Architecture

Architecture

The concern of architecture has been the provision of shelter. The

outcome of this, however, depends on the availability of raw
materials and technical know-how of each particular age and
civilization.

In this lesson, you will encounter the different types of

architecture, the principles and systems architects use in their
construction and the unique architectural designs of Filipino
architects.

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Discuss the meaning and importance of architecture
2. Discuss the principles and systems used by architects in
construction
3. Identify the different types of architecture
4. Identify the architectural designs of the Filipino architects.

Architecture
Meaning and Importance of Architecture

Architecture is often considered the oldest and the most useful of

the fine arts, as in some respects it is a prerequisite for the other
arts.

Architecture is the art and science of building (Collier, 1995 as

cited by Lamucho et al). It is the science, art, or profession of
designing and constructing buildings or other structures either for
human shelter or for other purposes such as storage, production,
entertainment or exhibition. Famous works of architecture have
been identified as cultural symbols and also as works of art. Many
historical civilizations have also been made famous due to their
architectural uniqueness.

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Architecture

Elements of Architecture

The elements of visual arts were discussed in the previous lesson.

However, architecture, as one of the visual arts, has these
elements:

Line – delineates shapes. Architecture follows different forms and

shapes like geometric shapes – cylindrical, triangular, square,
circular etc.

Value – In architecture, value refers to the amount of light needed

to suit the purpose of the design.

Color – Paint is used to color the building and enhance the beauty
and attraction of the construction. However, natural beauty is
appealing.

Texture – refers to the perception of touch. The texture of marbles

and tiles differ with bricks, wood, concrete, of stone or wood.
Space is created by the position and the materials used by the
architect.

Visual Design Principles (Naomi Bolton)

Architecture is a visual design area so architects need to
acknowledge and implement visual principles to achieve aesthetic
success in their designs. The main visual design principles are
balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis and unity.

Balance creates visual stability---architects often use symmetrical

(also known as formal balance).

Proportion refers to relative sizes within structures, which is very

important in architecture. For instance, government buildings,
theaters and churches are often built to impress and dwarf the
viewer, while the proportions in a private home are usually more
according to human measure.

Rhythm is created through repetition of shapes within buildings.

Emphasis is achieved through contrast---many architects create a

focal point to their buildings to attract attention. An entrance is
often a focal point.

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Architecture

The principle of unity is defined in the way the building is

structured to create a visual harmony.

Fundamental principles of architecture

In the design of a building for a client, architects should be guided

by the following principles:

1. The building should be constructed to serve purposes specified

by the client.
2. The design should be constructible by known techniques and
with available labor and equipment, within an acceptable time.
3. The building should be capable of withstanding the elements
and normal usage for a period of time specified by the client.
4. Both inside and outside, the building should be visually
pleasing.
5. No part of the building should pose a hazard to the safety or
health of its occupants under normal usage and the building
should provide for safe evacuation or refuge in emergencies.
6. The building should provide the degree of shelter from the
elements and of control of the interior environment—air,
temperature, humidity, light, and acoustics — specified by the
client and not less than the minimums required for safety and
health of the occupants.
7. The building should be constructed to minimize adverse
impact on the environment.
8. Operation of the building should consume a minimum of
energy while permitting the structure to serve its purposes.
9. The sum of costs of construction, operation, maintenance,
repair, and anticipated future alterations should be kept within
the limit specified by the client.

Universal Principles of Design

These principles were established by a working group of

architects, product designers, engineers and environmental
design researchers for a wide range of design disciplines,
including environments and products. These universal principles
of design mainly focus on user-friendliness of designs, an aspect
which is very important in architecture. Architects also refer to
these as the principles for inclusive design.

Equitable use: a building should be useful to people with diverse

abilities and provide the same means of use for all users.

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Architecture

Flexibility in use: architectural structures should accommodate a

wide range of individual preferences and abilities; it should, for
instance, be user-friendly to both left and right-handed users.

Simple and intuitive use: building design has to be easy to

understand, regardless of the user's background, knowledge or
language skills.

Perceptible information: information necessary for use needs to

be communicated effectively to the user.

Tolerance for error: hazards and adverse consequences of

accidents should be minimized in architectural designs.

Low physical effort: people should be able to access different

parts of the building efficiently and comfortably with a minimum of
fatigue.

Size and space for use: appropriate size and space have to be
provided in buildings for approach, reach, manipulation and use
regardless of the user's body size, posture or mobility.

Structural materials

Construction materials are considered in the design of a structural

framework because of their ability to withstand external forces.

Brick is the oldest of all artificial building materials. It is classified

into three: face brick, common brick, and glazed brick. Face brick
is used on the exterior of a wall and varies in color, texture, and
mechanical perfection.

Structural clay tiles are burned-clay masonry units having interior

hollow spaces termed cells. Such tile is widely used because of its
strength, light weight, and insulating and fire-protection qualities.

Architectural terra-cotta is a burned-clay material used for

decorative purposes. The shapes are molded either by hand in
plaster-of-paris molds or by machine, using the stiff-mud process.

Building stones generally used are limestone, sandstone, granite,

and marble. Until the advent of steel and concrete, stone was the
most important building material. Its principal use now is as a
decorative material because of its beauty, dignity, and durability.

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Architecture

Concrete is a mixture of cement, mineral aggregate, and water,

which, if combined in proper proportions, form a plastic mixture
capable of being placed in forms and of hardening through the
hydration of the cement.

Different Principles or Systems Used by Architects in Construction

Post and Lintel. It makes use of vertical supports like walls,

columns or posts that hold horizontal beams or lintels above them.

Arch. This consists of several wedge-shaped blocks held together

by a key stone.

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Architecture

Dome. It is a hemispherical extension that forms part or all of the

roof or ceiling resembling an inverted cup.

Truss. This makes use of a braced framework of beams or bars

forming one or more triangles.

Cantilever. This is made of a structural part such as truss, a beam

or a slab that projects horizontally and anchored only at one end.

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Architecture

Types of Architecture

1. Egyptian Architecture. The pyramid of Egypt typifies the

monumental architecture of Egypt.
2. Greek Architecture is of three types; the Doric, the Ionic, and
the Corinthian. The Greek architecture is best exemplified in
the temples of gods and goddesses. Parthenon is a temple
dedicated to Athena (Goddess of Wisdom).
3. Roman Architecture is more elaborate than Greek architecture.
It is characterized by huge interiors and vast space to hold
enormous number of people. The classic scale of Roman
architecture is expressed in the Colosseum or Flavian
Amphitheater.
4. Byzantine Architecture is inspired by Roman architecture but it
is more colorful and luxurious. The Church of Hagia Sophia is
the greatest achievement of the luxurious construction built for
Emperor Justinian by Isidorus Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles
in A.D. 532-537.
5. Romanesque Architecture emphasizes the dome arch. The
Durham Cathedral makes this type of architecture prominent.
The famous German Romanesque church is the Cathedral of
Monreale. The famous Spanish Romanesque church is
Santiago de Compostela.
6. Gothic Architecture is known for the pointed arch. Its
expression is found in the church or the cathedral. Gothic
churches were filled with illuminated manuscripts, rich
tapestries, and stained glass windows. Cathedral of Notre
dame at Chartres, acclaimed as the Glory of the Middle Ages;
Salisbury Cathedral as a leading example of Early English or
Lancelot gothic; Cathedral of Siena by Giovann Pisano, as a
rare example of Italian gothic.
7. Renaissance Architecture is characterized by the revival of
classic antiquity merged with Greek and Roman culture. Rome
was the center of Renaissance architecture and the greatest
architect was Bramante. Tempieto Nel Chiotro was a famous
work of Bramante.
8. Modern Architecture combined old and the new ones that
brought forth new constructions. Structural materials such as
steel, reinforced concrete, and glass in large sheets, plastic,
fabricated and prefabricated materials were used. Crystal
Palace built by Joseph Paxton was the world’s first
prefabricated building. It is also the prototype of today’s steel
selection and glass skyscrapers.

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Architecture

9. Philippine Architecture is ethnic which is pure and not

blemished by modernization. It is made of simple dwellings
that serve as protection from the rain, typhoons, and storms.

These are some of the Philippine ethnic designs:

Lean-to is improvised type of dwelling that uses two bamboo posts

and a roof of leaves and grasses.

The Bale. The Ifugaos from the Cordilleras developed this hut, built
near the rice field. It is roofed with thick bundles of grass and the
posts were made from hard, strong and cylindrical wood.

Walay. It is a dwelling place of the Maranaos. It is wider and is

built on nine to twelve posts with a stiff roof.

The torogan is the biggest house in the community. It is a royal

house, a symbol of high status in the community.

Tree house. It is the answer to places often visited by floods. Its

entrance is made of bamboo or rattan ladder drawn up at night to
prevent intruders from entering. Some Ilongots, Manobos and the
Gaddangs still lodge in tree houses.

Nipa hut or bahay kubo is the expression of Filipino folk

architecture. It is made of cogongrass or nipa with four bamboo
posts and a roof made of cogon grass, rice stalks, sugar cane
leaves, abaca or anahaw leaves, the floor is made of split-bamboo
and the wall is of sawali woven bamboo, or nipa or cogon leaves.

Bahay na bato is the typical 19th century dwelling of well-off

families. It is also called bahay na tisa. It is made up of two or
three stories where the ground floor is made of stone while the
upper portion is made of wood. The windows are made of
barandillas or balusters and sliding window frames. The balcony is
a special feature of the bahay na bato.

Apartment is a development of the bahay na bato, It is a building

with several units constructed in the urban and thickly populated
areas in the metropolis.

Condominiums overtook the apartments.

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Architecture

Bungalow is a response to the growing population in the urban

areas also. It serves as a model of the housing project of the
government. It is one-storey house with a small living room,
bedroom, kitchen-dining room and a bathroom.

Other forms of architecture are expressed in churches and

cathedral.

One of the famous cathedrals is the Manila Cathedral, a

Romanesque Byzantine inspired architecture; the school buildings,
colleges and universities (University of Santo Tomas)

Prominent Filipino Architects and their Works:

Leandro Locsin – 1990 National Artist for Architecture

 designed the Cultural Center of the Philippines
 Ocular Chapel, now church of the Holy Sacrifice at the
University of the Philippines

Andres Luna de San Pedro – chief architect of Manila (1920-

1924)
 built the Crystal Arcade, the most modern building in Manila
before World War II
 Legarda Elementary School at Lealtad Sampaloc Manila. It
is a French Renaissance inspired building

Arellano brothers (Juan and Arcadio)

 built the neo-renaissance inspired La Gota de Leche on
Lepanto St. Sampaloc Manila
 Juan Arellano’s greatest works were the neoclassicism
inspired Post Office Building at Lawton, Manila and the
romantic styled Metropolitan theatre also at Lawton. These
masterpieces made him a towering figure in Philippine
architecture.

Tomas Mapua
 constructed the Nurse’s home of the Philippine General
hospital at Taft Avenue, Manila
 Ocampo Sr.’s Paterno Building, now Feati University, and the
Central Seminary Building of the University of Santo Tomas

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Architecture

Fr. Roques Ruano

 constructed the main building of the University of Santo
Tomas in 1927. It is considered as a unique building
because of its earthquake-proof construction.

References
Construction. (Retrieved June 24, 2011 from
(www.articlesbase.com ›

Free Lesson Plans and Activities for Architecture (Retrieved on July

15, 2011 at
architecture.about.com/od/teachersaids/.../lessonplans.htm)

Lamucho, V.S., Baesa-Pagay, J.S., Cabalu, D.H., Pascual, J.C. and

Norona, L.F. (2003). Introduction to Humanities. Malabon City:
Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Engineering. © 2002 by The

McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Ramirez, V. E., Leynes, M.A. and Fajardo, B.V. (2008). Minding the
Arts:Art Appreciation for College. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing
House, Inc.
Teachnology.com (Retrieved July 15, 2011 at www.teach-
nology.com/ )

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