UNIVERSITY OF CALOOCAN CITY

Biglang Awa St., Corner Catleya St., EDSA, Caloocan City

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

ART APPRECIATION/BECED
 

SUBJECT CODE: GEC 006

TOPIC OR LESSON: PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE
WEEK: Week 15
SUB-TOPIC/S: Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architecture Symmetry Art

OVERVIEW OF THE TOPIC

Architecture is the most functional of all art forms. The need to build structures may have
stemmed from a physiological need for shelter which by itself is deeply ingrained in the human psyche.
Before recorded history, the need had been answered with the aid of what nature has to offer. Caves,
trees, rock formations has served as temporary dwellings for man who continuously had to adapt to his
changing environment.

Archaeologists and anthropologists were tasked to give a comprehensive picture of man’s

evolutions in terms of how he was able to advance in the type of structures he built to protect and make
life convenient for him and his family. Through careful excavations, these experts were able to piece
together the great transitions and advances in architecture that continuously shape the heart and soul
of human civilization.

LEARNING
OUTCOMES

At the end of the period, the student must be able to:

a. Discuss the origin and development of Filipino architecture.

b. Enumerate the greatest architectural works in the Philippines.
c. Describe the symmetry in art
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES

At the end of the period, the students must be able to:

a. Realize the importance of using the right materials for the structures to be constructed.
b. Decide on the criteria to be considered in constructing a structure like a house or a school.
c. Reflect on the characteristics of the Philippine structures to withstand climate change.

ENGAGE

As soon as people learned to cultivate the land, they realized that their lifestyle of being hunters
and gatherers would not be enough to sustain their family’s basic necessities. So they decided that they
needed a permanent area in which to settle. Archaeologists discovered that early humans used as
materials what their immediate environment had to offer.

As civilization advanced, people realized that the structures that they built not only serve as
shelters but also be symbols of their identity, prosperity and power. So aside from the usual ideal
human dwellings, big structures made from the sturdiest materials were constructed to show the
strength and architectural ingenuity of a culture.

Search the Internet for pictures of structures in the Philippines. Choose one and answer the
following items concerning the structure:

NAME OF STRUCTURE:

LOCATION:

MATERIALS USED FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION:

ART ERA IT BELONGS TO:

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION USED:

FUNCTION OF THE STRUCTURE

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STRUCTURE:

 PICTURE OF THE STRUCTURE:

EXPLORE

For better understanding of Philippine architecture, let us have first a brief recall of Egyptian,
Greek and Roman architecture which influenced the architecture that was brought to us by the
Spaniards. Remember that the colonial masters brought to us the European style of architecture.

The post and lintel and construction is the most basic structure to be developed in the
beginnings of architecture. It is a structure that is made of two vertical stones that serve as support and
a third stone positioned horizontally across them creating an opening beneath. The famous Stonehenge
in England is a post and lintel construction. The massive stone blocks in this structure leaves no doubt
as to the strength and performance of stone. The use of stone for a post and lintel construction was
favored by the Egyptians and Greeks in the building of their monumental structures.

The largest history to be documented is that of the Egyptians. The Coptic culture dates way
back into the early years of human civilization. The richness of the country’s culture is not only
evidenced by the vast amount of artifacts discovered but also the lasting monuments of stone they built
as legacy of their advanced civilization.

Egyptians used mud bricks, limestone, sandstone and granite in large quantities. Egyptian
architecture is not focused on the small residential homes artisans built for themselves but on the
massive monumental structures they built for their belief in their gods and king. Egyptians believed in
the immortality of their god-kings. Their reverence for their pharaohs was shown on how they labored
to build structures during their rule and how carefully they entomb them after death. Egyptians also
made Pylons and Obelisks.

Greeks refined Egyptian architecture and these innovations, they made their own. They made
use of limestone for their pillars and walls, terra cotta tiles for roof and marble for ornamentations. The
pillars which were thicker and colorful were made thinner more formal by the Greeks. This
improvement resulted in pillars with better balance and proportion. The pillars with their decorative
tops (capitals) were further improved what now would identify were further improved into what now
would identify Greek architecture. The Doric, Ionic and Corinthian capitals became recognizable
features of Greek temples and public buildings. In addition, the classical type of Greek Architecture
were characterized by delicately fluted columns/pillars with shaped capital tops supporting vertical
lintels.

Another great innovation in architecture invented by the Greeks is the use of cement instead of
cement instead of mortar to piece stone together and hold it in place. Lime is the secret component
that binds sand, water and clay together. The Parthenon, the Temple of Athena, though now in ruins, is
a structure that commemorates the glory of Greek architecture.

Arch, Vault and Dome. Rome gave the world beautiful structures that can ever be conceived
from the use of stone. They used varieties of limestone, red granite, marble of all colors, basalt and tufo
to name a few. Romans also improved the components of cement by using ground volcanic lava instead
of clay. This improvement was said to the strongest mortar before the development of Portland cement.
Roman builders also added small fragments of volcanic rubble to their cement which resulted in
concrete. Examples are the Roman aqueducts, The Dome of St. Peter Basilica, the Hagia Sophia and the
Dome of the Rock.
The Roman Aqueducts The Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

Dome of the Pantheon (interior)

WOOD ARCHITECTURE.

 Wood is an architectural material that had shown a lot of promise in the conduction of
beautiful and practical structures. The versatility of the wood is seen in the use of this
material in sculpture and in architecture. Though not as strong and permanent as stone,
wood in architecture has made possible the construction of comfortable dwelling in all
shapes and sizes. Although the goal of all architecture is to build structures made to
last, wood has its limitation. Wood burns, it molds and rots in humid and wet climate
and it serves as food for some insects especially termites. Hence, it is important that
knowledge of the wood that would be used in construction is necessary to ensure that
the structure that is built will last.
 There are two types of wood: the hard wood and the soft wood. Some example of
hardwoods are ash, balsa, beech, chestnut, mahogany, maple, hickory and oak.

Soft woods are gymnosperms, and have uncovered seeds. Some of the popular examples are
cedar, cypress, fir, pine and hemlock. In the Philippines, among the wood used as construction materials
are; Kamagong, molave, narra, tanguile, yakal, mahogany, coco lumber and bamboo which is classified
as a grass.

The types of wood chosen would largely depend on how and where it will be used; the
availability of the material from the area and the budget allotted for the project. In reality, real lumber
is expensive and strict rules are being enforced to protect forests.

EXPLAIN

THE PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE

The Philippine architecture started with the use of them. It was the environment which altered
spaces on cliffs, hillsides that offered instant comfort for them. Most of the ethnic minorities such as
the Mangyan of Mindoro, Ilongot, Tingguin, and Igorots of Northern Luzon and the Manobos of
Mindanao have a common architectural designs. The floor of the ground was treated as their beds, roof
of cogon grass, while walls came from a tree bark. The Muslim ethnicities resides the Torogan (a huge
datu house) while people from Cordillera doesn’t have any window at all but of that serves as an
opening. For the Tagalogs, a “bahay kubo” is their prototype house.
 Bahay-kubo

Ivatan house in Batanes

Spain has stretched its glory to the Philippines in the 16 th century. During the early years,
Spaniards built cathedrals, churches and houses made from what the country can provide like bamboo,
woods and cogon grass. Soon these place for dwelling didn’t survive the time because of earthquakes
and fire. To strengthen those places, limestone was used (adobe), coral stone, bricks, mud with grass
and even egg yolks/whites. The Philippine Spanish inspired church falls under the baroque design, most
of them were described as a massive or plain box with flying buttresses that supports the walls. Each
church has its own bell that measures the town’s area, it is called “bajo de las campanas.”
 Manila Cathedral

A typical “bahay na bato” is a two-storey residential house. Normally ground floor serves as the
storage room for the goods or for the “karwahe” and the guests will be greeted by a grand staircase
which leads to the second floor. The kitchen, living and bedrooms are all there. Windows were made
from a capiz and gigantic openings can be seen so that the entire house will be properly ventilated.

Bahay na Bato

With the coming of the Americans, steel, concrete and glass were improvised to create
alterations to the cities buildings, churches and residences. Burnham developed the cities strategical
location as a center of commerce, government and leisure. Lawton as well as Baguio are good examples
of this brilliant master place by Daniel H. Burnham. Luckily there were some Filipinos who were able to
study on American schools and fashioned the contemporary style to Antonio Toledo, Tomas Mapua and
Juan Nakpil are the most sought architects at that time. The Philippines had an advance and modern
design at that time, only in Southeast Asia.

The end of World War ll, pulverized the entire Manila thus the cultural edifices and works were
seen kissing the grounds on is sad fate. The construction of the mad architectural designs has
challenged the modern architects to create a building enough for a tropical condition of the country, the
interrelation of outdoor to inner spaces and to maximize the space for gatherings with better circulation
of air. Modern offices such as commercial buildings, hotels, roads and highways and malls are now
springing in the urban jungle of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Greatest Works in Philippine Architecture

TYPE DESCRIPTION ARCHITECT/ORIGIN LOCATION

Betis Church Beautiful trompe lóell Augustinian Order Betis, Pampanga
and massive dome (1660-1770)
Venue for Performing Leandro Locsin Roxas Blvd. Pasay City
Cultural Center of the Arts and Exhibits (1969)
Philippines
Fort Santiago Enter of Spanish Miguel Lopez de Intramuros, Manila
government and Legaspi
power during the (1591)
1500’s
El Hogar Building Neoclassical three- Ramon Goyena and Binondo, Manila
storey building Francisco Munoz (1914)
Malacanang Palace Official residence of the Repaired by Don Juan San Miguel, Manila
Governor Grajals during 1847.
General/President The stone house was
built during 1796
Manila Cathedral Church of the Built during 1581 and Intramuros, Manila
Immaculate restored during 2012-
Concepcion 2014.
Manila Post Office Neoclassical reinforced- Juan Arellano Santa Cruz, Manila
concrete building (1930)
adorned with pillars
and large inner space.
Metropolitan Theatre Two-storey building for Juan Arellano Lawton, Manila
performing arts and (1931)
known for having art
deco
San Agustin Church Oldest Church in the Juan Macias, Luciano Intramuros, Manila
country Oliver (1607)
San Miguel Head Office Trapezoidal pyramid Jose Manuel, Francisco Ortigas Centre, Pasig
aligned with glass Manosa City
windows (1984)
San Sebastian Church The only steel church in Genaro Palacios Legarda St., Quiapo,
the country. Parts (1891) Manila
 were constructed in
Belgium, assembled in
Manila
UP Diliman Chapel Round Church Leandro Locsin Diliman, Quezon City
(1855-1947)
UST Main Building Four-storey building Roque Roano Sampaloc, Manila
which houses the (1923-1927)
museum and
auditorium
Miag-ao Church Declared as National 1786-1787 Miag-ao Ilo-ilo
World Heritage
Manila Hotel First big hotel during William Parsons, Luneta, Manila
American Occupation. Leandro Locsin
Mac Arthur stayed in (1912, renovated 1975)
this hotel

ELABORAT
E

SYMMETRY ART or and observation of SYMMETRICAL BALANCE. It is the near or exact matching of left
and right sides of a three-dimensional form or a two-dimensional composition.

Architects often employ symmetrical balance to give unity and formal grandeur to a building’s façade or
front side. For example in 1792, James Hoban won a competition for his DESIGN FOR THE PRESIDENT’S
HOUSE, a drawing of a symmetrical Georgina-style mansion. Today, we know it as the White House.

Symmetry is useful because it creates a powerful unity—even in large, complex buildings—setting them
apart from nearby structures. Symmetry tends to be visually inactive. We certainly want our important
buildings to seem motionless and stable. All the qualities that make symmetry desirable in architecture
make it generally less desirable in sculpture and two-dimensional art. Too much symmetry can be
boring. Although artist admire symmetry for its formal qualities they rarely employ it rigidly.

PICTURE OF TAJ MAHAL

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE. With asymmetrical balance, the two sides are not the same. Instead, various
visual phenomena are balanced—according to their visual and referential weights—around a felt or
implied center of gravity. Asymmetrical balance is far more difficult to achieve than symmetrical
balance, but it is more flexible, subtle and dynamic.

LET’S TRY THIS!

Answer intelligently with the end in mind of uplifting the international image of the Philippines in the
field of architecture but at the same time improving the quality of life for the Filipinos.

1. At the present global situation, describe the condition of the Philippine architecture in
comparison with our neighboring countries? What factors affect its status?
2. Of the government offices and buildings which Mayor Oca Malapitan has funded for the city,
which do you believed serves its purpose best? Explain :
(1)____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(2)____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

RUBRICS FOR REFLECTIVE THINKING

Skills 5 4 3 2 1
Depth of Demonstrates Demonstrate Demonstrate a Demonstrates Demonstrate
Reflection a conscious a thoughtful basic a limited little or no
and thorough understanding understanding understanding understanding
understandin of the subject of the subject of the subject of the subject
g of the matter. matter. matter. This matter. This
subject reflection reflection
matter. The needs revision. needs
reflection can recombine two
be used as an ideas, vision.
example to
other student.

Use of Use specific Use samples Use examples Use No examples

Textual and from the texts from the test to incomplete or from the text
Evidence convincing studied to support most Vaguely are used and
examples connections claims in your developed claims made in
from the texts between writing with examples to your own
studied to texts. Studied some only partially writing and
support to support Connections support claims are
claims in your claims in your Made between with the unsupported
own writing, own writing, texts. connections and irrelevant
making making with the To the topic at
 insightful and applicable medium they hand.
applicable connections used.
connections between
between texts.
texts.

EVALUATE

a. FROM the list of architectural works above, give one which you have personally visited
b. Get photo of it and place on the shape on the left and
c. And type five (5) adjectives that would describe it.

ADJECTIVES

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

‘’A DESIGN IS NOT FINISHED UNTIL SOMEONE IS USING IT.”

---BRENDA LAUREL---
 REFERENCES

Artforms by Duane Preble, Sarah Preble, Patrick Frank, Prentice Hall, 2002
Humanities, Arts & Society Handbound by UP College of Arts & Lectures, Q.C., 1998
Humanities by William J. Cabasaan, JImczyville Publicatiion, 2016
Art Sense: Sensing the Arts in the Everyday by Gary Devilles, Reayna Malquez, Rolando B. Tolentino
An Intellectual’s Visual Miscellany by Daniel P. Murphy Ph D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbhSbQf8cpM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbXzU2o-eSE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv5dgRyf9xU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LneCpKs_WvA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnuPMNSHSTA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrb7KXU9ZGk

Prepared by:

Prof. DECINA M. FRANCISCO, LPT Prof. ROWENA TUPAZ, LPT, MAED

Instructor III

Prof. GARRY MONTECILLO

Reviewed by:

DR. OFELIA F. DIZON, LPT, MA, ED.D. Dr. RODRIGO M. DANTAY

BECED, Program Coordinator, South BECED Program Coordinator, North

Recommending Approval;

Dr. RAMONA A. PRADO

Dean, COE