TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND FINE ARTS

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

TOA2- Theory of Architecture 2022

Group 11. 2022

Kanlahi Pavilion

Rodney Renz S. Jacob | Khian M. Pineda | Charles A. Vernald

Context:

The pavilion is located in Maria Christina Park, Tarlac City a place just below the Tarlac
Capitol building. The park also hosts several activities designed for all. It is also good for people to
relax and recuperate stress by jogging and walking along its area. Along with its site, trees can be
seen around the park which can contribute to filtering carcinogenic chemicals (smoke) from vehicles
in its area. In addition to that, the site where the pavilion will be placed in an open area where heat
is difficult to escape.

Source: Google Maps

Location: 15.481039”N, 120.587585”E

Site Analysis:

Solar data for the specified location in the month of May:

Dawn 05:02:50
Sunrise 05:25:55
Culmination 11:54:53
Sunset 18:23:59
Dusk 18:47:05
Daylight Duration 12h 58m 4s
Distance [km] 151.584.264
Altitude -6.25°
Azimuth 65.74°
Shadow Length [m] n/a
 Source: Suncalc.org

Maria Christina Park, Tarlac City

Source: Captured by Khian Pineda
 Maria Christina Park, Tarlac City
Source: Captured by Khian Pineda

Maria Christina Park, Tarlac City

Source: Captured by Khian Pineda
Typology, Purpose, and Use:

A courtyard is proposed on the north and south side which will be the entrance of the pavilion
where sunlight is dimmer for the purpose of sun-shading. A gathering area is in the center of the
pavilion which can be turned into an event place/café in the evening. Bamboo is present in the
proposed pavilion which is a high-value crop and local material in the country. The material can be
seen in the walls which provide a latticework like Frida Escobedo’s Serpentine Pavilion. Cogon grass
or also known as “Ilib” is placed on the roofing of the pavilion which acts as sheltering unit. Ilib is
used on the renowned bamboo house “Bahay Kubo” because of its low-cost production and
sustainability wise. It was inspired by the Bamban Bridge. Bamban is known for its destinations
which are Goshen and Tarukan.

Bamban Bridge, Bamban

Source: Google
Goshen Resort, Bamban
Source: Google

Tarukan, Bamban
Source: Google
Design Concept:

The concept behind the pavilion was inspired by the famous bridge in Tarlac located in
Bamban. the pavilion constructed with the use of cladded bamboo which is the dominant material
that is used in the pavilion and since bamboo is a low-energy material that produces a purposeful
supply and health for humans that doesn’t affect the user’s health when they come inside. And the
roofing contained cogon grass that is able to absorb heat so that the air cooling effects inside will
flow thoroughly. The pavilion's materiality is useful in promoting sustainable use through its
availability in the province of Tarlac.
Sustainable Approach:
Frida Escobedo's Serpentine pavilion uses a 5 mm pool to reflect and provide interior
illumination, which contrasts with the site typology. Since the Kanlahi pavilion site is in the middle
of a town park, a 5mm pool may be possible inside the pavilion to apply. The light brought by the
sunlight may reflect into the pavilion's enclosed interior as a daylight element, the meeting and
events in a day may be convenient to the users’ experience of Kanlahi with a nipa (cogon grass)
concept.

The pavilion's materiality is useful also in sustainable use through its availability in the
province typology. Bamboo is an ideal green building material that uses as shelter and a foundation
element for different structures like temporary bridges, boats, and temporary stalls as part of
Tarlaquenos culture. Bamboo is also a low-energy material that produces a purposeful supply and
health for humans. Because of its lightweight, bamboo is less energy-intensive to transport than
many other materials of comparable durability. The Cogon grass blade is very resistant to fire
because of its thick, waxy coating. They can be placed on the roofs to cover the weak wood or tin to
provide an extra layer of defense against harmful environments like fire. Since, both Bamboo and
Cogon grass roofing are available, the pavilion enriches the passive cooling brought by these
materials to gain and contribute fresh air to the users.
 The heat in the cooling water is transferred to the air using cooling ponds. The trapezoidal
pool is a small reservoir with a wide surface area that can be used to remove heat from the water.

The structural system, Enclosure system, and Spatial system

Cladded Bamboo = Cradle of Races being unified
 Wall cladding is layering one material on top of another to form a skin layer over the walls.
Cladding is used to protect the walls and internal workings of a room or building from water damage
or to allow water leakage that could pose a hazard to people walking around inside the structure.
The pavilion showcases Frida's latticed walls by stacking the main material (roof tiles), as Kanlahi
Festival events are prior to their culture, the bamboo wall structure is flexible either rain or shine.
Since the Vierendeel Frames and pattern of Escobedo are horizontally stacked, The Kanlahi pavilion
was vertically arranged and compressed to raise the cradle of races.

Cogon Grass roofing

Cogon grass is easy to come by because it is a common weed that thrives in tropical climates
like the Philippines. Because thatched roofs provide excellent insulation, the pavilion keeps warm
when it rains and cool in day/summer. Furthermore, this excellent insulation allows you to save
money on heating and cooling. Durability. Thatched roofs are often sturdier and endure longer.
Because of its thick, waxy coating, the Cogon grass blade is extremely fire resistant. They can
be used to cover weak wood or tin on roofs to give an extra layer of protection against dangerous
situations such as fire.

The Philippines is a tropical climate. The use of cogon grass reflects the culture of
Kapampangan and Ilocano as a roofing material for their nipa hut and houses. The pavilion feels like
home as you enter, remembering the good old days when people use these materials for their
everyday life like handicrafts and their home. Since our houses today are mostly modern styles, the
pavilion marks a throwback to how elders use these materials as Tarlac are mixed races of Filipino
culture. Cogon and bamboo are common materials that all races and ethnic groups in Tarlac use in
complex ways.

Inspired by the Bamban bridge as a structural concept, the pavilion comprises cladded bamboo walls
that enclosed the space in the interior. The enclosure unified by wall planes brings people together
a meeting spot, introducing the Tarlac Culture, a simple but elegant bamboo structure that tends to
reminiscence and nourishes what brings them together; the Kanlahi Festival. The festival occurs on
the 1st day of March, the events in Maria Cristina Park will be a memorable experience, since the
pavilion only lasts for three months, moreover, the community may be grateful by using the space
with a traditional courtyard to see a natural bamboo and cogon ceiling as an adequate and interactive
space for meeting and talking.

The pavilion forms like a hexagon and a trapezoid shape to establish a space adjoining the
wall planes by triangles. The roof system is simplified by a rectangular cross-latticed cogon grass as a
sheltering element to the pavilion, especially as a stall place for cafes and events. The trapezoid space
contains 5mm deep water that reflects the interior space and gives users a comfortable light for
activities and events. Lighting will be used when the cafe is working at night shift that making the
pavilion acknowledge and function during the first festive month.
References:

15°28'51.7"N 120°35'15.3"E - Google Maps

SunCalc - sunrise, sunset, shadow length, solar eclipse, sun position, sun phase, sun height, sun calculator,
sun movement, map, sunlight phases, elevation, Photovoltaic system, Photovoltaic

NASA Clean Air Plants proven to eliminate toxic carcinogenic chemicals (edenvaleplants.com)

https://www.buensalidoarchitects.com/2015/10/use-of-indigenous-filipino-materials-and-methods-in-
building-green-homes/

http://ecop.pbworks.com/w/page/18520545/Cogon%20grass%20uses%200809

https://a-1roofingnow.com/what-is-thatch-roof-and-its-advantages-2021/