ARCHITECTURE

Definition

Architecture is the art

and science of designing
and constructing
buildings, bridges, and
other structures to satisfy
individual and communal
needs. It is a complex art
inasmuch as the task of
the architect is not only
to create the design of
the exterior of the
building or similar
structure, but also to do
the design of its interior.

Kinds of Architectural Construction

Primitive men used to live in
caves primarily because they did not
have the tools for building houses
and were not equipped with the
knowledge of construction. When
they began making implements, they
started constructing tree houses and
similar dwelling places. Through the
years, the structures that housemen
have continuously improved. With
the Industrial Revolution and the
introduction of steel and other
construction material, the
mushrooming of high-rise buildings
(See Figs.4.1 and 4.2) is inevitable.
Architects see to it that the basic
kinds of architectural construction
form part of these sky-reaching
buildings. These are the post and
lintel, the cantilever, the arch, the
truss, the vault, and the dome.

 Post and Lintel. The

post and lintel consists
of a horizontal beam
called lintel and two
vertical posts to
support it. It is usually
found in doors and
entrances. The
prehistoric
Stonehenge (See
Fig.4.3) illustrates this
type of architectural
construction.

 Cantilever. Similar to the

post and lintel, the
cantilever has two
vertical posts for support
and a horizontal beam
with one end more
extended than the other.
Oftentimes, steel is used
for this type of
architectural construction
because of its tensile
strength. At times, wood
is also used less
frequently because of its
tendency to warp, sag,
and rot.

 Arch. The arch consists of

several wedge-shaped
blocks of stone called
voussoirs held together
by a key stone. It served
to support other
structures such as roof
and to be a symbolic
gateway. The Arch of
Triumph in Paris, France,
illustrates this type of
architectural construction
introduced by the
Romans and dominant in
Roman architecture.

 Dome. The dome is a

large hemispherical roof
or ceiling that looks like
an inverted cup. It is an
extension of the
principle of the arch
capable of enclosing a
wide area, The Dome
of the Rock (See
Fig.4.4) in Jerusalem is a
class example of this
type of architectural
construction.

 Vault. The vault (See

Fig.4.5) is an arched
structure of masonry
usually forming a roof
or ceiling. Similar to the
dome, it is an extension
of the principle of the
arch capable of
enclosing a vast
expense of space. It has
several types, namely;
barrel vault, groined
vault, cross vault, Welsh
vault, and cloister vault.

 Truss. The truss (See

Fig.4.6) consists of a
braced framework of
beams or bars forming
one or more triangles.
An assemblage of
beams forming a rigid
framework, it is usually
used to support the
roof.

Mediums
The mediums used in architecture
are classified into light and heavy
materials. Light materials include paper,
nipa, bamboo, and other light wood. All,
except paper, form part of nipa huts and
similar dwellings in tropical countries. The
advantage of these materials is that they
allow for good ventilation, but their
disadvantage is that that are not resistant
to fire and other natural elements. Thus,
houses made of light materials, especially
those in squatter or slum areas, are
described as fire hazards. The rend now is
toward the use of heavy materials which
are not only fire-resistant but also durable
and able to withstand natural forces such
as earthquakes, landslides, storms, and
floods. These materials are hardwood,
stone, concrete (combination of cement,
gravel, and sand), brick, steel, and cast
iron. They always form part of high-rise
buildings, for example, condominiums.

Prehistoric Period. The caves

used to be first dwellings of the
Stone Age men. After they had
created their tools and other
implements such as the adzes,
they began constructing their
tree houses with the use of
materials indigenous in their
surroundings. The Egyptians were
among ancient civilizations who
came up with enormous
architectural works. Their
pyramids built to entomb their
leaders, the pharaohs, are one of
the wonders of the Ancient
World. These structures are more
complex than their earlier
counterpart, the mastaba, a
chamber for the dead. The
Babylonians also constructed
their own structures, the famous
of which are the Hanging Garden
of Babylon (another ancient
wonder) and the Tower of Babel,
a ziggurat.

 Greek Period. The Parthenon

typifies the architecture of this
period. Adorned with relief
sculpture by Phidias and his
assistants, it exemplifies the
post-and lintel system of
architecture. Other wellknown buildings are the
Temple of Diana ( another
ancient wonder), Erechtheum,
and the Temple of Winged
Victory. The Greeks are
famous for their architectural
orders(See Appendix B): the
Ionic (with the simplest
capital), the Doric ( with a
capital having rams horns or
volutes), and the Corinthian
(with a capital having acanthus
leaves).

Roman Period. The Greatest

contributions of the Romans to
Western civilization are in the
field of architecture. While they
adopted the three classical
orders of Greek architecture,
they added the Tuscan orders
(with plain abacus capital but
without flutings) and the
composite order(with bell-shaped
capital having two rows of
acanthus leaves surmounted by
scrolls). Unlike the Greeks, the
Romans combined the orders in
one building (Ortiz et al., 1976).
They also introduced the dome, a
structure exemplified by the
Colosseum. Besides this semicircular structure, the Arch of
Triumph, the Baths of Caracalla,
the Pantheon, and the Roman
aqueducts were built during this
period.

Medieval Period. The architecture during the

Middle Ages is divided into four artistic style:
Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, and
Gothic. Early Christian (See Fig.4.8.) is
typified by the old Basilica of St. Peter (326
A.D.) (See Fig.4.9.) in Rome, dedicated by
Emperor Constantine and known to be the
first Christian Church. Byzantine architecture
is exemplified by the 6th -century Hagia
Sophia, built in Constantinople and design to
conform to the Greek cross with four
equilateral arms, as opposed to the Latin
cross with the only three equilateral arms.
The Romanesque church has a massive,
horizontal emphasis, an east-west
orientation of the basilica, and a cruciform
shape, with a long central aisle, the nave,
traversed by the transept at right angles.
Contrasted to the Romanesque church, the
Gothic cathedral has a vertical emphasis,
with its high, pointed spires. A good example
of this is the Chartres Cathedral in France
(Ortiz et al., 1976). Another example is the
San Sebastian Church in the Philippines.
Surviving examples of medieval secular (nonreligious) architecture are castles and
fortified walls (e.g., Walls of
Intramuros)which primarily served for
defense.

 Renaissance Period.
Renaissance architecture
involved the construction of
aristocratic residences
calles palazzos (Cosimo de
Medici's Medici-Riccardi
Palace in Florence designed
by Michelozzi and the
Rucellai Palace in Florence
designed by Leon Battista
Alberti) and churches (the
dome of the Florence
cathedral designed by
Brunelleschi and the dome
of St. Peter's Basilica in
Rome designed by Michael
Angelo) (Ortiz et al., 1976).

 Mannerist Period.
Mannerism, as a period
style, is exemplified by
the works of Giorgio
Vesari (Palazzo degli
Uffizi in Florence),
Bartolommeo
Ammarati (courtyard at
the Palazzo Pitti in
Florence), and andrea
Palladio (Villa Rotonda
in Vicenza and S.
Giorgio Maggiore in
Venice). (Janson, 1991)

 Baroque Period.
Exemplified by the
Church of San Carlo alle
Quatro Fontane designed
by Francesco Borromi,
Baroque architecture is
characterized by a highly
ornamented facade, giant
and twisted columns,
broken pediments, and
common decorative
motifs (Ortiz et al., 1976).

 Classic Period. The

classical style found its
full expression in 17th century architecture in
the Palace of Versailles,
built for the court of
King Louis XIV by
Mansart and Le Vau
(Ortiz et al., 1976).

Modern Period. The Bauhaus, a

school of design founded by Walter
Gropius in Weimar,Germany in 1919,
was responsible for the development
of an International Style of
architecture and design, which
gradually spread through out the
industrial world. In the Bauhaus
Building, many architectural and
industrial ideas flourished; however,
central to Bauhaus teaching were
Louis Sullivan's principle that form
follows function and William Morris
belief that utility and aesthetics could
be integrated. Frank Lloyd Wright, an
American pioneer in early 20th century architecture affected the
International Style, but he developed
his own style that never fit into any
category. Most of the skyscrapers
built during the 20th century and the
early years of the 21st century are
applications of the modern style.

 Arguelles, Carlos D.

A contemporary of
Juan Nakpil, Arguelles
design the Philamlife
Building for United
Nations Avenue,
considered as one of the
finest buildings in
Southest Asia (Espina et
al., 2004). He also
designed Development
Bank of the Philippines
and Philippine National
Bank on Escolta.

 Alli, Armando Dominador N.

An architect, planner, and

environment consultant
(APEC), Alli has been for more
than two decades a
practitioner in technological
professions, preparing
comprehensive land use plans
(CLUPs), development master
plans (DMPs), site master
plans (SMPs), transportation
system/facility plans,
architectural designs for
commercial, institutional,
recreational, and residential
structures, and allied design
work.

 Antonio, Pablo S.
(January 25, 1902-June 141975)

Name as the National

Artist of the Philippine for
Architecture in 1976 by
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos,
Antonio is a pioneer of
modern Philippine
architecture. He designed
the Ideal Theater, Life
Theater, Manila Polo Club,
and far Easter University
Campus. He finished his
education at the University
of London with the financial
assistant in the Legislative
Building project.

 Concio, Cesar H.

Concio designed the

Redemptorist Church in
Baclaran and UP
Protestant Chapel.

 De Guzman Arellano,
Juan M.
(Born April 25,1988)

Greatly influenced
by Art Deco
architecture, De
Guzman Arellano is best
known for Manila's
Metropolitan Theater,
which was
controversially modern
during his time.

 De Guzman Arellano,
Juan M.
He also designed the
Manila Post Office
Building, the Jones
Bridge, and the
Executive House (1926),
which now houses the
National Museum of
the Philippines.

 Gutierrez, Gregorio

Gutierrez designed
the Sta. Cruz Church

 Locsin, Leandro
(August 15, 1928-November
15, 1994)

Named as the National

Artist of the Philippines for
architecture in 1990 by Pres.
Corazon Aquino, Locsin is best
known for Cultural Center of
the Philippines (See Fig.4.7).
His other works are the church
of the Holy Sacrifice in the
University of the Philippines in
Diliman, Quezon City, St.
Andrew's Church (circular).
Antipolo Church (circular), and
Philippine International
Convention Center.

 Luis Lira

The first filipino

architect conferred with a
Master of Architecture
degree at the Frank Lloyd
Wright School of
Architecture, Luis is a global
LEED architect holding
architectural licenses in two
countries, the USA and the
Philippines. An awardwinning architect, design
correspondent, and bestselling author, she
completed her first audiobook entitled FRANKly
Speaking: It's the wRIGHT
Way.

 Mangio, Nestor S.

An internationally
famous architect, Mangio is
an environmental planner, a
successful real estate and
community developer, and
a world-renowned lecturer
and convener in urban
design and environmental
planning. He was appointed
by Pres. Fidel Ramos as a
director of the Bases
Conversion Development
Authority, Clark
Development Corporation,
and a Fort Bonifacio
Development Corporation.

 Manosa, Francisco

Famous for his design of

the Coconut Palace in
Tagaytay, Francisco Manosa is
the most outspoken champion
of an indigenous Filipino
architecture. He shared his
expertise through his book
entitled Designing Filipino:
The Architecture of Francisco
Manosa, which showcases his
design for ten residential
projects, five churches, four
commemorative structures,
five hotel/resort projects, five
institutional projects, four
international expositions, and
various industrial projects.

 Mapua, Tomas
(Born December 21,
1888)

One of the founders

of the Mapua Institute of
Technology and the first
registered Filipino
architect, Mapua
supervised by the
designing of the
Philippine General
Hospital on Taft Avenue
and Training School
Building of Normal
School.

Nakpil, Juan F.
A teacher and a civic leader,
Nakpil is a pioneer and innovator in
Philippine architecture. He designed
the 1937 International Eucharistic
Congress; moreover, he rebuilt and
enlarged the Quiapo Church in 1930
and added a dome and a second
belfry to the original design. He also
reconstructed Dr. Jose Rizal's house
in Calamba, Laguna. Among his major
works are Geronimo de los Reyes
Building, Magsaysay Building, Rizal
Theater, Capitol Theater, Captain
Pepe Building, Manila Jockey Club,
Rufino Building, Philippine Village
Hotel, Iglesia ni Cristo Church in San
Juan, San Miguel Pro-Cathedral,
Quezon Institute Hospital, Social
Security System Building in Quezon
City, UP Administration Building, and
UP Library.

 Ocampo, Fernando

Ocampo designed
the Manila Cathedral,
Antipolo Cathedral, and
UST Chapel.
Palacio Genaro O.

Palacio designed
the San Sebastian
Church.

 Santos Jr., Ildefonso P.

Known as the Father

of Landscape Architecture,
Ildefonso Santos Jr. is
among the latest recipients
of the National Artist of the
Philippines award. A
designer of majestic parks
and urban spaces, he
designed the Loyola
Memorial Park in Marikina
City and the Paco Park and
Rizal Park in Manila, as well
as the Tagaytay Highlands in
Cavite and the Crystal
Springs (a mountain spa) in
Los Baos, Laguna.

 Santos-Viola, Carlos A.

A well known
kapilya designer,
Santos-Viola used to work
for Juan Nakpil &
Associate. The first chapel
of the Christian
evangelical group Iglesia
ni Cristo that he designed
was the Cubao chapel,
which marked the start of
his long-lasting work
relationship with the INC,
he was a devout Catholic
throughout his entire
life.

 Aalto Alvar
(1898-1976)

A finnish modern
architect, Aalto displayed in
his works a carefully crafted
balance of intricate and
complex forms, spaces, and
elements. Among his works
are Bell Tower in Kauhajol,
Municipal Hospital in Alajol,
Vlipuri Library, Defense Corps
Building, Helsinki University of
Technology, and Helsinki
House of Culture, all in
Finland, and Baker House,
Massachusetts Institute of
technology, Cambridge,
Massachusetts.

 Boehm, Gottfried

A German architect,
Boehm worked for Rudolf
Schwarz, another
prominent German
church architect. Among
his major Zublin Office
Building (1985) in
Stuttgart, Town Hall in
Bernsberg, Municipal
Building in Rheinberg,
Restaurant in Bad
Kreuznach, Deutsche
Bank in Luxembourg, and
Public Library (2004) in
Ulm, all in Germany.

 Gropius, Walter
(1883-1969)

A German architect,
Gropius designed the
Bauhaus in Dessau,
Germany and Harvard
Graduate Center in
Cambridge and Harvard
Graduate Center in
Cambridge,
Massachusetts.

 Loos, Adolf
(1870-1933)

An Austrian architect,
Loos was one of the most
important pioneers of the
modern movement in
architecture. Among his
major works are Caf
Museum, Wohnung
Leopold Langer,
Wohnung Rudolf Kraus,
Steiner House, Scheu
House, Horner House,
Rufer House, and Villa
Stross, all in Vienna
Austria.

 Maki, fumihiko

A Japanese architect,
Maki is a major figure in
Japanese architecture
because of his
architectural and urban
design and his
contributions to
architectural theory.
Some of his major works
are Hillside Terrace
Apartment Complex in
Fujisawa, National
Museum of Modern Art in
Kyoto, and Tokoyo
Church of Christ, all in
Japan.

Roche, Kevin
One of the founders of the
firm Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo,
and Associates, Roche produced
some of contemporary America's
most significant and influential
civic and corporate architecture.
A number of his major works are
Oakland Museum of California in
Oakland, Ford Foundation
Building in New York City, Knights
of Columbus Building in New
Haven, Connecticut, United
Nations Plaza in New York City,
Fine Arts Center of University of
Massachusetts in Amherst,
|National Aquarium in Baltimore,
Maryland, Quincy Market in
Boston, Massachusetts, and
many buildings on the campus of
Rochester Institute of Technology
in Rochester, New York.

 Rossi, Aldo

One of the most

influential architects during
the period 1975-1988, Rossi
recognized internationally in
the ares of theory, drawing,
and architecture. His major
works include the Asaba
Design Studio in Tokyo,
University of Castellanza in
Castellanza, San Carlo alla
Barona Church in Milan,
Canary Wharf Office Complex
in London, Pallazo del Cinema
in Venice, City Center in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, and Disney
Office Complex and
Celebration in Disneyland,
Orlando.

Saarinen, Eliel
(1873-1950)
A Finnish architect, Saarinen
has a career spanning for 50
years and divided into two parts:
hthe first phase when he was a
practitioner in Finland for 25
years and the second phase when
he emigrated to the United
States in 1923 and stayed there.
Finnish Pavilion at the Exposition
Universelle in Paris, Clubhouse of
Luther Factory in Tallinn, Estonia,
Lahti Town Hall in Finland, Saint
Paul's Church in Tartu, Estonia,
First Christian Church in
Columbus, Indiana, Christ Center
in Fenton, Michigan are some of
his majot works.

 Scarpa, Carlo

An enigmatic character
in the history of modern
architecture and design,
Scarpa did designs studied
and patterned after by
architects and students
throughout the world. His
major works include Palazzo
Chiaramonte in Palermo,
Palazzo Ca Foscari in
Venice, Veritti Housein
Udine, Galleria degli Uffizi in
Florence, Showroom of
Olivetti, Scatturin House,
and Balbono House, all in
Italy.

 Siza, Alvaro

A Portuguese architect,
Siza is one of the bestknown architects in
Portugal of the 20th century.
He produced numerous
projects for clients in
Portugal (houses, schools,
and other institutions) and
designed the Residential
Complex Schilderqijk West
in the Hague, Netherlands
and Centro Galiziano
(Museum of Modern Art) in
Santiago de Compostela,
Spain.

 Wright, Frank Llyod

(1869-1959)

A world-renowned
American architect, Wright
is one of the architects in
the world whose designs
are studied by students and
professionals in the field.
Among his major works are
Kauffman |House in Bear
Run, Pennyslvannia,
Geggenheim Meseum in
New York, Johnson Wax
Building in Wisconsin and
Unity Church in Oak Park
Illinois.