for Cultural
Heritage in 2005 for the outstanding preservation of
its Art Deco structures
• Art Deco, movement in the decorative
arts and architecture that originated in
the 1920s and developed into a major
style in western Europe and
the United States during the 1930s. Its
name was derived from the Exposition
of Decorative art held in Paris in 1925,
where the style was first exhibited. Art
Deco design represented modernism
turned into fashion. Its products
included both individually crafted
luxury items and mass-produced
wares, but, in either case, the
intention was to create a sleek and
anti-traditional elegance that
symbolized wealth and sophistication.
The Metropolitan
Theatre
• is an art deco building designed by the
Filipino architect Juan M. de Guzman Arellano
and built in 1935. During the liberation of
Manila by the Americans in 1945, the theatre
was totally destroyed. After reconstruction by
the Americans it gradually fell into disuse in
the 1960’s. In the following decade it was
meticulously restored but again fell into decay.
Recently a bus station has been constructed at
the back of the theatre. The City of Manila is
planning a renovation of this once magnificent
building.
bungalow
• Another style that was introduced during the
American colonial period, bungalows are the most
common type of house in the Philippines. They are
described as low-rise homes sporting a pitched
roof and a horizontal shape. The roof is typically
made of galvanized iron, while the walls are made
of concrete. Bungalows have a yard, or garden, or
covered car port, if not all three.
• The bungalow is popular in urban areas, as it is
less expensive and easier to build than a multi-
story home. With caring for elders significant in
Filipino culture, it is ideal for with senior residents
who have an aversion for walking up and down
lengthy flights of steps.
Among the Colonizers of
the Philippines Japan has
the least contribution in
Architecture
Contemporary
Architecture
• Contemporary architecture is definable broadly as the building style
of the present day. However, examples do not necessarily have similar
or easily recognizable features because the style is varied and has
number of different influences.
• Contemporary started in 1920’s but gained its popularity in 1940’s.
Bonifacio Global City

• Fort Bonifacio Global City often

referred to as Fort BGC or simply The
Fort is located right next to Makati in
the city of Taguig and is an
absolutely amazing contemporary
development.