PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURAL

DEVELOPMENT

PREPARED BY: NOROL-IN O. SABACAN

 Pre-Hispanic Era

The earliest record of Pre-Hispanic architecture in the Philippines are caves and

rock shelters like the Tabon Cave in Palawan.  Various tools were later on

invented and then used in building tent-like shelters and tree houses.

These shelters were predominantly rectangular in shape with thatched roofs and

standing on stilts so that the whole structure may be lifted and transported to a

new site since early Filipinos constantly travel to look for food.

Spanish Colonial Era

The arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 1520’s introduced the Antillean style

architecture.  Originated from Central America, this type of architecture was

tweaked to tailor the tropical climate of the Philippines.

 American Colonial Era

Sponsored by colonial officials, the first generation Filipino architects namely

Arcadio Arellano and Tomas Arguelles, study architecture and engineering in the

US.  They combined Beaux Arts elements with a touch of modernism promoting

the concept of utility. The use of cubeta, or toilet via a pail conservancy system,

was introduced by the Americans in 1902.

Post-World War II Era

Philippine architecture adheres to modernism through the use of reinforced

concrete, steel, and glass.  Cubic forms, geometric shapes, and Cartesian grids

predominate the architecture while applied decoration is no longer present.

The third generation architects introduced the “form follows functions” which

utilizes reinforced concrete, steel, and glass.

 Late Twentieth Century

In the 1960’s, the country saw the merging of the modernist style with the use of

traditional and local materials and icons. In the 1970’s, former First Lady Imelda

Marcos implemented a national architectural style through the government’s

building projects. In 1973, an oil crisis gave birth to energy-efficient designs

called Tropical Regionalism.

The New Millennium

The Philippines, particularly the skyscrapers and micro-cities, embraced the

tripartite division of columnar architecture (Tower-on-the-Podium). Demonstrates

garish applications of pastel colors and the mixing and matching of ornaments

and styles.

Architecture of the Philippines

The architecture of the Philippines (Filipino: Arkitekturang Pilipino) reflects the

historical and cultural traditions in the country. Most prominent historic structures

in the archipelago are influenced by Austronesian, Chinese, Spanish,

and American architectures. During three hundred thirty years of Spanish

colonialization, the Philippine architecture was dominated by the Spanish

influences. The Augustinian friars, along with other religious orders, built many

grand churches and cathedrals all over the Philippine Islands. During this period

the traditional Filipino Bahay na bató (Filipino for "house of stone") style for the

large houses emerged. These were large houses built of stone and wood

combining Filipino, Spanish and Chinese style elements. After the Philippines

was ceded to the United States as a consequence of the Spanish–American

War in 1898, the architecture of the Philippines was dominated by American

aesthetics. In this period, the plan for the modern City of Manila was designed,

with many neoclassical architecture and art deco buildings by famous American

and Filipino architects. During World War II, large portions of Intramuros and

Manila were destroyed. Many heritage districts in the provinces were burned

down by the Japanese before the end of the war. In the reconstruction period

after the Second World War, many of the destroyed buildings were rebuilt,

however, a majority of heritage structures, especially in the provinces, were lost

and never rebuilt. Most of the structures that were lost are considered a focal

properties of former heritage towns.