Philippine Vernacular Architecture: Pre-Hispanic Era

PHILIPPINE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
Vernacular Architecture
• Derived from the Latin "vernaculus",
meaning domestic, native, indigenous
• Folk, indigenous, tribal, ethnic and traditional
architecture
• Category of architecture based on local
needs and construction materials and
reflecting local traditions
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
• Rearranging the environment it becomes
architecture.
• Protection from animals tribe and natural
Calamities
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
THE FIVE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF VERNACULAR

ARCHITECTURE
1. The builders, whether artisans or those who

planning to live in the buildings, are non
professional architect or engineer
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

ARCHITECTURE
2. There is consonant adaptation, using natural

materials, to the geographical
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

ARCHITECTURE
2. There is consonant adaptation, using natural

materials, to the geographical
he na ura · ture brings s orms and r ell as hqua es and
vole., ic er , and ra hel plant ide us food to ea
and raw d fficul for people rv open.
s he elemen s of e.
, iii ines ,s pr' marily a trDp cal coun . Tht , ar,

sunny days and ra,ny da s. PfGple need tD adjtJSt o thl'
w 1nm bro~ht about by rains aoo also to~ ht t during
t su er stasan. People use a chittcture as a way tD
adlpt to th.angM In l "' d ht . One of lht I IT'IP Mt w.ay
Is to use somethillog o cover yo h ad,suth as an rella
C.1n you lm.1g lne no h.1v1 roof over yoor ad? W,
woold .1II be wet durlnlJ t r lny seasDn or bum d to a
u isp d r I f hDt s ason.
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

ARCHITECTURE
3. The actual process of construction involves

intuitive thinking, done without the use of
blueprints or any for construction drawings
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

ARCHITECTURE
4. There is balance between social/economic

functionality and aesthetic features
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

ARCHITECTURE
5. Architectural patterns and styles are subject

to a protracted evolution of traditional styles
specific to an ethnic domain.
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

ARCHITECTURE
5. Architectural patterns and styles are subject

to a protracted evolution of traditional styles
specific to an ethnic domain.
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
• Vernacular buildings also demonstrates the
achievements and limitations of early
technology.
• Utilizing technologies learned only through

tradition.
• Can address the most common of structural

problems with simplicity and logical
arrangement of elements.
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
Philippine Vernacular
architecture inspired the
invention of a new
structural system which
made possible the soaring
skyscrapers of Chicago
school
Structural logic and

architectonic principle:
steel-frame to replace the
Philippine wooden frame
construction of bahay
kubo
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
Philippine Vernacular
architecture inspired the
invention of a new
structural system which
made possible the
soaring skyscrapers of
Chicago school
Tectonic principle: iron

steel frame to replace
timber and bamboo
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
AUSTRONESIAN ANCESTRY
© 2013
,_
• Gutman' B. - anzati ,.
ew
........ ;
, uinea
Taiwan -.
IA Hawai
.•
IND/AN OC AN
-..
amoa
I
Tahiti
E IA · -.
Formosan -.. \ Fiji
Tonga L
~-D We tern M layo-Polyne I n Ea t •r
Central Malayo-Polynesian Island
Soesh He ImGui ra-

ea
} Eastern ,._. PACIFIC OCEAN
Meleyo- • .,I
Oce · Polynesian
• Southeast Asian culture descendants

• The term Austronesian peoples refers to a population
group present in Southeast Asia or Oceania who speak,
or had ancestors who spoke, one of the Austronesian
languages.
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
• Water born lifestyle
• Manifest vernacular Architecture
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
• In the Philippines, vernacular
architecture professes strong
allegiance to a greater
Austronesian Building Heritage
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
ARCHETYPAL
AUSTRONESIAN HOUSE
''Stilt Houses''
• An Austronesian
Legacy
• Raised Wooden
Structure
• Rectangular
• Structure
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
ARCHETYPAL
AUSTRONESIAN HOUSE
''Stilt Houses''
• Elevated Post
• Thatch Pitch Roof
with extended
ridges
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
ARCHETYPAL AUSTRONESIAN HOUSE
• Aquatic base of life
• Settlement has a direct connection to
bodies of water
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
ARCHETYPAL AUSTRONESIAN HOUSE
• Water is the means of transportation
• Communities are developed along
sheltered base and coastal areas
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
Baha}' Kubo
• Pure, Southeast asian type of domestic
architecture found in non-hispanized, non-
anglosaxon communities in the country
• House / tahanan / tirahan
• Cube House
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
Balai / Bahay
Archetypal Tropical Characteristic
1. Elevated living floor

2. Buoyant Rectangular volume
3. Raised pile foundation
4. Voluminous thatched roof
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
Balai / Bahay
Examples of South East Asian Houses
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
Balai / Bahay
Examples of South East Asian Houses
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
lh• lkJhoy Kubo is a thrH-loy ed

atructur• d lded Into th tollowlng:
_,
en
BUBUNGAN -
C
a :
LIJ
I-
Ar•o wher worm a ir s•s ond • its C
through h• shlngl••• thus c:oor ng
~
th houn
C
SALA LIJ
en
:,
Main multt•purpos• living sp<1 ce uHd
for alHpl g, •a ng. rtalnlng ond _,
>-
woitdng z:
C
SILONG
UHd os o s oroo• or•o. •nc:iOsur• lor
~
~
C
domutlc animals or wofttlng spac• for c..,
actwttlu I k• wooctwofttlng
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
BOTANIC BUILDING MATERIALS

• Timber
• Bamboo
• Thatch
• Fibers
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
BUILDING MATERIALS
~ . Ba boo loca ly no as a ayan, ca e ound in many
() par s o e P ilippi es. T ere a e abou 32 species ha
~ gro i e archipelago. Some o he co on species
::l include auayan ini (Bambusa lumeana) kauayan kiting
() (Bambusa vulgaris) bayog (Dendracalamus merriUianus},
>- and buho (Schizos achyum lumampao). Bamboo is a
g avored m erial used for s c res and b ildings. I is
used or e oor alls ceilings pos s, and o her smaller
par s o s rue ures. Bamboo is a e ible and resilien
ma erial able o bend hen s ro g inds blo or o sway
during an ear qua e.
Vernacular Structural Element

Buildings with pile or stilt foundations are a
pervasive feature not only in the mainland and
island southeast asia
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

FOUNDATION
• It is usually build with
wooden post as its
framework.
• It has several advantages in
a tropical climate. Especially
when settlement patterns
are mainly concentrated in
coastal, riverside, and
lakeshores
• Underfloor space often used
as pen for stabling domestic ~--·-',,",. . . . .
~Yr.
animals and as a place for

storage
• TWO OPTIONS: SUPERSEDED
PILE/STILTS OR ROLLERS
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
'
Q ;
01..\.. •
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

VOLUMINOUS THATCH ROOF
• The most distinctive feature
of the Austronesian
vernacular architectural
form is EXTENDED LINE OF
THE ROOF, often with
outward sloping gables
forming elegant
saddleback curves.
• Cases seen as pyramidal
• Grasses and palm leaves
are the most widely used
traditional materials.
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

CONSTRUCTION
TECHNIQUES
• Post and lintel method of
construction
• Walls and floors do not
constitutes a parts of the
main load-bearing elements
but may brace the structure
as a whole.
• Framing system consist of
vertical studs slotted into
horizontal sills
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
• Assembled without nails
• Tongue & grove mortise, tenon, lapped and notched
jointing system
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

CONSTRUCTION
TECHNIQUES
• Walls may consist of
matting, palm leaves
folded round a lath and
stiched together {banig)
• Plaited with bamboo
• As well as wooden boards
and panels depending on
the use and status of the
building
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
END OF
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
REGIONAL HOUSE TYPES
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
REGIONAL HOUSES
UPLAND and LOWLAND houses have

acquired distinct architectural features
because of difference of environmental
conditions and site contexts
Lowland Dwellings - Open, airy interior

Highlands - Sealed of solid planks, having
few or no windows as defense against the
cold upland climate
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
REGIONAL HOUSES
BATANES
''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''
hilippine
Batanes Islands
••
y
Bat n Island
South Chm S
S b ng I I nd
Oc n
ind
t•• Sulu
Sea
I
.....
.,
••
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
REGIONAL HOUSES
BATANES
''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

lvatan ldjang
Defensive Engineering of the Early lvatan settlers
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

lvatan ldjang
Defensive Engineering of the Early lvatan settlers
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

ABORIGINAL IVATAN - made up of wood,
bamboo and thatched
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

ABORIGINAL IVATAN - made up of wood,
bamboo and thatched
rahaung
An Jvatan structure used as a
working area and a place of
storage for fishing implements.
The structure does not have any
wall enclosure, exposing posts
that support the roof, and the
thick gable cogon roof, either
with or without gable wall, made
from cogon and reeds.
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE'' vuvong, lo r r ge co e r

s kong, ridg cover
A thic bundl of o on lai o
~:n·Jt.)bJJoO an O'r11 OiCri e d

supit1 r a
attared to the ndg and th . ....

roof beam to upport h thi k .. .. •·
and heavy co on rc, r of
p nganivucan, roo be m
· c of 6" 5•
mb r resting above t e
all of t e house o
port. the roofs rafters
..
tukah, ti b am
A 4 Hx6" pi ce of timber s~pawan, idge beam
w ith both of its ends • .. • ood beam a th r,d
connected by lap joints
to th roof beams to ...... .. .. - o he roof to suppo upp r
k p themfrom ends of the rafters.
pr ading.
paninjinan, w II tud
A 4" dia meter piece of log
v rtically la id in parallel with
the post to support the parey, corn r post pasunen, ing pos · jinjin, cogon a ll
lightweight cogon wall. Its ~ ve_rtrcal pi c_ of log, abou 7" A v · of piec Cogo grass waft securely ,e,d
lower end is buried about · 4 •· rn dram r, ,tuated at the i eter, s o he ofl studs.
underground and the upper nd corner of th hovse and buried if he
is fastened to the roof b am. at leos 1 .00 m deep to hold up ho o bear
th roof b ams. the roof
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

Dominican Friars
introduced the Cal y
Canto technique
• Stone and Mortar

Construction
• In row on the steep
terrain of mountain
hill slopes
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

Dominican Friars
introduced the Cal y
Canto technique
• A Fireplace was
built at one end of
the house.
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
Cogon grass
is the main
roofing
material
• Villages located on the slopes or peaks of hills

• Huts were low, partly because high structures would easily
toppled by the strong winds
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
Walls are made of
stones held
together by
FANGO, a mortar
formed by mixing
mud and cogon
• Batanes island did not possess enough timber resources nor

appropriate tools for larger construction
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
The 1th as many as
s1 lay ass.
hie e from
seepin o en
blan np ,
nd egs or
from
•PANPET- ROOF NET made of ropes fastened securely to the

ground by a strong pegs
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

RAKUH - 2 IVATAN HOUSE
STOREYIVATAN WINDOWLESS
HOUSE .-:::.-,,-- ~ ~ PART
ORIENTED TO
With 2 THE
windows and STORMINDS
door built on
- ~T-
three walls,
while the 4th
wall faces the
direction of
the strongest
wind.
• thick stone + mortar (limestone walls)
• reed, rattan, cogon or bamboo gable or hip roofs
• strong enough to withstand typhoons and earthquakes
• north - south orientation
• one windowless wall facing strong winds
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
Classified according to roof configuration
Maytuab (hip roof) & Sinadumparan (gable roof)
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
Sinadumparan Building Anatomy
atep, roo •····················! r,yan, eaves

The top covering of a \ The portion of the thick
Batanes house comprised : .. ·· · cogon roof that projects
of 4 -5 layers of a thick : ,· . ,: .., beyond the exterior ton
bundle of cogon grass : · masonry wa/l.
above reed matting and :
with wood spacers tied :
with each other. : . . .• ... · rakuh, main house
The living quarters of th
house for sleeping, working
and eating.
rihas, balustrade The lcusina (kitchen) ha a

rapuyan (stov ), tavuhen
The entire railing system (elevated wall for nativ jars),
composed of wood top rail, ·······► padagak (built-in cabinet),
decorative 6alusters and and dulang (low table) with
bottom rail. bangku (sma/l chairs).
ahbu, basement ···•• .......... . The tukah (tie beam) above

...... t • •
the stove, that connects the
The first floor of the house lower end of the rafters, is
used for storing jars, boats often used as paya (shelf or
and oth r hou hold shelves) for cooking
b longings or imp/ m nts. implements and firewood .
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

IVATAN HOUSE
Sinadumparan Building Anatomy
PRE-HISPANIC ERA
REGIONAL HOUSES
CORIDILLERA REGION
PRE-HISPANIC ERA

Philippine Vernacular Architecture: Pre-Hispanic Era

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PHILIPPINE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF VERNACULAR

1. The builders, whether artisans or those who

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF VERNACULAR

2. There is consonant adaptation, using natural

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF VERNACULAR

2. There is consonant adaptation, using natural

, iii ines ,s pr' marily a trDp cal coun . Tht , ar,

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF VERNACULAR

3. The actual process of construction involves

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF VERNACULAR

4. There is balance between social/economic

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF VERNACULAR

5. Architectural patterns and styles are subject

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF VERNACULAR

5. Architectural patterns and styles are subject

• Utilizing technologies learned only through

• Can address the most common of structural

Structural logic and

Tectonic principle: iron

Soesh He ImGui ra-

• Southeast Asian culture descendants

Archetypal Tropical Characteristic

1. Elevated living floor

lh• lkJhoy Kubo is a thrH-loy ed

BOTANIC BUILDING MATERIALS

Vernacular Structural Element

Vernacular Structural Element

animals and as a place for

Vernacular Structural Element

Vernacular Structural Element

Vernacular Structural Element

Vernacular Structural Element

Vernacular Structural Element

UPLAND and LOWLAND houses have

Lowland Dwellings - Open, airy interior

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE'' vuvong, lo r r ge co e r

~:n·Jt.)bJJoO an O'r11 OiCri e d

attared to the ndg and th . ....

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

• Stone and Mortar

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

• Villages located on the slopes or peaks of hills

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

• Batanes island did not possess enough timber resources nor

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

•PANPET- ROOF NET made of ropes fastened securely to the

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''

atep, roo •····················! r,yan, eaves

rihas, balustrade The lcusina (kitchen) ha a

ahbu, basement ···•• .......... . The tukah (tie beam) above

BATANES - ''IVATAN ARCHITECTURE''