TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Quiapo, Manila

Theory of Architecture
RESEARCH MIDTERM

Cuaresma, Reje A. Ar. Romeo S. Camacho

AR12FA5
1. BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS AS EXPRESSION OF AN DESIGN

 Structural system and Material finishes

Structural system, in building construction, the particular method of assembling and

constructing structural elements of a building so that they support and transmit applied
loads safely to the ground without exceeding the allowable stresses in the members.
Basic types of systems include bearing-wall, post-and-lintel, frame, membrane, and
suspension. They fall into three major categories: low-rise, high-rise, and long-span.
Systems for long-span buildings (column-free spaces of more than 100 feet, or 30
metres) include tension and compression systems (subject to bending) and funicular
systems, which are shaped to experience either pure tension or pure compression.
Bending structures include the girder and two-way grids and slabs. Funicular structures
include cable structures, membrane structures, and vaults and domes. See also shell
structure.

Finishing Materials
 (in construction), materials and items use d t
o improve the service and decorative quali ties 
of buildings and structures, as wellas to pr ote
ct structural members from atmospheric a nd 
other effects. The main finishing materials  in 
modern constructioninclude finishing mort ars 
and concretes; natural and artificial masonry materials; decorative ceramics; materials 
and itemsmade from wood, paper, glass, plastic, and metals; and paints and varnishes.

 Finishing materials are usually designed for interior or exterior finishing; some materials 
are used for both (for example,natural decorative stone, ceramic materials, and archite
ctural glass). A special group consists of materials and items forcovering floors, which m
ust meet a number of specific requirements (negligible wear, high impact strength, and 
so on).Finishing materials also include acoustic materials, which are used simultaneousl
y as soundabsorbing coatings and as adecorative finish for the interiors of theaters, con
cert halls, and motion-picture theaters.

 An arbitrary distinction is made between finishing materials proper, which are used mai
nly to form decorative and protectivecoatings (varnishes and paints, wallpaper, polyme
ric films, linoleum, and so on), and structural finishing materials, which alsoperform the 
functions of enclosing members and are components of such members (decorative con
crete, facing brick, glassblocks, and molded glass).

 Concept of site planning and Character interior spaces

Planning occur as a process, by which we mean that they follow a logical sequence of
actions or events that must be carried out to arrive at a viable solution.  It is a multi-
 disciplinary problem-solving operation often involving architects, landscape architects
and engineers, and frequently may require input from physical scientists as well to
address environmental issues.  It requires a logical objectivity for some steps, but also
allows room for subjective design interpretation at others.

 There are several notable models from which we can draw to understand the basic
components of the site planning and design process.  Kevin Lynch outlines an eight-
stage site planning cycle that includes:

 Defining the problem 

 Programming and the analysis of site and user
 Schematic design and the preliminary cost estimate 
 Developed design and detailed costing
 Contract documents 
 Bidding and contracting 
 Construction 
 Occupation and management 

 Site Planning Measures. Specific site planning goals and techniques utilized in creation
of the Illustrated Site Plan, Exhibit 5, include:

1.       New adjacent single-family detached residences, which abut homes that front on
Bennett shall all be single story, and shall incorporate increased rear year setbacks as
established on the tentative tract map from the rear property line, including room
additions, living space, decks and single story structures.
2.       Passive open space adjacent to five single-family detached residences fronting on
Bennett Avenue, as a rear yard buffer.
3.       Varied massing of rear elevations of single-family detached and side elevations of
townhome units facing Bennett Avenue and the MTA Railroad right-of-way.
4.       Varied setbacks for single-family detached residences and town-home buildings
facing Bennett Avenue and the MTA Railroad right-of-way.
5.       Lowered pad elevations for single-family detached residences and townhome
buildings, below street grade along Bennett Avenue, to minimize the visual impact of
building masses.
6.       Varied garage placement for single-family detached residences, setbacks and
massing along the central community streetscene.
7.       Varied residential elevations along the central community streetscene (single-
family frontage and side elevations of townhomes.) 

Character interior spaces

 As important as the needs of the client in determining an interior design program are
the physical characteristics of the space itself. In interior design there is always, by
 definition, an architectural framework that provides a starting point for design
development—even when conception of the interior design plan is concurrent with the
construction of a new building.

 If the space under consideration possesses particular character or distinction, or a

unique feature that may become a focal point—a wall of arched windows, an attractive
fireplace, or a fine view—this may suggest a way to handle the space and place
furniture within it.

 In the case of an older building, original architectural details, including plasterwork,

woodwork, doors, and hardware, should be noted and careful consideration given to
preserving them. Prior to the 1970s, renovations often stripped period buildings of their
moldings and other details in the name of modernization. Since the late 20th century,
the trend has been toward preserving what remains, if not restoring.

 The physical character of an interior space is determined by the planes that enclose it—
the walls, floors, and ceilings that form the container describing the space and
imparting to it properties such as proportion, scale, and balance. The ceiling in
particular, be it low or high, slanted or domed, beamed or coffered, has much to do
with the way people experience interior space. Designers of the modern era have the
additional challenges of smoke alarms, air-conditioning ducts, the ceiling's frequent role
as conveyor of lighting, and other contemporary technology.

2. VALUES, ASPIRATIONS AND CULTURE

 Manifestation of Filipino culture in:

Pre-colonial Architecture - Prior to the arrival

of the Spaniards, the main form of dwelling for
a family in the Philippines was the nipa hut,a
single room house composed of wood, bamboo
or othernative materials. Though the styles of
thenipa hut variedthroughout the country,
most all of them shared similarcharacteristics
including having it raised slightly aboveground
on stilts and a steep roof. Aside from nipa
huts,other small houses were built on top of
trees to preventanimal as well as enemy
attacks.

Post-colonial Architecture – Spanish

colonization introducedEuropean architecture
 intothe country. The influence of European architecture and itsstyle actually came via
theAntilles through theManilaGalleon. The most lasting legacy of Spain in terms
ofarchitecture was its colonial churches which were designedby anonymous friar.In this
era, the nipa hut or Bahay Kubo gave way to the Bahay na Bato (stone house) and
became the typical house of noble Filipinos. The Bahay na Bato followed the nipa
hut'sarrangements such as open ventilation and elevatedapartments. The most obvious
difference between the twohouses would be the materials that was used to build
them.The Bahay na Bato was constructed out of brick and stonerather than the
traditional bamboo materials.

 Building and construction traditional beliefs

 Palm fronds are popular in Filipino houses especially for Roman Catholic
families. These are blessed by Catholic priests and should be put up at the door
and at the corners inside the house. It is believed to ward off evil spirits.

 In planning and designing the house, people should refrain from having their
house in the shape of a cross as it will bring the residents bad luck. The same is
believed to happen to the residents of a new house which is built on top of an
old one.

 People should avoid having a living room in a lower place than all other parts of
the house or a sunken living room as this will invite sickness and bad luck into
the house, from which the residents will suffer from.

 Doors should never face west. Having such doors will lead to sickness, conflicts,
and maybe even death to the residents.

 Mirrors should never face a house’s main door because it is believed that the
mirror will send out the blessings that are supposed to go inside the house. This
means that the residents of the house will experience financial difficulties and
bad luck.

 During construction, residents or the carpenters working on the house should

offer a pig or a chicken’s blood through pouring it to the foundations or posts of
the house. This is an ancient pagan Filipino belief that is done to prevent spirits
living in the area from being upset with the family and the construction workers.

 Another thing which should be done during construction is twisting the posts
clockwise before cementing it in its place. Doing this is believed to make the
house safe from damages caused by typhoons.

 It is believed that a child will be lucky if his or her first ever extracted tooth is
placed under a house’s roof.
 People should never sweep the floor in the evening going to the direction of the
main door and outside the house. This is said to be like sweeping the blessings
out of the house. There are also some people who believe that doing so will
make centipedes fall on the floor from the ceiling.

 A house that is built in the middle of a crossroad and faces the dead end or what
is called “tumbok” in Filipino is said to be full of bad luck for its residence. This
also applies to buildings, apartments, and all other structures. The same is
believed by people who believe in Feng Shui. Living in a house which is
positioned that way will cause bankruptcy or death to its occupants.

 The numbers of the steps in a stair matters a lot. It is counted as “oro”, “plata”,
“mata” which mean gold, silver, and death, respectively. Counting starts at the
bottom step to the topmost. Counting should end at “oro” or “plata” to bring
about prosperity and not “mata” which will bring about misfortune.