Lyceum of the Philippines University

Cavite – Campus
DOA
COECSA
A.Y. 2020-2021

RESEARCH TITLE PROPOSAL (ARCH 401)

Research Methods of Architecture

AT-1-01

Proponent’s Name: MASCULINO, Learnce Oliver G.

Date of Submission: MAY 27, 2021; Thursday; 11:30

PROPONENT’S TITLE APPROVAL SHEET

PROPONENT’S PROPOSED TITLE / TITLE NUMBER:

#1. A Proposed Low-Cost Tiny House

For Low-Income Families
RATIONALE

Some Filipinos have a home. The vast majority of Filipinos do not own a home. The main
issue is that many Filipinos want to have their own livable and comfortable home but cannot
afford to do so because common houses or building a home in the Philippines is still
prohibitively expensive for low-income families. The purpose of this research is to reduce the
cost and construction cost of a house by designing a tiny but compact house for a single
family. As a result, in order to reduce the material cost of a tiny house, I am using the
materials used in Bahay Kubo and the Filipino Spanish Colonial House, which are made up of
half wood and half concrete, sawali or bamboo walls. Therefore, combining such materials
could lower the price of the materials that will be use on this project.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Building or Buying a house in the Philippines is naturally hard to attain particularly to those particular
family who are known as low-income. From the survey performed by Microdata of the Family income
and Expenditure Survey (FIES) PSA there are at least 8.4Million Households are counted as Low-
Income families, majority of them are renters, Many Filipinos from low-income households have
fantasized about buying a home.
Creating a more inexpensive but livable and compact house for low-income households, is a huge
support for them because it promotes a happier society. A house is more than just a structure. It is a
home—a house that houses, preserves, and nurtures those that live in it. It promotes their personal and
career growth while also providing a safe haven. Affordability of accommodation is not a gift. It is a
must. The middle class has been squeezed for years as the wealthy get wealthier and the poor get
poorer. Simultaneously, the cost of renting or purchasing accommodation has been unaffordable for
millions of Filipinos.

The one issue with designing a low-cost dwelling unit is the cost of the unit itself; many Filipinos,
particularly those from low-income families with monthly salaries ranging from PHP.19,000.00 to
PHP.10,000.00, are still unable to own or purchase a home in the Philippines. Even the government-
provided housing project is still prohibitively expensive for many low-income Filipinos. A P400,000
unit, for example, can be paid over a period of one year to thirty years. Those who choose to pay for their
units for three decades must pay P2,645.30 per month, while those who choose to pay for the unit for
one year must pay P34,673.67 per month. They must also be eligible to afford annual amortizations and
be part of the Pag-Ibig Fund.
One of the goals of this project is to reduce the material expense of a single unit to an acceptable level;
however, another issue is the materials that will be used; typical house materials available on the market
are somewhat costly, ranging from CHB to cement and reinforcements; thus, selecting a suitable but less
expensive material for a tiny house will be difficult.

RELATED PROJECTS OR LITERATURE

This Modern Tiny House Can Be Built in Just Four Hours

In recent years, tiny homes have become increasingly popular, and it's mainly due to their
affordability. Previously, we featured a couple who had built a 6sqm house in Cavite with only
P280,000!

The company designs and constructs modular bamboo homes that are less expensive compared to
traditionally built houses. "Modular homes are houses made away from the building site—typically in a
factory setting,” explains CEO and Co-founder of Cubo Modular Earl Forlales."Those prefabricated
components are then delivered to the site [for] assembly.”

Interestingly, these tiny houses can be set up in just four hours!

Home buyers can select their chosen Cubo unit on their website. Then, "we prepare your building site
with the help of one of our Cubo partner builders. And while they are preparing your foundation, your
septic tank, your water electricity lines, we’re already manufacturing your house here inside the
factory,” explains Earl. "That drastically lessens the building timeline because the house and the
foundation construction happen at the same time."

In an interview with Summit Media, Earl shares that they made it their mission to make sustainable,
affordable, and dignified housing for low-income Filipinos because "everyone deserves to have a place
that they can call their home.”

"Unfortunately, more than four million Filipino families—that’s roughly 20 million Filipinos—don’t
have a place to call home at the end of the day. Wala silang inuuwian,” he points out.

Almost like an upgraded bahay kubo, Cubo’s homes have a modern design with clean, minimalist
interiors.

Check out one of their compact models called Batanes (Standard), which only costs P149,000.
https://www.realliving.com.ph/home-tours/houses/tiny-house-cubo-modular-a00340-20210106

RESEARCH STRATEGY

These are the systematic strategies in conducting this architectural study to efficiently achieve the
architectural objectives and the desired outcome of the architectural thesis. This will serve as a guide for
the researcher not to lose track in conducting the study.

A . Gathering of Data
1 . Review of Related Literature
-this part shall provide related literatures that are relevant to the study. This will provide
additional information that will be significant to be able to meet the objectives of the
research.
a. Related Local Projects
b. Related International Projects
2. Review of Published and Unpublished Materials
-these are the written and printed documents that are relevant to the proposed project.
Guidelines and regulations from the local government are provided for the compliance of
such laws regulated within the vicinity.
a. Research Design
1. Library Research
2. Government Agencies and Organizations including Non-Government
Organizations
3. Design Standards
4. Governing Laws
5. World and Government Organizations (including Non-Government Organizations)
b. Research Instruments
1. The World Wide Web
2. Library Resources
3. Video Documentaries

B. Gathering of Data Analysis

1. Historical Research Method
 -to determine the needs to efficiently achieve the objectives of the proposed project during
the research. To understand more about the related past problems and event that happened
that may affect and help to improve the study.
2. Comparative Studies
-through interviews and comparative analysis of articles, documents, and information.
This will be done for the purpose of retrieving facts on how to make the whole project
unique and feasible in every aspect of its function and uses.

3. Site Selection
Using SWOT Analysis, positive and negative attributes of the sites shall be determined.
The site with more positive attributes would be selected.
a. Site Criterion
b. Site Inventory

TYPES OF DATA TO BE COLLECTED

The following data shown are the data’s to be collected during the whole process of researching and
studying the proposal:

1. Review of Related Projects:

a. International Projects
b. Local Projects
2. Review of Related Literatures:
a. International Literatures
b. Local Literatures
3. Governing Laws
Laws:
a. Presidential Decree No. 1096 or the National Building Code of the Philippines
b. Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or the Accessibility Law
c. Presidential Decree No. 1185 or the Fire Code of the Philippines
d. Presidential Decree No. 1152 or the Philippine Environmental Code
4. Design Standards
-to guide the proposal with different design standards.
a. Anthropometric Design Standards
b. Standards and Guidelines for the Design and Management of Animal Shelters and
Sanctuaries
c. Time-Saver Standards for Building Types
5. Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators Office / Comprehensive Land-Use Plan

Evaluation Result: __________ Approved ___________ Disapproved

By:
The Title Review Board

Member 1 Member 2 Chair

Signature over Printed Signature over Printed Signature over Printed
Name/Date Name/Date Name/Date