POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
I
Background of the Study
Introduction
Philippine vernacular architecture provided strong evidences of Philippine history itself,
especially in terms of lifestyle, and habitation. From the simple, native Philippine nipa hut,
emerged the bahay na bato, through the influence and combination of foreign architectural
practices.
Manila opened to international trading before Suez Canal in 1869, causing a rise in trade
and agricultural production, and eventually led the native aristocrats to good fortune. However,
there was no proper place for such trade to take place, and settlements had to be built in order to
accommodate further trade development. Thus, through colonization, the Spaniards brought their
architectural influence, however, they quickly learned that their stone buildings could not
withstand an earthquake-prone country.
According to Robert Gardner, towns and plantations grew, and more substantial homes
were being built by the rising upper-class. These principalia and ilustrados, adapted and
combined the structural features of the native bahay kubo with stylistic elements from Spanish
and Chinese architectural influence, creating a building that provided more space, durability and
comfortability for its users, at the same time signified nobility and elegance. It was through social
and economic development, as well as architectural evolution, that the 19th century townhouses
emerged, known as bahay na bato. It served as the model for townhouses from the 19th century
until World War II and for many is considered the quintessential Filipino house. It was because of
its influence and aesthetic that many of these ancient dwellings are still carefully preserved to this
day, the best of them are found in Northern Luzon where majority of the Spaniards had ruled.
Goal of the Study
The researchers aim to assess the architectural structure of the Bahay na Bato
environmental, social and economic conditions, the design concept behind the vernacular
architecture of Bahay na Bato of Northern Luzon, as well understand its significance and
relevance to the contemporary world, especially in modern day architecture.
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
Objectives of the Study
In order for the researchers to assess the Bahay na Bato of Northern Luzon, they aim to
achieve the following objectives:
1. To identify and assess the different functions of each space and material of the Bahay na
Bato.in Northern Luzon
2. To understand the design concept behind the Bahay na Bato, and the environmental,
social, and economic factors that influenced it.
3. To know the importance of the relationship between studying the Bahay na Bato of
Northern Luzon and tropical design.
4. To know the significance and relevance of the Bahay na Bato of North Luzon in the
contemporary world.
5. To recognize the advantage and disadvantage of using the concept of Bahay na Bato and
recommend ways on how it can still be relevant in the contemporary world.
Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will benefit those who are involved in the architectural field:
students, mentors, architects, engineers, researchers as well as clients. Individuals who are
involved in the architectural field will gain a better understanding of the origins, influence, design
concept, materials and style, as well as create further options and considerations for future
designs and creativity using the knowledge and inspiration from Bahay na Bato. In addition, clients
of the architectural profession will also benefit from this study, knowing the benefits and
disadvantage of considering features from a Bahay na Bato in their choice of housing design.
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
II
PRESENTATION OF DATA
A. Siting and Orientation
In every successful conquest, Spaniards built permanent settlements, which are
usually found near rivers. The need for these permanent settlements was to strengthen their
engagement in trades, hence, these settlements multiplied as villages, and eventually became
a trading ground. The Spaniards, then, required a place wherein they could establish a seat
of governance, military, and religion. The houses of the elite, aristocratic, or the wealthy, which
is the Bahay na Bato, were facing the plaza. It is believed that the farther a resident is from
the plaza complex, the less economically capable and powerful she/he is.
The Bahay na Bato is normally built, but not limited in places with tropical climate
conditions, because of two factors: first, the essential materials (e.g. wood and stone) to build
the Bahay na Bato are abundant; second, the land can sustain human and animal life,
particularly livestock, due to high density vegetation, rich soil, abundance of food resources
and water resources. The main influences of the Bahay na Bato, based on its siting and
orientation, would be: (1) the consideration of hierarchy in the arrangement of spaces and
buildings, (2) about power—in an urban and rural environment; and (3) consideration of
climatic and geographical conditions.
The researchers find that this type of house design is tolerable in both wet and dry
seasons, and can withstand harsh weather conditions (e.g. El Nino and La Nina), thus the
Bahay na Bato is preferably built on tropical climates and on plane areas rather than atop
mountainous topography to save time, money, materials, and resources.
B. Plans and Spaces
The structure of the Bahay na Bato has considered many factors, specifically natural
elements in order for it to last longer than that of a traditional bahay kubo. According to John
Patrick Banog and Michael Baluyot (2015), the construction of the Bahay na Bato mainly
focuses on the catastrophic aspects that could affect a house in Philippine grounds. Not only
that, the number of rooms or spaces multiplied, as compared to that of the bahay kubo that is
an all-in-one function house. The bahay na bato allows for a more spacious and comfortable
living, providing multiple functions from its numerous parts.
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
To be familiarized with the different spaces, below are the list and pictures of the main
parts of the Bahay na Bato:
Name of Space Picture Definition
Escalera staircase
Source:https://historyofarchitecture.wee
bly.com/
Caida (antesala) a transition space right after
the stair, leading to living
area or to dining area
Source:
ttps://historyofarchitecture.weebly.com/
Cuarto (bedroom) a room usually adjacent to
the living area.
Rizal Shrine, Calamba, Laguna
Source:https://choosehappiness101.word
press.com/2018/03/12/rizal-shrine/
Sala (living room) the central room in a Filipino
house often facing the street
or plaza and is used as
family’s leisure and social
activities room.
Main Sala of Pastor Heritage House,
Batangas
Source:pinterest.com/pin/3834393557455
00724/?lp=true
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
Bodega an enclosed room or space
(storeroom)- where things are stored.
Source:https://www.slideshare.net/rdeleo
n10061/parts-of-bahay-kubo
Bangguera place for drying pots.
Source:https://historyofarchitecture.weebl
y.com/bahay-na-bato.html
Zaguan the space after the entrance
(entrance hall) that serves as transition
space between the entrance
and the grand stairs to the
upper floor that is used as
storage for carriages,
professional floats and
Source:https://historyofarchitecture.weebl
where other implements are
y.com/bahay-na-bato.html
kept.
Azotea (flat roof) the flat roof of the aljibe
usually at the back of kitchen
and is used as an elevated
outdoor terrace or service
area.
Source:https://www.slideshare.net/rdeleo
n10061/parts-of-bahay-kubo
Calados Lace-style fretwork or
latticework used to adorn
room dividers and to allow
air to circulate
Source:https://historyofarchitecture.weebl
y.com/bahay-na-bato.html
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
Baño (bathroom)- • a room intended for
washing or bathing.
Source:
https://www.slideshare.net/rdeleo
n10061/parts-of-bahay-kubo
Cubeta (toilet a room with latrina a
receptacle for human waste
where ash from the kusina is
poured to eliminate odor.
Source:https://historyofarchitecture.weebl
y.com/bahay-na-bato.html
Cocina (kitchen) a room where food is
prepared and cooked.
Source:https://historyofarchitecture.weebl
y.com/bahay-na-bato.html
Comedor (dining the space adjacent to the
kitchen where meals are
served.
Source:https://historyofarchitecture.weebl
y.com/bahay-na-bato.html
Dispensa a service room adjacent to a
(pantry)- kitchen and dining for
storing food supplies and
other provisions.
Source:https://www.slideshare.net/rdeleo
n10061/parts-of-bahay-kubo
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
Alijibe (cistern)- an enclosed masonry
structure for storing water
for households and other
uses
Accesoria an extension or annex to a
(accessory) house.
The bahay na bato’s floor
plan was no different to modern
Philippine housing. The researchers
observed that the application of the
arrangement was carefully planned
to have the second floor as a place
for leisure, as compared to the lower
level, that seems more of a workable
space than the upper. The same
careful planning applies with taking
advantage of natural lighting, and the
existing tradewinds. Take the the
Lazo-Singson house for example;
according to Ludivina Lozano
(University of the Philippines, Floor Plans of Lazo-Singson House (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)
College of Architecture, n.d.) Source: https://upca.upd.edu.ph/uploads/
“The longer sides of Lazo-Singson House facing Northeast and Southwest take full
advantage of the Amihan (northeast) and Habagat (southwest) wind breezes. The shorter sides
of the house facing the East and West were tilted towards North to avoid too much solar
exposure.”
As seen from the plan, the house makes use of the azotea, where the longer side is, to
further allow wind to enter the building, wherein the windows are numerous in the shorter side
where the sun is more likely to be exposed, illuminating the large space inside. This evidences
suggests that strategic arrangement of spaces is to be critically considered when designing a
structure. Especially in the contemporary world, it should be relevant that architects allow nature
to be a part of their design, and so does the building to become a part of nature.
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
C. Building Envelopes and Spaces
The bahay na bato, in general, incorporated characteristics from the traditional bahay kubo
in order to adapt to its local environment. A study, entitled “Tropical Design Theories, Strategies
and Concepts”, explains that open ventilation and elevated housing arrangement of the bahay
kubo was significant in modifying the bahay na bato, since the Philippines is known for having
wet and dry climates. The difference between the two are the materials used, and the way they
were constructed.
The bahay kubo was purely made of bamboo, nipa, and wood, whereas, the bahay na
bato was improved with stone and bricks supported by haligi or wooden pillars, which was stated
by Russel Hernan (n.d.), to be 7.5 meters or more in height, to create the hybridization of Spanish,
Chinese, and Philippine Architecture.
Like the bahay kubo, according to Kryzhia Rodriguez, (n.d.) the bahay na bato had high-
pitched roofs, but instead of just nipa, they were made from nipa, tile, and galvanized iron, which
was surrounded by gutters at the bottom. Having a high-angled roof worked well to drain rainwater
quicker, and allowed for more air to circulate in the building, which the researchers perceived to
still be relevant today in Northern Luzon since provinces like Ilocos, and Batangas are prone to
receiving heavy rains. The wide eaves (alero) of the roof allowed necessary shading to cover the
large window openings of the building. The eaves' undersides are fitted with latticed vents for
wind breeze to enter roof cavity, that prevents hot air to enter the cavity. Window openings are
either designed as jalousie windows or capiz shell windows, which comes with a smaller window
below it, called the ventanilla, which allows for cross-ventilation throughout the building.
There are noticeable differences between the materials in the second and the ground floor.
According to Rodriguez(n.d.), the ground level is usually floored with charcoal, sand, or gravel
with mortared stone or brick, whereas the second level has a wooden floor. The researchers find
it that having stone or brick floorings not only harmonizes with the building’s ground environment,
or having wooden floors not only makes it easier and better for maintenance, cleanliness and for
amplifying sound for the building, but also provides a variation of material between the upper and
lower floors that makes their functions distinguishable from one another, wherein the lower floor
tends to be more public than the upper floor.
Lastly, the walls. In Northern Luzon, it was uniquely designed to have the second level
façade wall to be made of bricks or stone too, rather than the common wooden second floor walls,
without moving away from the nipa hut design. In Vigan, Ilocos Sur, buildings vary from wooden,
and non-wooden second floors. The walls of the bahay na bato was constructed using a double
wall system to prevent heat gain.
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
D. Design Concept
The design concept of the bahay na bato was simply to adapt some features of the bahay
kubo for the building to withstand the Philippines’ tropical climate and geological environment,
especially considering the open ventilation and elevated housing arrangement. With the nipa hut
or bahay kubo as the basis for design, the influence of the Spanish and Chinese architecture was
combined, resulting to the hybridization and birth of the Philippine ancestral house.
In Hernan’s (n.d.) study, the bahay na bato was considered as a Colonial Filipino Noble
house, only those who were financially capable built such structure in history. However, in contrast
to the present, the hierarchy in living in a bahay na bato is not as important, especially after the
second world war, as mentioned by Manuel Noche (2015), the re-emergence of the bahay na
bato became a popular form to be copied and modernized, and the concept has now been widely
used in Filipino households.
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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ANONAS, STA. MESA, MANILA, KALAKHANG MANILA
III
CONCLUSION
The vernacular architecture style of the bahay na bato is slowly fading as modernization
rejects Philippine tradition, when it should not. This assessment led the researchers to further
examine and conclude that the bahay na bato embraced the very natural environment
surrounding it, without sacrificing its value as an elegant and functional structure, meant to house
nobles in the past, and providing basic habitual needs. The bahay na bato did not depend much
on cement, glass or other modern-day structural materials, yet it had withstood against natural
calamities and climate, like earthquakes and frequent rain. This can be seen through the properly
preserved bahay na bato in Vigan, Ilocos Sur and parts of Laguna. It also has more character and
depth to its design concept than modern houses; you are able to appreciate the combined
influence of foreign lands from the multiple spaces and ornaments provided incorporated in the
bahay na bato. Although materials have certainly evolved, the re-emergence of the design of
bahay na bato, as said earlier by Manuel Noche, has modernized and became popular amongst
locals, the way it should be. Reviving the bahay na bato embraces the architectural history, and
logical practice of how houses in the Philippines should be able to take advantage of its
environment in the contemporary world.
IV
RECOMMENDATIONS
It became relevant that the Spaniards had to adapt and redesign their own architectural
techniques to match the Philippines’ environment, thus created the bahay na bato. The
researchers would mean that the bahay na bato should be as relevant in the contemporary world
as it was hundreds of years ago, because the climate condition and natural occurrences still
exists. Today, the bahay na bato is slowly fading, even though it gives enough basis for a
traditional Philippine house to be used again in terms of concept and materials, and can be further
improved in the contemporary world because of new techniques and knowledge in architecture.
Rather than battling with natural phenomenon, the researchers suggests that studying and
reviving the basics of the bahay na bato in contemporary design will not only promote Philippine
architecture, but will encourage the use and further development of traditional housing materials,
opening the doors to resourceful, environmental-friendly, and, hopefully, cheaper and more
durable living.
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