Manaoag Spiritual Center

Manaoag, Pangasinan
INTRODUCTION

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Folk tradition has it that the Blessed Mother showed herself to a farmer. The Blessed Mother held on her right hand a rosary and Baby Jesus on her left. According to folklore, she showed herself on a low tree amidst the glow of heavenly light and gave this farmer the message that she wanted her shrine to be located there. It was then that tradition holds the Blessed Mothers call to the farmer gave birth to the town called Manaoag (from the word taoag meaning to call thus creating to word Manaoag meaning she calls). This excerpt from the history of Manaoag could testify to the religious significance of the Blessed Mother to us Filipinos. Most of us living in the city, perhaps it could be all of us, from time to time would be so stressed that we would want to seek refuge or perhaps just a weekend getaway a getaway from the hassle and bustle of city life. (Retreat House) Manaoag, on the other hand serve as a place where people come to the calling Virgin (or so they call it) to find favor and spiritual consolation from her and people (visitors) have it that they go away feeling satisfied and rewarded. So the same thing goes for many people, not only with those living in the stressful areas of the city but also for those foreigners seeking for favor and enlightenment.

BACKGROUND

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But a Spiritual Center like Manaoag does more than that. It would offer you spiritual enlightenment and favor. It would spread the word of God through evangelization. It would renew your faith. And it would be a pilgrims destination in Manaoag.

Background: ManaoagPangasinan Manaoag began as a small settlement of Cawili, now the town of San Jacinto, by the banks of Baloquing Creek in the early 1600 s. Augustinian Fathers established a Christian Mission which was regarded as the Mission of Sta. Monica. The Dominican Fathers who succeeded the Augustinians placed the area under the protection of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. A tale that a farmer saw a lady with a child clothed in white in a blinding light came before him on top of a tree saying Son, I want a church in my honor. My children shall receive many favors in this place. Immediately the story spread from his family to his neighbors and people b egan going to the said place to verify the story of the Virgin Mary who calls. Upon their return home, they were asked where they came from and answered Dimad Apo YaMantatawag. The expression in English literally mean: From the Lady Who Call. Then the term evolved into Mantawag. In both Pangasinan and Ilocano dialects, Manaoag means to call. Eventually the word Manaoag, was derived and remained the name of the town. At present, the shrine remains an attraction to both local and foreign pilgrims. This certain shrine proves of the devotion set by Filipino people to the Blessed Mother. It was said that people come to the calling Virgin to find favor and spiritual consolation from h er. And they go away feeling satisfied and rewarded. At present: It is a first class district with a land area of 67.69 sq. km. with a population of 64,578 in 2010. It is bounded by Pozuburio in the North, Urdaneta City and Mapanda on its South, Laoac on its East, and San Jacinto on the West.

SITE ANALYSIS:

Given the site location, it would be observed that part of the road is a rough road while the other part concreted. The site would be seen as with bushes and tall grasses. An advantage of the site though would be the line of trees present by the roadside and some more on the inside of the lot which could be utilized for the design. It was also observed that the site is on a sloping terrain (approx. 3-5% as stated in the problem). From the Manaoag church, the site is a few minute walk. Private vehicles may have access to the main roads but not the actual site.

PROJECT BRIEF
CONCEPT: A World Behind the Walls Would be inspired by:

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Philippine Architecture Manaoags history Stories and folklore Vernacular materials and elements

NOTE: The most abundant material seen in most houses in the area are of bamboo and cogon grass. During the earlier times, people living in town were raided by those of the mountain tribes. People from the town then would flee from their homes to the bamboo forests surrounding them. Design Interpretation: Bamboo forest inspired entrance as a symbolism of refuge from the hassle and bustle of city life, refuge from stresses, and a place of safety and enlightrnment.

NOTE: Light pilgrims and believers begin with their visit to the shrine by offering their intentions and lighting of candles. Design Interpretation: Natural lighting would be utilized so as to animate the space and create a feeling of uniqueness.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES: To spread the word of God through evangelization as a response to the call of salvation in the context of the Dominical Tradition To serve as a catalyst in the renewal of the faith in the 21st Century To provide a spiritual center for the laity as well as serve and create an alternative pilgrims destination in Manaoag

PROJECT BRIEF
DESIGN OBJECTIVES: To provide a design that lives up to the spiritual ambiance and nature of the facility. To design a facility that will promote or showcase Philippine Architecture. To design a structure that will relive the past of Philippine Architecture and let local and foreign people experience it. To provide a facility that would enhance Manaoags objective of spreading and renewal of faith through its new design facilit ies To create an environment that would promote Manaoags beauty through stories and folklore incorporated in the design

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DESIGN GOAL/S: To be able to provide a facility that would promote unity with one another, intimacy with God and the religion, and simplicity with the way of living.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS: Acoustics Lighting Ventilation Character Landscaping/vista Orientation DESIGN STRATEGIES: Materials To consider the surrounding vernacular architecture of the site. To consider the local and foreign visitors convenience and serene stay around the facility. To consider the spiritual aspect of the project and incorporate it in the design. To consider landscaping as a spiritual element and aesthetics for the site.

Indoor and Outdoor Landscaping To allow fresh air to circulate the structure

Pavillions To provide an attractive structure where one could rest, eat, and shelter.

Phillipine Architecture To promote Philippine culture and architecture to local and foreign people.

Ventanillas to allow natural air to circulate the structure. This is also to allo heat to rise up and move out of the structure

Louvres To lessen the rays of the sun without having to block air passages

PROJECT BRIEF
DESIGN PARAMETERS Chapel Design

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A church/chapel is a very important building by nature. It speaks to the entire community about the beliefs and aspirations of the religion served. It is then advisable to strive for simplicity and subtlety. The chapels exterior elements would contribute to the first impression visitors have of the place a nd the quality of the services that they would probably have. The use of materials that would create an industrial, commercial, or institutional appearance then should be avoided. Plan types A rectangular plan the most utilized plan type that offers simplicity with its altar located at the one end thus creating a focal point in which seating rows are oriented looking towards that single focal points. However so, with a seating capacity that exceeds 500 would be difficult due to visibility range and the diminished sense of participation for those located in the back rows. Cruciform plans possess a symbolic significance for its plan form which is not quite unusual. The altar would be located at the head of the cross or at the crossings while its transepts would contain row of seats. With this kind of plan, the sense of unity is lost. Central plans these plan types were found in ancient churches. Intimacy and oneness is often suggested in this type of form. Its disadvantage though would be the viewing angles from various points. Another consideration to be made for this type of plan would be the difficulty of eye contact for the preacher. Landscaping Landscape design feature over the years has increased its significance. Its elements help create natural beauty for visitors of the church. These elements include water features, earth berms, trees, shrubs, and the like. It also helps in the screening of parking areas and defining of building entrances. Design Factors on Landscaping 1. Purpose should be determined (e.g. to soften or enhance the structure, as an outdoor living space or for leisure and enjoyment) 2. Orientation has an important bearing on the amount of sun received and dictates the plant types and sheltering needed 3. Access and circulation to and within the landscaped area in relation with the buildings 4. Wall enclosure may be brick or stone and should blend with the materials used with the adjacent buildings 5. Width of paths: 300 600 mm for access only; 700 mm between hedges; 1200 mm+ for two people passing; 1800 mm for prams/wheelchair 6. Ramps of 1:12 with a minimum with of 1.2m

PROJECT BRIEF
Compatibility Maintaining Harmony and Balance

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Design compatibility has never meant replication. Rather it seeks to establish a range of visual tolerances that do not disrupt the character of a particular place. This certain principle suggests that it is important to establish recognizable, identifiable sense of place as elements of singularity. Design Factors on Compatibility 1. The plan for the structure does not feel out of place, discordant, confusing, too big, too small, or simply wrong for the character of the place. 2. Development must be managed to avoid loss of precious assets such as view, historically important buildings, accessibility, and landscape features. 3. Bulky buildings can over power and destroy the scale of the buildings around it. 4. The character of the building should be respectful of its environment and of its time. 5. Light-colored buildings reflect shadow and sunlight; their surface character change throughout the day; dark-colored buildings appear flat in the sunlight and present a powerful silhouette against the sky. Parking space: 1 car slot amd 1 jeepney/shuttle slot for every 50 sq. m. of congregation area Height of building: (Section 707 table VII.2. Height Limit by Type of Use or Occupancy) No. of allowable storeys above established grade 3-5 Meters above highest grade 10.00 15.00

Design Guidelines 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Naturally comfortable houses are low energy houses Ceiling fans provide low energy cooling if you only use them whilst rooms are occupied Light colored roofs (or zinc alum) reflect the heat Use orientation and shading to eliminate direct sun on walls Minimize east and west wall areas and avoid windows on east and western walls to prevent low morning and afternoon sun heating up the house Correctly sized eaves can provide permanent shade to north and south windows and walls (northern verandas make sense Plant tall trees on the east and west sides of the house to shade walls Tall trees on north and south shade roof (minimise mid-height foliage to let breeze through for naturally ventilated houses). Consider leaving half roof unshaded if solar panels are to be used

Design for Natural Ventilation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Use the breeze for cross ventilation through openings in opposite walls and internal partitions Maximise the area of windows (e.g. louvres) that can be opened Orientate house to catch the breeze (whilst still minimising sun on east and west walls) A long narrow floor plan catches the breeze best. Trees and shrubs act to cool the air passing through the house. Don't use exposed concrete on ground immediately outside the house as it heats the air. Roof space ventilation draws the heat out.

PROJECT BRIEF
7. Dirty flyscreens block more breeze. 8. Consider using openable/removable flyscreen shutters Minimum Insulation 1. Standard Light coloured well ventilated roofs: foil/sisalation 2. Other roofs: R1.5 batts and foil/sisalation Full shading of wall is much more important than wall R-value. Unshaded, masonry walls store heat and release it well into the night. 3. Shelter windows with louvres, canopies, shutters or fixed overhangs - then you can enjoy the cooling effect of rain. Design for Air-Condition NOTE: House designs depending on full air-conditioning for comfort are not very suitable for our tropical climate nor environmentally sensitive. 1. 2. 3. 4. Energy costs will be high when air-conditioning is running and comfort levels will be low when air conditioning is switched off. Occupants can have difficulty acclimatising to outside temperatures The better your house seals and is insulated, and the less glass area, the less energy air-conditioning will use. Keep the heat and moisture out and the cool in! Shade walls and choose the highest wall R-value(lowest U-value) possible.

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Windows 1. Medium sized with the greatest possible openable area per window, and placed for cross ventilation, so you don't have to air-condition all the time 2. Heavy snug fitting curtains and pelmets prevent cooling energy loss from radiation and air flow against glass 3. A square floor plan minimises external wall area and therefore reduces cooling energy loss through walls. Exposed heavy construction materials (e.g. concrete and bricks) inside insulation barrier store cooling energy. Combined Air-Conditioning and Naturally Ventilated Houses 1. Many houses in tropical regions have some air conditioned spaces and some naturally ventilated spaces or the same spaces are naturally ventilated and air-conditioned at different times 2. Design of each area should follow principles for natural ventilation or air-conditioning as relevant. 3. Walls separating naturally ventilated and cooled spaces should be insulated and have doors to limit loss of cooled air.

REFERENCES
Air Mobility Command Chapel Facilities Design Guidelines Architects Handbook Time Savers Building Types

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Internet Sources:

http://keepingtraces.blogspot.com http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.manaoagshrine.org www.aedhotep.com