Phillippines Vernacular Architecture

VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
OF PHILIPPINES
SUBMITTED TO :
AR.KAJAL
HANDA
SUBMITTED BY :
ANAHAT KALEKA
Sem-9 (21003)
CERTIFICATE
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled REPORT ON PHILIPPINES is

a record of the bona fide work done by Ms. Anahat kaleka , roll no.
21003 , under the supervision and guidance of Ar. Kajal Arshi .
This project is submitted to the architecture department of P.T.U. Giani
Zail Singh Campus, Bathinda in partial fulfilment of the requirements for
the award of the degree of Bachelors of Architecture during the year
2014.
Ar. Bhupinder Pal Singh

Head of Department
Department of Architecture
Ar. Kajal Arshi

Supervisor
Lecturer Prof.
Department of Architecture
PHILIPPINES VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I WISH TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO AR. KAJAL ARSHI ,

SUBJECT TEACHER FOR PROVIDING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
UNDER HER AND HELPING ME IN COMPLETING THE REPORT OF
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE ON THE TOPIC SIKKIM.
I SINCERELY THANK ARCHI 2K10 BATCH FOR THEIR SUPPORT
AND ENCOURAGEMENT IN CARRYING OUT THIS PROJECT WORK. I
ALSO WISH TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO THE OFFICIALS AND
OTHER STAFF MEMBERS OF ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT WHO
RENDERED THEIR HELP DURING THE PERIOD OF MY PROJECT WORK.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK AR. BHUPINDER PAL SINGH H.O.D. OF
ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT FOR PROVIDING ME SUCH FACILITY
WHO GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO EMBARK ON THIS PROJECT.
II
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 location
1.2 geography
1.3 climate
1.4 religion
1.5 language
1.6 ethnic tradition
1.7 general characteristics
CHAPTER 2 ETHNIC
ARCHITECTURE
2.1 characteristics of ethnic
houses
2.2 types of houses
2.3 ifugao houses
2.3.1 origin
2.3.2 types of ifugao houses
2.3.3 section of ifugao
houses
2.3.4 architectural design
2.3.5 functionality
2.3.6 -- engineering principles
2.3.7 sources of materials
2.4 ivantan houses
2.4.1 location
2.4.2 -- materials used
2.4.3 area of ivantan house
2.4.4 types of ivantan house
2.4.5 variation of ivantan
houses
4
III
CONTENTS
2.4.6 architectural timeline

2.4.7 -- classification of ivantan
houses
2.5 octagonal kalinga houses
2.5.1 -- location
2.5.2 planning
2.5.3 rectangular kalinga houses
2.5.4 planning
2.5.5 -- spaces
2.6 -- bontoc house
2.6.1 location
2.6.2 planning
2.7 -- isneg house
2.7.1 location
2.7.2 materials
2.8 kankanay house
2.8.1 location
2.8.2 planning
2.8.3 community planning
2.9 -- bahay kubo
2.9.1 location
2.9.2 planning
2.9.3 materials
2.9.4 characteristics
2.9.5 history
2.9.6 parts of bahay kubo house
5
IV
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURES
FIG 1 -- LOCATION MAP OF PHILIPPINES

FIG 2 -- MAP SHOWING TOPOGRAPHY OF PHILIPPINES
FIG 3 MAP SHOWING CLIMATE OF PHILIPPINES
FIG 4 MAP SHOWING TYPHOON RATE IN PHILIPPINES
FIG 5 RELIGIONS IN PHILIPPINES
FIG 6 LANGUAGES IN PHILIPPINES
FIG 7 ETHNIC HOUSE
FIG 8 ETHNIC HOUSE
FIG 9 -- IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 10 IVANTAN HOUSE
FIG 11 ISNEG HOUSE
FIG 12 OCTOGONAL KALINGA HOUSE
FIG 13 RECTANGULAR KALINGA HOUSE
FIG 14 BONTOC HOUSE
FIG 15 KANKANAY HOUSE
FIG 16 BAHAY KUBO HOUSE
FIG 17 IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 18 LOCATION OF IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 19 IFUGAO HOUSE IN IFUGAO HISTORICAL VILLAGE
FIG 20 BALE ( TYPE OF IFUGAO HOUSE )
FIG 21 ALANG ( TYPE OF IFUGAO HOUSE )
FIG 22 SECTION OF IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 23 STRUCTURAL FRAME OF IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 24 ROOF TIP FROM INSIDE THE IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 25 PARTS OF IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 26 PLAN , ELEVATION & SECTION OF IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 27 FUNCTIONALITY OF IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 28 FOOTING DETAIL OF IFUGAO HOUSE
FIG 29 VIEW OF IFUGAO HOUSE
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LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURES
FIG 30 -- STRUCTURAL MATERIAL
PAGE NO.
PG 17
FIG 31 -- WALLS , DOOR , ETC MATERIAL
PG 17
FIG 32 -- ROOFING MATERIAL
PG 17
FIG 33 -- IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 18
FIG 34 -- LOCATION MAP OF BATANES
PG 18
FIG 35 -- MAP OF BATANES
PG 18
FIG 36 -- TYPES OF IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 19
FIG 37 W T IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 20
FIG 38 -- LSWT IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 20
FIG 39 -- LAGATITI (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 21
FIG 40 -- RAHAUNG (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 21
FIG 41 -- CHIVUVUHANG (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 21
FIG 42 NIRIDI (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 21
FIG 43 MAYHURAHED (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 21
FIG 44 SINADUMPARAN (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 22
FIG 45 -- SINADUMPARAN WITH CROWN (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 22
FIG 46 BEATERIO (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 22
FIG 47 -- MAYTUAB/NITUAVAN (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 22
FIG 48 -- LARGE COLONIAL HOUSE (IVANTAN HOUSE)
PG 22
FIG 49 -- FLOOR PLAN , ELEVATION &SECTION OF WT IVANTAN HOUSE PG 23
FIG 50 -- CONSTRUCTION METHOD OF WT IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 24
FIG 51 -- PARTS OF WT IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 25
FIG 52 WT IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 25
FIG 53 LSWT IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 25
FIG 54 -- PARTS OF LSWT IVANTAN HOUSE
PG 25
FIG 55 -- ARIAL VIEW OF IVANTAN VILLAGE
PG 26
FIG 56 VILLAGE LAYOUT OF IVANTAN VILLAGE
PG 26
FIG 57 -- OCTOGONAL KALINGA HOUSE
PG 27
FIG 58 -- LOCATION OF KALINGA HOUSES
PG -- 27
VI
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURES
FIG 59 -- PLAN OF OCTOGONAL KALINGA HOUSE
PG 28
FIG 60 -- RECTANGULAR KALINGA HOUSE
PG 29
FIG 61 -- RECTANGULAR KALINGA HOUSE
PG 29
FIG 62 -- SECTION OF OCTOGONAL KALINGA HOUSE
PG -- 30
FIG 63 -- FUNCTIONALITY OF KALINGA HOUSE
PG 31
FIG 64 -- KALINGA HOUSE
PG 31
FIG 65 -- BONTOC HOUSE
PG 32
FIG 66 LOCATION OF MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
PG 32
FIG 67 -- LOCATION OF BONTOC
PG 32
FIG 68 -- PLAN OF BONTOC HOUSE
PG 33
FIG 69 -- ISNEG HOUSE
PG 34
FIG 70 -- LOCATION MAP OF ISNEG HOUSES
PG 34
FIG 71 -- UNDERPINNING DETAIL OF ISNEG HOUSE
PG 35
FIG 72 -- ISNEG HOUSE
PG 35
FIG 73 -- KANKANAY HOUSE
PG 36
FIG 74 LOCATION MAP OF KANKANAY HOUSES
PG 36
FIG 75 -- SECTION OF KANKANAY HOUSE
PG 37
FIG 76 -- VIEW OF KANKANAY HOUSE
PG 38
FIG 77 -- BAHAY KUBO HOUSE
PG 39
FIG 78 -- LOCATION OF BAHAY KUBO HOUSE
PG 39
FIG 79 -- PLAN , ELEVATION &VIEW OF BAHAY KUBO HOUSE
PG 40
FIG 80 PARTS OF BAHAY KUBO HOUSE
PG -- 43
PAGE NO.
VII
ABSTRACT
PHILIPPINES OFFICIALLY KNOWN AS THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, IS A

SOVEREIGN ISLAND COUNTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SITUATED IN THE
WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN. IT CONSISTS OF 7,107 ISLANDS
THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES (FILIPINO: ARKITEKTURANG PILIPINO)
IS A REFLECTION OF THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF THE COUNTRY. THE MOST
PROMINENT HISTORIC CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE ARCHIPELAGO ARE BASED ON A
MIX OF INDIAN, JAPANESE, CHINESE, INDIGENOUS AUSTRONESIAN , AMERICAN
AND SPANISH INFLUENCES.
THE PRE-COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES CONSISTED OF
THE NIPA HUT MADE FROM NATURAL MATERIALS BUT THERE ARE SOME TRACES
OF LARGE-SCALE CONSTRUCTION BEFORE THE SPANISH COLONIZERS CAME
BUT NOT WELL DOCUMENTED. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE PRE-COLONIAL
WALLED CITY OF MANILA ALTHOUGH LATER AFTER THE SPANISH COLONIZATION,
DISMANTLED BY THE SPANIARDS AND REBUILT AS INTRAMUROS.
IN THIS REPORT I AM DISCUSSING THE PRE COLONIAL PHILIPPINES
ARCHITECTURE.
VIII
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 LOCATION OF PHILIPPINES
THE COUNTRY OF PHILIPPINES IS
IN THE ASIA CONTINENT AND THE
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE FOR THE
COUNTRY ARE 11.8728 N, 122.8613 E.
PHILIPPINES
MADE UP OF ABOUT 7,100 ISLANDS,

THE PHILIPPINES IS ON THE
WORLD
SOUTHEASTERN RIM OF ASIA AND IS

BORDERED BY
THE PHILIPPINE SEA ON THE EAST,
THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON THE
WEST,
THE LUZON STRAIT ON THE NORTH,
THE CELEBES SEA ON THE SOUTH.
KEY FACTS
TOTAL AREA
300,000 KM2 (64 TH

LARGEST COUNTRY )
WATER (%)
0.61 (INLAND WATERS)
LAND
POPULATIO
N
CAPITAL
298,170 KM2
115,120 SQ MI
105.7 MILLION
MANILA
1.2 GEOGRAPHY OF PHILIPPINES

THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE PHILIPPINES
IS LARGELY MOUNTAINOUS WITH
EXTENSIVE COASTAL LOWLANDS.
THE LARGER ISLANDS HAVE A MORE
DIVERSIFIED LANDSCAPE INCLUDING
FERTILE RIVER VALLEYS IN THE
INTERIOR FORMED BY VOLCANIC ACTION
IT IS BELIEVED THAT PALAWAN ISLAND
WAS THE FIRST PHILIPPINE ISLAND TO BE
INHABITED BY SOUTHEAST ASIAN
MIGRANTS DURING PREHISTORIC TIMES.
11
1.3 CLIMATE MAP OF PHILIPPINES

TYPE - I
THE PHILIPPINES IS HOT YEAR-ROUND

BUT SEA BREEZES CAN ADD FRESHNESS
DURING THE WINTER (NOVEMBER TO
FEBRUARY).
THE TYPHOON SEASON LASTS FROM
AROUND JULY TO OCTOBER
THE TROPICAL CLIMATE

THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST
CLIMATE
THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF

THIS CLIMATE ARE:
BECAUSE OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL

LOCATION ON THE PLANET, THE
PHILIPPINES HAS A "TROPICAL
RAINFOREST CLIMATE" ALL OVER
THE COUNTRY.
RAINY SEASON AND MONSOON

1THOUGH SOME RAINFALL CAN BE
EXPECTED IN EVERY MONTH, THE
RAINFALL DIFFERS GREATLY
THROUGH THE YEAR.
IN THE PERIOD JUNE - OCTOBER
IT'S RAINING CATS AND DOGS!
THE INFLUENCE OF THE
SOUTHWEST MONSOON IS VERY
CLEAR.
IN THE PERIOD DECEMBER - MAY
THERE IS NO MONSOON
ANYMORE. THE WIND, THE "TRADE
WIND", IS COMING FROM THE
NORTHEAST AND BRINGS HARDLY
RAINFALL.
HIGH TEMPERATURES
HIGH ATMOSPHERIC HUMIDITY
BOTH THE HIGH TEMPERATURES AND THE
HUMIDITY ARE THE WHOLE YEAR
THROUGH. IN THEORY RAINFALL CAN BE
EXPECTED IN EVERY MONTH OF THE
YEAR.
TYPHOONS
A THIRD CHARACTERISTIC FEATURE OF
THE CLIMATE OF THE PHILIPPINES IS THE
PRESENCE OF STRONG TYPHOONS. THE
PHILIPPINES IS TORTURED BY T YPHOONS
EVERY YEAR. IN THE WHOLE WESTERN
PACIFIC TYPHOONS OCCUR IN THE PERIOD
JUNE - NOVEMBER.
MONSOONS AND "TRADE WINDS"
THE MONSOON IS A VERY RAINY WIND
COMING FROM THE SOUTHWEST. THE
"TRADE WIND", COMING FROM THE
NORTHEAST, IS DOMINATING IN THE
PERIOD DECEMBER -MAY. IT'S A RATHER
'DRY' WIND AND BRINGS HARDLY ANY
RAINFALL.
REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE

CLIMATE FIGURES FOR CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
IN C
CITIES
AVERAGE PRECIPITATION IN CM
JANUARY
JULY
JANUARY
JULY
YEAR
MANILA, LUZON
26
27
40
197
TACLOBAN, LEYTE
26
27
28
16
238
TAGBILARAN,
BOHOL
26
28
12
13
143
1.4 RELIGIONS IN PHILIPPINES
4.29
0.08
2.45
RELIGION
4.6
2.7
1.35
86.6
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
PERCENTAGE (%)
1.5 LANGUAGES IN PHILIPPINES

THERE ARE TOTAL 175 INDIVIDUAL LANGUAGES IN THE PHILIPPINES, 171 OF
WHICH ARE LIVING LANGUAGES, WHILE 4 NO LONGER HAVE ANY KNOWN
SPEAKERS.
TOP 5 LANGUAGES
5
6
7
LANGUAGES
16
52
10
20
30
40
50
60
SPEAKERS IN MILLION
1.6 ETHENIC TRADITION
ETHNIC ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES REFERS TO DIFFERENT FORMS

OF FOLK AND VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE FOUND AMONG THE DIFFERENT
ETHNOLINGUISTIC COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY.
THESE FORMS INCLUDE DWELLINGS, WHETHER PERMANENT OR MAKESHIFT,

GRANARIES, FORTIFICATIONS, PLACES OF WORSHIP, AND OTHER TEMPORARY
STRUCTURES.
ETHNIC ARCHITECTURE IS CREATED BY THE DIFFERENT ETHNOLINGUISTIC

COMMUNITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, FROM LOWLAND COMMUNITIES TO
COMMUNITIES IN THE CORDILLERAS, THE VISAYAN ISLANDS, MINDANAO, AND
OTHER ADJACENT ISLANDS.
1.7 GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC

PILE CONSTRUCTION
THE HIP OR GABLE ROOF
THE USE OF MATERIALS AVAILABLE FROM THE ENVIRONMENT, SUCH AS WOOD,
VEGETATION, AND SOMETIMES MUD.
BAMBOO WHICH IS USED FOR POSTS, FLOORING, SIDING, ROOFING, AND MANY
OTHERS.
COCONUT WOOD AND FRONDS, BAKAWAN OR MANGROVE, SOME HARDWOODS,
PINEWOOD, AND STONES; COGON GRASS, NIPA, BANANA BARK AS ROOF
COVERINGS AND WALL SIDINGS.
RATTAN AND OTHER VINES FOR FASTENING.
1
6
CHAPTER 2 ETHNIC ARCHITECTURE

2.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF ETHENIC HOUSES
GENERAL PATTERN
STEEP THATCHED ROOFS TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE
ELEVATED ON POSTS OR STILTS FOR PROTECTION FROM THE EARTHS

DAMPNESS AND HUMIDITY
THEY HAVE SLATTED FLOORING TO LET IN THE COOL AIR FROM BELOW
IN THE LOWLANDS THEY USE BAMBOO, NIPA, AND COGON TO KEEP COOL
IN THE UPLANDS,THEY USE TIGHTLY FITTING SOLID PLANKS TO HELP KEEP IN

WARMTH.
MULTIPURPOSE ONE-ROOM STRUCTURE
LIGHT AND AIRY
COMFORTABLE AND FUNCTIONAL
DURABLE AND STRUCTURALLY STABLE.
2.2 TYPES OF HOUSES

HOUSES
KALINGA
ISNEG
IVANTAN
IFUGAO
BONTOC
BAHAY
KANKANAY
KUBO
RECTANGULAR
2.3
IFUGAO HOUSES
IFUGAO HOUSE BUILDING IS ONE OF THE

MOST ADMIRED ETHNIC ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGNS FOR HAVING EMPLOYED AN
INDIGENOUS SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTION
THAT IS MORE COMPLEX THAN ITS
SEEMING SIMPLICITY.
LOCATION OF
IFUGAO
HOUSES
2.3.1
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF IFUGAO HOUSES
MYTHICAL ORIGIN
THE FIRST HOUSE IN IFUGAO ORIGINATED FROM THE SKYWORLD. ONE DAY,
SKYWORLD GOD WIGAN LOOKED DOWN TO THE EARTHWORLD AND SAW THE
LUSH BUT UNINHABITED LAND OF KAY-ANG (NOW KIANGAN). WHAT A PITY SUCH
FERTILE LAND IS DESOLATE, HE SAID TO HIMSELF. HENCE, HE THOUGHT OUT A
PLAN TO POPULATE THE PLACE. THAT NIGHT HE MADE A HOUSE AND FILLED IT
WITH RICE. THEN, HE MADE SEVERAL CAGES, PUT IN A COUPLE OF CHICKEN,
AND HUNG IT AT THE SIDES OF THE HOUSES' FLOOR BEAMS. HE TIED PIGS TOO
ON THE POSTS. HAVING ENSURED THAT EVERYTHING IS SET, HE CARRIED HIS
SLEEPING CHILDREN, CABBIGAT AND BUGAN, AND BROUGHT THEM INSIDE THE
HOUSE. AFTER WHISPERING FAREWELL TO HIS CHILDREN, HE CAREFULLY
BROUGHT DOWN THE HOUSE TO THE RIVERSIDE SIDE IN KAY-ANG. IN THE
MORNING, CABBIGAT AND BUGAN WOKE UP AND REALIZED THEY WERE IN A
STRANGE PLACE. HOUSE BUILDING WAS, THUS, INITIATED BY THE GODS. THE
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL WAS PASSED ON TO THE HUMAN BEINGS AND LATER
ENHANCED THE TECHNOLOGY TO SUIT THEIR NEEDS AND PREFERENCES.
10
2.3.2
TYPES OF IFUGAO HOUSES
ABONG-WHICH IS BASICALLY AHUT BUILT DIRECTLY ON THE GROUND.

- OPERATE AS TEMPORARY SHELTERS WHEN WORKING IN THE RICE FIELDS
OR SWIDDEN FARMS.
-SERVE AS A PERMANENT RESIDENCE ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO
CANNOT AFFORD TO CONSTRUCT
INAPPAL-WHICHISSLIGHTLY ELEVATED FROM THE GROUND
-SERVE AS A PERMANENT RESIDENCE ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO
CANNOT AFFORD TO CONSTRUCT
BALE
- IS ELEVATED FROM THE GROUND BY FOUR STURDY POSTS ABOUT 10 TO
12 FEET HIGH
-USED AS THE FAMILYS DWELLING UNIT.
ALANG-GRANARY HOUSE WHICH IS USUALLY LOCATED NEAR THE RICE FIELDS
-UTILIZED FOR STORING DRIED HARVESTED RICE
-IS USED AS A GRAVE OR TO KEEP EXHUMED BONES OF A FAMILY MEMBER
OR RELATIVE
BALE
ALANG
11
2.3.3
SECTION OF IFUGAO HOUSES
12
2.3.4
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF IFUGAO HOUSES
STRUCTURALFRAME
ON THE OUTSIDE, THE IFUGAO HOUSE SEEMS TO BE NOTHING BUT A
WINDOWLESS PYRAMIDAL STRUCTURE RESTING ON FOUR POSTS.
A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE STRUCTURE HOWEVER, REVEALS A
COMPLEX TECHNOLOGY THAT RENDERS IT A TENSILE STRENGTH CAPABLE

OF WITHSTANDING DEVASTATING TYPHOONS, TORRENTIAL RAIN, AND
VIOLENT EARTHQUAKES.
IT IS CONSTRUCTED OUT OF CAREFULLY SELECTED INDIGENOUS TIMBERS
THAT ARE STURDILY MORTISED, PEGGED, AND LATCHED TO HOLD THE HOUSE
TOGETHER.
IN ITS ENTIRETY, NO NAILS AND BOLTS ARE USED FOR ALL CONNECTIONS.
ROOF
TIP
13
2.3.4
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF IFUGAO HOUSES
SIZEANDFLOORPLAN
THE IFUGAO HOUSE HAS A SQUARE FLOOR PLAN.
ALTHOUGH THE SIZE OF THE HOUSE IS DETERMINED BY THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF THE PEOPLE
AN AVERAGE IFUGAO HOUSE IS APPROXIMATELY 12-14 FEET WIDE AND 1214 FEET LONG.
14
2.3.5
FUNCTIONABILITY OF IFUGAO HOUSES
DESPITE ITS BEING A ONE-ROOM

HOUSE, THE SPACE OF THE
IFUGAO HOUSE IS MULTIFUNCTIONAL.
IT DOES NOT ONLY SERVE AS A

SHELTER FROM ENVIRONMENTAL
ELEMENTS AND A PLACE TO
COOK, EAT AND SLEEP BUT FOR
OTHER PURPOSES AS WELL.
FUNCTIONAL LEVELS OF IFUGAO HOUSES

THE MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY OF THE IFUGAO HOUSEMAKES THE SPACE INSIDE
FLOW INTO THE OUTSIDE, INTO NATURE AND INTO THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE
IN THE COMMUNITY,
DAULON - IS A SPACE UNDER THE HOUSE. IT IS USED FOR A MIDDAY REST,
ENTERTAINING VISITORS, WEAVING, CARVING, AND ACCOMPLISHING HOUSEHOLD
TASKS. AT THE CENTER END OF THE GIRDERS ARE CRUDE CARVED DOG HEADS OR
WOODEN HOOKS THAT SERVE AS HANGERS. THE GROUND LEVEL SERVES AS A
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SPACE. IT BECOMES THE SETTING FOR WEDDINGS, WAKES,
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES, RELIGIOUS RITES AND OTHER LIFE-CYCLE CELEBRATIONS.
MAINLEVELIS THE FAMILYS LIVING ROOM, KITCHEN, AND BEDROOM. IT IS
ACCESSIBLE THROUGH A REMOVABLE LADDER. WITHIN THE SIDES OF THE MAIN
LEVEL ARE SHELVES, THAT SERVE AS STORAGE AREA FOR CLOTHES AND
BLANKETS AS WELL AS KITCHEN UTENSILS, FARM TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTS, AND
RITUAL PARAPHERNALIA
ATTIC - COMMONLY KNOWN AS PALAH. IT IS MADE BY LINING THE ATTIC BEAMS

WITH A STICK MAT KNOWN AS ATAG. THIS SPACE IS UTILIZED FOR STORING RICE.
15
2.3.6
ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES OF IFUGAO HOUSES
FOUNDATION OF IFUGAO HOUSES
A FLAT STONE BOULDER CALLED GOPNAD
AMONG THE TUWALI AND CHALIMUG AMONG THE

AYANGAN IS FIRMLY POSITIONED AT THE BOTTOM
OF THE HOLE WHERE THE POSTS ARE TO BE
ERECTED TO SERVE AS BEARING FOUNDATION.
THE STONE PREVENTS THE POST FROM SINKING
IN CASE THE SOIL IS SOFT. BESIDES THIS, THE

OUTWARD SPREADING OF THE POSTS' TRUNCATED ROOTS ACT AS AN EXCELLENT
FOOTING IN STEADYING THE STRUCTURE.
EARTHQUAKE PROOFING OF IFUGAO HOUSES

THE STONE BOULDER PLACED INSIDE EACH HOLE ACTS AS A ROLLER WHICH
ENABLES THE POSTS TO MOVE AND RESIST THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF
EARTHQUAKE TENSION.
INSULATION OF IFUGAO HOUSES

THE STEEPLY INCLINED PYRAMIDAL ROOF
IS COVERED WITH THICK LAYERS
OF COGON.
THIS INSULATES THE HOUSE FROM THE
HEAT OF THE SUN AND FROM TORRENTIAL
RAIN.
SOLAR HEAT IS SLOWLY TRANSMITTED
THROUGH THE THATCHED ROOFING AND
EXPOSED WALLS, THUS KEEPING THE
INTERIOR COOL BY DAY AND WARM AT
NIGHT.
16
2.3.7
SOURCE OF MATERIALS
RAW MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION ARE DERIVED OUT OF

ORGANIC MATTER, FROM SURROUNDING GRASSES, TREES, AND
VINES. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FROM THE PROCESSING OF THESE
MATERIALS INTO USABLE ELEMENTS IS, THEREFORE MINIMAL.
THATCH ROOF
STRUCTURE
DOORS , STAIRS ,
DECORATIONS
17
2.4
IVANTAN HOUSES
THE IVATAN HOUSE IS A UNIQUE

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPED IN
THE PROVINCE OF BATANES.
BATANES COMPRISES OF GROUP OF

ISLANDS
NAMELY
ITBAYAT
THIS AREA IS VISITED BY
BATAN
NUMEROUS TYPHOONS AND
SABTANG
OTHERS INHABITABLE
LOCATION OF IVANTAN HOUSE
EARTHQUAKES THAT ON AN
AVERAGE OF EIGHT TIMES A
YEAR .
PHILLIPPINES
BATANES
18
2.4.1
MATERIALS USED FOR IVANTAN HOUSES
MOST OF THE IVATAN HOUSES ARE BUILT WITH:

LIMESTONE WALLS
REED
COGON ROOFS
2.4.2
AREAS OF IVANTAN HOUSE
ITS COMPACT STRUCTURE IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR AREAS:

THE MAIN HOUSE,
THE COOKING HOUSE,
TOILET
BATHHOUSE.
2.4.3
TYPES OF IVANTAN HOUSE
SINADUMPARAN - IT IS A ONE-STOREY STRUCTURE WITH A PARTIALLY

SUBMERGED BASEMENT THAT FUNCTIONS AS A STORAGE AREA
RAKUH - HAS BIGGER FLOOR AREA WITH A LOWER LEVEL WHICH FUNCTIONS
AS THE STORAGE AREA. THE WALLS ARE MADE OF LIME MORTAR THAT BINDS
THE STONES OF DIFFERENT SIZES. IT HAS TWO DOORS AND THREE WINDOWS.
JIN-JIN - HAS WALLS MADE OF WOVEN COGON THATCH WITH BAMBOO OR
WOOD FRAMEWORK. THE ROOF IS MADE WITH THE DISTINCTIVE IVATAN MULTILAYERED COGON SYSTEM.
19
2.4.4
VARIATIONS OF IVANTAN HOUSES
THERE ARE SEVERAL VARIATIONS OF THE IVATAN HERITAGE HOUSES.ARE :

THE WOOD-AND-THATCH (WT) STRUCTURES,
LIME-STONE-WOOD-AND-THATCH (LSWT) STRUCTURES.
WT (WOOD-AND-THATCH)
THESE STRUCTURES USE THATCH, WOOD PLANKS,
WOOD STUDS, REEDS, OR A COMBINATION OF THESE.

THEY ARE USUALLY SMALLER AND BUILT WITH LESS
HEIGHT COMPARED TO THOSE MADE OF STONE WALLS.
THESE ARE LIMITED TO SINGLE STORY STRUCTURES.
MOST WT STRUCTURES ARE USED AS STORAGE OR KITCHEN AREAS.
THE WT STRUCTURES MAY SERVE AS TEMPORARY DWELLINGS DURING HARVEST
SEASON FOR FISHING AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
LSWT (LIME-STONE-WOOD-AND-THATCH)
THESE STRUCTURES USE STONES OF VARYING SIZE
FROM GRAVEL TO BOULDERS.
DIFFERENT STONES ARE USED INCLUDING VOLCANIC,
BASALT, METAMORPHIC, AND THE LIKE. CORAL STONES ARE ALSO COMMONLY
USED PARTICULARLY IN AREAS CLOSE TO THE SEA.
STONES ARE PILED AND BOUND TOGETHER BY APPLYING LIME MORTAR, FORMING
A STRONG, INTERLOCKING EDIFICE.
THE BUILDING SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR A LARGER FLOOR AREA AND A TWO-STOREY
FRAME.
DURING THE RAINY SEASON, THE LOWER LEVEL IS USUALLY USED AS STORAGE
FOR FOOD AND AS SHELTER FOR ANIMALS.
DURING SUMMER, IT IS USED FOR STORAGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS SUCH
AS YAM, SWEET POTATO, WOOD AND CHARCOAL WHILE THE UPPER LEVEL IS USED
AS THE MAIN LIVING QUARTERS. A WOOD FLOOR SEPARATES THE TWO LEVELS.
20
2.4.4
Archetype
Class
ificati
on
Description
Use
LAGATITI
EA, W
T
Type o f Shelter Only

Found in Itbayat Island
For Taking Refuge

from Heat and
Rain
RAHAUNG
EA, W
T
Common Shelter found

all Over Batanes
For Taking Refuge

from Heat and
Rain
JINJIN/GINGIN/CHI
VUVUHUNG
EA, W
T
Improvement o f the
Rahaung
Used as Kitchen o
r Dwelling Units
NIRIDI
EA, W
T
Variation o f the Jinjin

with W all Planks
Used as Kitchen o
r Dwelling Units
MAYHURAHED
EA, W
T
Jinjin with S tone Base
Used as Kitchen o
r Dwelling Units
21
2.4.4
Archetype
Classific
ation
Description
Use
SINADUMPARAN
FA,
LSWT
Improvem ent o f W T
Structures/Walls are
made o f Stone and
Lime
Used as
Kitchen o r
Dwelling
Units
SINADUMPARAN
WITH CROWN
FA,
LSWT
Improvement o f
Sinadumparan
/Triangular Walls have F
lashing
Used as
Kitchen o r
Dwelling
Units
SINADUMPARAN-ABINEDBERAN
FA,
LSWT
Improvement o f the
Sinadumparan/ Thatch
Roof E xtends O ver
Triangular W alls
Used as
Dwelling
Units
BEATERIO
FA,
LSWT
Improvement o f the S
inadumparan / Roof
Material Made of Clay
Tiles
Origin ally
Used as
Nun's
Convent
MAYTUAB/NITUAVAN
FA,
LSWT
Improvement o f the
Sinadumparan / Roof
has Four Slopes Instead
of
Two
Used as
Dwelling
Units
LARGE COLONIAL
HOUSE
FA,
LSWT
Improvement of the
Maytuab /Integration o
f Balconies and Large
Receiving Areas
Used as
Dwelling
Units
22
WT IVANTAN HOUSE
23
CONSTRUCTION METHOD OF IVANTAN HOUSE
24
COMPARISON BETWEEN WT AND LSWT IVANTAN HOUSE
25
2.4.5 VILLAGE LAYOUT
INHABITANTS CONCENTRATED IN VILLAGES ON THE ISLANDS OUTER

CIRCUMFERENCE, THE INTERIOR BEING PLANTED TO VARIOUS CROPS.
26
2.5OCTAGONAL KALINGA HOUSES

THE OCTAGONAL HOUSE CALLED
BINAYON OR FINARYON IS FOUND IN
UPPER KALINGA, IN SETTLEMENTS ALONG
THE CHICO RIVER.
IT IS NOT, HOWEVER, THE ONLY HOUSE
TYPE IN THE REGION. RECTANGULAR
HOUSES ARE JUST AS COMMON, IF NOT
MORE COMMON. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED
THAT THE OCTAGONAL HOUSES WERE
HOUSES OF THE RICH.
LOCATION OF KALINGA HOUSES

THESE ARE THE HOUSES OF THE
MOUNTAIN INLAND REGION OF
PHILIPPINES.
KALINGA
27
2.5.1PLANNING OF OCTAGONAL KALINGA HOUSES

THE KALINGA HOUSE IS NOT AN
EQUILATERAL OCTAGON, THE
FOUR DIAGONAL WALLS BEING
SHORTER THAN THE FRONT, BACK
AND SIDE WALLS.
THE OCTAGONAL HOUSE IS
ABOUT 6.00 M. LONG AND 5.20 M.
WIDE.
THE FLOOR OF THE LIVING
QUARTERS IS 1.20 M.
THE HEIGHT FROM THE
GROUND TO THE ROOF RIDGE IS
ABOUT 4.50 M.
THE VISITOR ENTERS THE
HOUSE THROUGH A LADDER
LEADING TO A NARROW
PLATFORM ON THE FRONT WALL.
A LOW DOOR OPENS TO THE
PLATFORM. BESIDE THE LADDER,
ON THE LEFT WALL DIAGONAL TO
THE FRONT WALL, A DOOR AT
GROUND LEVEL OPENS INTO A
SMALL GROUND LEVEL WORKING
SPACE WITHIN THE HOUSE.
OPPOSITE THE FRONT DOOR, ON THE BACK WALL IS ANOTHER DOOR.
THE WALLS FROM FLOOR LEVEL TO EAVES ARE OF WOODEN BOARDS PLACED
VERTICALLY. FROM GROUND LEVEL TO FLOOR LEVEL, THE WALLS ARE OF
PLAITED BAMBOO OR SAWALI. LOGS ARE PILED AGAINST THE LOWER SECTION OF
THE WALL.
THE FLOOR IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PARALLEL SECTIONS RUNNING FRONT
TO BACK, THE CENTRAL PORTION BEING LOWER THAN THE SIDES.
TO THE LEFT, AS ONE ENTERS THE HOUSE, AND TOWARDS THE REAR, IS THE
FIREPLACE SLIGHTLY RAISED ABOVE FLOOR LEVEL.
28
2.5.2PLANNING OF RECTANGULAR KALINGA HOUSES

THE TRADITIONAL HOUSE IN LOWER
KALINGA IS ABOUT 6.00 M. LONG, 5.00 M.
WIDE AND 5.75 M. HIGH FROM GROUND
TO ROOF RIDGE.
THE ROOF IS GABLED AND ITS RIDGE IS
PARALLEL TO THE SIDES OF THE HOUSE.
HOUSES ARE GENERALLY LOCATED NEAR
THE RIVER, AND THE ROOF RIDGE, WHICH
MARKS THE AXIS OF THE HOUSE, DOES
NOT FOLLOW THE DOWNSTREAM FLOW
OF THE RIVER, BUT RATHER LIES
CROSSWISE, CROSSING IT, AS IT WERE,
LIKE A DAM, IN ORDER TO PREVENT
MISFORTUNE.
THE FLOOR RISES ABOUT 1.50 M. ABOVE GROUND LEVEL; A LADDER CONNECTS IT
TO THE GROUND
THE WALLS FROM GROUND TO FLOOR LEVEL ARE OF HORIZONTALLY LAID BAMBOO
POLES, AND FROM FLOOR TO EAVES LEVEL ARE OF VERTICALLY SET WOODEN
BOARDS. IN FRONT AND AT THE BACK, THE WOODEN WALLS END AT HEIGHT OF
ABOUT 2.50 M., AND FROM THERE ON TO THE ROOF RIDGE HORIZONTALLY LAID
BAMBOO SLATS COVER THE GABLES.
ANOTHER KIND OF ROOF IS MADE OF
BAMBOO. HALVED BAMBOO IS LAID ONE OVER
THE OTHER IN CONCAVE-CONVEX FASHION.
IN THE KINIMPAL STYLE OF ROOFING,
SEVERAL LAYERS OF BAMBOO ARE USED; THE
PIECES ARE SHORTER AT THE EAVES,
BECOMING LONGER TOWARDS THE CENTER
OF THE SLOPE, THEN BECOMING SHORTER
AGAIN TOWARDS THE RIDGE.
IN THE TINALOB STYLE, ONLY TWO LAYERS
OF BAMBOO ARE USED. THE ROOF RIDGE HAS
A THATCH COVER, BUBONG.
29
THE KALINGA TRADITIONAL HOUSE

THE TRADITIONAL KALINGA HOUSE, EITHER SQUARE OR RECTANGULAR, IS A
SINGLE ROOM WITH ELEVATED FLOORING. THE HOUSE INTERIOR HAS THREE
SECTIONS:
1) A SIDE SECTION CALLED "SIPI" WITH A SLEEPING BED FOR TWO PERSONS;
2) THE MIDDLE PORTION CALLED "LADAK" USUALLY DIVIDED INTO THREE
PARTS SLEEPING AREA, DINING AREA, AND RECEIVING AREA;
3) ANOTHER SIDE SECTION WHICH SERVES AS THE COOKING AREA AND AN
OPEN SPACE.
)THE COOKING AREA CALLED "DARPONG" IS A SQUARE-SHAPED RECEPTACLE
MADE OF WOODEN SLABS AND FILLED WITH HARD CLAY. IT SERVES AS THE
HEARTH. HERE, THREE PIECES OF STONES FORMING A TRIANGLE HOLD POTS
FOR COOKING.
)ABOVE THE "DARPONG" IS A "SU-UGAN" OR A DRYING MAT FOR PALAY. THE
OPEN SPACE SERVES AS HE POUNDING AREA DURING THE RAINY SEASON OR
AT NIGHT TIME.
)THE "DUGO," THE SPACE UNDERNEATH THE FLOORING, SERVES AS A
UTILITY AREA FOR STACKING FIREWOOD, STORAGE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS,
ETC. THE HOUSE CONSISTS OF COGON FOR ROOFING; SPLIT BAMBOO FOR
FLOORING; SPLICED AND WOVEN BAMBOO FOR THE WALLS. IT HAS TWO
MAIN DOORS ONE LEADING TO THE HOUSE PROPER AND THE OTHER
LEADING TO THE "DUGO."
30
2.5.3PLANNING OF OCTAGONAL KALINGA HOUSES
THE KALINGA HOUSES UNIQUE FORM IS MADE POSSIBLE BY 12 SHORT POSTS:

FOUR INNER POSTS MARKING A SQUARE AT THE CENTER AND EIGHT OUTER
ONES FORMING AN OCTAGON. GIRDERS AND JOISTS PASSING OVER THESE
POSTS SUPPORT THE FLOOR LATHS, WHILE RABBETED BEAMS ON THE EIGHT
OUTER POSTS RECEIVE THE WALL BOARDS. FOUR TALL POSTS ARE MORTISED
ON TO INTERSECTIONS OF THE BEAMS AND JOISTS. THEY CARRY TWO
CROSSBEAMS, EACH OF WHICH SUPPORTS A PAIR OF QUEEN POSTS. THE
CROSSBEAMS THAT CONNECT THE TOPS OF THE QUEEN POSTS ALLOW
RAFTERS TO RISE IN A SLIGHT CURVE OVER THE ROOF BEAMS TO END AT
THREE RIDGEPOLES.
THESE KING POSTS PIERCE A HORIZONTAL BRACE AND SUPPORT THE INNER
ROOF RIDGE. RAFTERS RUN OVER THE BEAMS TO THIS INNER ROOF RIDGE,
OTON. PURLINS ON THE RAFTERS RECEIVE A RUNO SHEATH WOVEN WITH
RATTAN, AND OVER WHICH THATCH IS LAID. WHERE THATCH IS USED, RAFTERS
MAY BE CURVED OR BOWED.
31
2.6 BONTOC HOUSE

BONTOC IS DERIVED FROM THE TWO
MORPHEMES BUN (HEAP) AND TUK
(TOP), WHICH, TAKEN TOGETHER,
MEANS MOUNTAINS.
LOCATION OF BONTOC HOUSE
32
2.6.1PLANNING OF BONTOC HOUSE
IT IS ASQUARE PLAN
33
2.7 ISNEG HOUSE

HOUSE DESIGN APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN
INFLUENCED BY BOAT DESIGN.
THE ROOF OF THE ISNEG HOUSE
SUGGESTS AN INVERTED HULL, AND THE
FLOOR JOISTS WHICH ARE VISIBLE OUTSIDE
SUGGEST THE PROFILE OF A BOAT.
THE ISNEG HOUSE IS ABOUT 8.00M. LONG,
4.00M. WIDE, AND 5.50 M. HIGH FROM GROUND
LEVEL TO THE ROOF RIDGE.
2.7.1LOCATION OF ISNEG HOUSE
LOCATION
34
THE BINURON HOUSE RESTS ON A TOTAL OF 15 POSTS, WHICH ARE VISIBLE, THE
FLOOR BEING ABOUT 1.20 M. ABOVE THE GROUND. THE SLANTING WOODEN
WALLS ON THE SIDES ARE ABOUT 1.50 M. HIGH
FROM FLOOR TO EAVES. THE MAIN SECTION OF THE HOUSE HAS A GABLE ROOF
AND IS ABOUT 6.50M. LONG.
2.7.2 MATERIALS USED IN ISNEG HOUSE

POSTS,
GIRDERS,
JOISTS
AND WALLS
THE ROOF
WOOD
THATCH / BAMBOO
THE UNDERPINNING OF THE

HOUSE SHOW A DEFINITE
BOAT SHAPE
TO MAKE WINDOWS, THREE OR FOUR OF THE SIDE WALLS VERTICAL PLANKS

ARE REMOVED. INDEED WALLS ARE CONSTRUCTED IN SUCH A WAYTHAT AL THE
PLANKS CAN BE TAKEN OUT, THERE BY CONVERTING THE HOUSE INTO A ROOFED
PLATFORM FOR FESTIVE OCCASIONS.
35
2.8 KANKANAY HOUSE
THE KANKANAI HOUSE HAS A HIGH,

STEEP, HIPPEFROOF WITH THE
RIDGE PARALLEL TO THE FRONT.
THE ROOF DROPS, TO ABOUT 1.50
M. ABOVE THE GROUND,THEREBY
CONCEALING THE HOUSE CAGE.
2.8.1 LOCATION OF ISNEG HOUSE
LOCATION
36
2.8.3 KANKANAY HOUSE

THE ROOF RESTS ON THE UPPER FRAME OF THE HOUSE CAGE, AND THE HOUSE
CAGE IN TURN RESTS ON A THREE JOISTS-ON-TWO GIRDERS-ON-FOUR POSTS
STRUCTURE. UNDER THE HOUSE CAGE,
THE HOUSE CAGE MEASURESABOUT 4.000 BY 4.50 M. AND THE PLANK FLOOR,
ABOUT 7.00 BY 7.50 M. THE HEIGHT OF THE HOUSE FROM GROUND LEVEL TO ROOF
RIDGE IS SLIGHTLY OVER 6.00 M. THE KANKANAI HOUSE IS MADE OF NARRA OR
PINE.
THE SILL SUPPORTING THE FRONT WALL OF THE HOUSE CAGE EXTENDS TO THE
EAVES AND IS SUPPORTED AT EACH END BY A POST.
ON EACH SIDE A SHELF AT ABOUT WAIST HEIGHT, CUTS THE SLANTING WALL AND
EXTENDS TO THE ROOF, FORMING A CONTINUOUS ALCOVE WITH ITS RIDGE THE
HIGHROOF PROVIDES A SPACIOUS LOFT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE LIVING QUARTERS
37
WHILE THE INTERSECTIONS UNDER THE

ENDS OF THE ROOF RIDGE HAVE
OPENINGS FOR THE SMOKE TO ESCAPE,A
HOLE MIDWAY ON THE FRONT SLOPE OF
THE ROOF SERVES THE SAME PURPOSE.
OPENINGS
THE HOUSE HAS ONLY ONE ENTRANCE, THE FRONT DOOR, TO WHICH THE
VISITOR ASCENDS BY MEANS OF A SLENDER, DETACHABLE LADDER. THE DOOR
PANELS ARE DECORATED WITH VERTICAL FLUTINGS AND THE BEAMS AND JOISTS
WITH HORIZONTAL WAVE-LIKE FLUTINGS.
2.8.3 COMMUNITY PLANNING

THE KANKANAY VILLAGE WAS SET ON THE HUMP OF A HILL WHOSE
ELEVATION
AFFORDED A NATURAL DEFENSIVE ADVANTAGE AGAINST NEIGHBORING
GROUPS. TODAY, KANKANAY VILLAGES ARE LOCATED NEAR THE HEADWATERS
OF A STREAM OR RIVER, SINCE IRRIGATION WATER IS NEEDED FOR THE RICE
TERRACES. A TYPICAL VILLAGE OF THE NORTHERN KANKANAY OR LEPANTO
IGOROT WOULD HAVE AT LEAST 700 INHABITANTS, OCCUPYING A CLUSTER OF
SOME 150 HOUSES.
SLOPES OF HILLS OR MOUNTAINS ARE LEVELED TO ALLOW THE HOUSES TO
BE BUILT. NEAR THIS VILLAGE IS A SACRED GROVE OF TREES WHICH IS USED
AS A PLACE FOR RITUAL SACRIFICES OR PERFORMANCES. THE VILLAGE ALSO
INCLUDES THE RICE TERRACES WHOSE WALLS SERVE AS PATHWAYS, A
NEARBY PEAK WHICH SERVES AS A SACRED MOUNTAIN, CERTAIN PLACES
ON THE
OUTSKIRTS WHERE OMEN READING AND OTHER RITUALS MAY BE
OBSERVED, AND BURIAL PLACES ALONG THE CLIFFS AND SLOPES.
38
2.9 BAHAY KUBO HOUSE

THE BAHAY KUBO, BALAY, OR NIPA HUT,
IS A TYPE OF STILT HOUSE INDIGENOUS
TO MOST OF THE LOWLAND CULTURES OF
THE PHILIPPINES
THE FILIPINO TERM "BAHAY KUBO"
LITERALLY MEANS "CUBE HOUSE",
DESCRIBING THE SHAPE OF THE
DWELLING.
THE TERM "NIPA HUT", INTRODUCED
DURING THE PHILIPPINES' AMERICAN
COLONIAL ERA REFERS TO THE NIPA OR
ANAHAW THATCHING MATERIAL OFTEN
USED FOR THE ROOFS
2.9.1LOCATION
LOCATION
39
2.9.2 PLANNING
LIVING SPACE
THE MAIN LIVING AREA OF THE BAHAY KUBO IS DESIGNED TO LET IN AS MUCH
FRESH AIR AND NATURAL LIGHT AS POSSIBLE. SMALLER BAHAY KUBO WILL OFTEN
HAVE BAMBOO SLAT FLOORS WHICH ALLOW COOL AIR TO FLOW INTO THE LIVING
SPACE FROM THE SILONG BELOW (IN WHICH CASE THE SILONG IS NOT USUALLY
USED FOR ITEMS WHICH PRODUCE STRONG SMELLS), AND THE PARTICULAR
BAHAY KUBO MAY BE BUILT WITHOUT A KISAME (CEILING) SO THAT HOT AIR CAN
RISE STRAIGHT INTO THE LARGE AREA JUST BENEATH THE ROOF, AND OUT
THROUGH STRATEGICALLY PLACED VENTS THERE.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
THE WALLS OF THE LIVING AREA ARE MADE OF LIGHT MATERIALS - WITH POSTS,
WALLS, AND FLOORS TYPICALLY MADE OF WOOD OR BAMBOO AND OTHER LIGHT
MATERIALS.
TOPPED BY A THATCHED ROOF, OFTEN MADE OUT OF NIPA, ANAHAW OR SOME
OTHER LOCALLY PLENTIFUL PLANT.
40
2.9.4 CHARACTERISTICS
THREE-LAYERED STRUCTURE
WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS ARISING ONLY IN MODERN TIMES, MOST BAHAY KUBO
ARE RAISED ON STILTS SUCH THAT THE LIVING AREA HAS TO BE ACCESSED
THROUGH LADDERS. THIS NATURALLY DIVIDES THE BAHAY KUBO INTO THREE
AREAS: THE ACTUAL LIVING AREA IN THE MIDDLE, THE AREA BENEATH IT
(REFERRED TO IN TAGALOG AS THE "SILONG"), AND THE ROOF SPACE
("BUBUNGAN" IN TAGALOG), WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE SEPARATED FROM THE
LIVING AREA BY A CEILING ("KISAME" IN TAGALOG).
ROOF
THE TRADITIONAL ROOF SHAPE OF THE BAHAY KUBO IS TALL AND STEEPLY
PITCHED, ENDING IN LONG EAVES.A TALL ROOF CREATED SPACE ABOVE THE
LIVING AREA THROUGH WHICH WARM AIR COULD RISE, GIVING THE BAHAY
KUBO A NATURAL COOLING EFFECT EVEN DURING THE HOT SUMMER SEASON.
THE STEEP PITCH ALLOWED WATER TO FLOW DOWN QUICKLY AT THE HEIGHT
OF THE MONSOON SEASON WHILE THE LONG EAVES GAVE PEOPLE A LIMITED
SPACE TO MOVE ABOUT AROUND THE HOUSE'S EXTERIOR WHENEVER IT
RAINED.THE STEEP PITCH OF THE ROOFS ARE OFTEN USED TO EXPLAIN WHY
MANY BAHAY KUBO SURVIVED THE ASH FALL FROM THE MT. PINATUBO
ERUPTION, WHEN MORE MODERN HOUSES NOTORIOUSLY COLLAPSED FROM
THE WEIGHT OF THE ASH
SILONG
RAISED UP ON HARDWOOD STILTS WHICH SERVE AS THE MAIN POSTS OF THE
HOUSE, BAHAY KUBO HAVE A SILONG (THE TAGALOG WORD ALSO MEANS
"SHADOW") AREA UNDER THE LIVING SPACE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, THE
MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH ARE TO CREATE A BUFFER AREA FOR RISING
WATERS DURING FLOODS, AND TO PREVENT PESTS SUCH AS RATS FROM
GETTING UP TO THE LIVING AREA. THIS SECTION OF THE HOUSE IS OFTEN
USED FOR STORAGE, AND SOMETIMES FOR RAISING FARM ANIMALS,AND THUS
MAY OR MAY NOT BE FENCED OFF.
WALLS
THE WALLS ARE ALWAYS OF LIGHT MATERIAL SUCH AS WOOD, BAMBOO RODS,
OR BAMBOO MATS CALLED "SAWALI." AS SUCH, THEY TEND TO ALSO LET SOME
COOLNESS FLOW NATURALLY THROUGH THEM DURING HOT TIMES, AND KEEP
WARMTH IN DURING THE COLD WET SEASON. THE CUBE SHAPE DISTINCTIVE
OF THE BAHAY KUBO ARISES FROM THE FACT THAT IT IS EASIEST TO PRE-BUILD
THE WALLS AND THEN ATTACH THEM TO THE WOODEN STILT-POSTS THAT
SERVE AS THE CORNERS OF THE HOUSE. THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BAHAY
KUBO IS THEREFORE USUALLY MODULAR, WITH THE WOODEN STILTS
ESTABLISHED FIRST, A FLOOR FRAME BUILT NEXT, THEN WALL FRAMES, AND
FINALLY, THE ROOF.
41
2.9.5 CHARACTERISTICS
WINDOWS
IN ADDITION, BAHAY KUBO ARE TYPICALLY BUILT WITH LARGE WINDOWS, TO LET
IN MORE AIR AND NATURAL LIGHT. THE MOST TRADITIONAL ARE LARGE AWNING
WINDOWS, HELD OPEN BY A WOODEN ROD).SLIDING WINDOWS ARE ALSO
COMMON, MADE EITHER WITH PLAIN WOOD OR WITH WOODEN CAPIZ SHELL
FRAMES WHICH ALLOW SOME LIGHT TO ENTER THE LIVING AREA EVEN WITH THE
WINDOWS CLOSED. IN MORE RECENT DECADES INEXPENSIVE
JALOUSIE WINDOWS ALSO BECAME COMMONLY USED. IN LARGER EXAMPLES,
THE LARGE UPPER WINDOWS MAY BE AUGMENTED WITH SMALLER WINDOWS
CALLED VENTANILLAS (SPANISH FOR "LITTLE WINDOW) UNDERNEATH", WHICH
CAN BE OPENED TO LET IN ADDITIONAL AIR ON ESPECIALLY HOT DAYS.
BATALAN
SOME (BUT NOT ALL) BAHAY KUBO, ESPECIALLY ONE BUILT FOR LONG-TERM
RESICENCE, FEATURE A BATALAN "WET AREA" DISTINCT FROM OTHER SECTIONS
OF THE HOUSE - USUALLY JUTTING OUT SOMEWHAT FROM ONE OF THE WALLS.
SOMETIMES AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE LIVING AREA AND SOMETIMES AT
GROUND LEVEL, THE BATALAN CAN CONTAIN ANY COMBINATION OF COOKING AND
DISHWASHING AREA, BATHING AREA, AND IN SOME CASES, A LAVATORY.
2.9.6 HISTORY
NIPA HUTS WERE THE NATIVE HOUSES OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE
PHILIPPINES BEFORE THE SPANIARDS ARRIVED. THEY ARE STILL USED TODAY,
ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS. DIFFERENT ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS ARE
PRESENT AMONG THE DIFFERENT ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUPS IN THE
COUNTRY, ALTHOUGH ALL OF THEM CONFORM TO BEING STILT HOUSES,
SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES SUCH AS INDONESIA,
MALAYSIA, AND OTHER COUNTRIES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA.
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
A NIPA HUT IS AN ICON OF PHILIPPINE CULTURE AS IT REPRESENTS THE
FILIPINO VALUE OF BAYANIHAN, WHICH REFERS TO A SPIRIT OF COMMUNAL
UNITY OR EFFORT TO ACHIEVE A PARTICULAR OBJECTIVE.
42
2.9.7 PARTS OF BAHAY KUBO HOUSES
NORMALLY CUBIC IN SHAPE, THIS SHELTER IS RAISED ON STILTS OR POSTS OF

ONE TO TWO METERS DEPENDING ON THE AREA WHERE THE SAID SHELTER IS
CONSTRUCTED IT MAY BE ON SOLID GROUND, ON A HILLSIDE OR MOUNTAINSIDE,
OR IN SHALLOW WATER. RAISING THE INTERIOR FROM THE GROUND
SAFEGUARDS THE SHELTER'S INHABITANTS FROM FLOOD, AND FROM SNAKES
AND OTHER WILD ANIMALS.
43
BIBLIOGRAPHY
file:///D:/vernacular%20architecture/Bahay%20Kubo%20%28architecture%29%20
-%
20Wikipilipinas%20%20The%20Hip%20%27n%20Free%20Philippine%20Encycloped
ia.htm
file:///D:/
vernacular%20architecture/Early%20Architecture%20in%20the%20Philippines.htm
file:///D:/vernacular%20architecture/Ifugao%20House.htm
file:///D:/vernacular%20architecture/HISTORY%20of%20ARCHITECTURE.htm
file:///D:/vernacular%20architecture/Nipa%20hut%20-%20Wikipedia,%
20the%20free%20encyclopedia.htm
file:///D:/vernacular%20architecture/This%20Old%20House%20-%
20The%20Traditional%20Filipino%20House.htm
44

Phillippines Vernacular Architecture

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VERNACULAR

This is to certify that the project entitled REPORT ON PHILIPPINES is

Ar. Bhupinder Pal Singh

Ar. Kajal Arshi

PHILIPPINES VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

I WISH TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO AR. KAJAL ARSHI ,

PHILIPPINES VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

PHILIPPINES VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

2.4.6 architectural timeline

PHILIPPINES VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

FIG 1 -- LOCATION MAP OF PHILIPPINES

PHILIPPINES VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

FIG 31 -- WALLS , DOOR , ETC MATERIAL

FIG 32 -- ROOFING MATERIAL

FIG 33 -- IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 34 -- LOCATION MAP OF BATANES

FIG 35 -- MAP OF BATANES

FIG 36 -- TYPES OF IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 37 W T IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 38 -- LSWT IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 39 -- LAGATITI (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 40 -- RAHAUNG (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 41 -- CHIVUVUHANG (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 42 NIRIDI (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 43 MAYHURAHED (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 44 SINADUMPARAN (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 45 -- SINADUMPARAN WITH CROWN (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 46 BEATERIO (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 47 -- MAYTUAB/NITUAVAN (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 48 -- LARGE COLONIAL HOUSE (IVANTAN HOUSE)

FIG 49 -- FLOOR PLAN , ELEVATION &SECTION OF WT IVANTAN HOUSE PG 23

FIG 50 -- CONSTRUCTION METHOD OF WT IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 51 -- PARTS OF WT IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 52 WT IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 53 LSWT IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 54 -- PARTS OF LSWT IVANTAN HOUSE

FIG 55 -- ARIAL VIEW OF IVANTAN VILLAGE

FIG 56 VILLAGE LAYOUT OF IVANTAN VILLAGE

FIG 57 -- OCTOGONAL KALINGA HOUSE

FIG 58 -- LOCATION OF KALINGA HOUSES

PHILIPPINES VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

FIG 59 -- PLAN OF OCTOGONAL KALINGA HOUSE

FIG 60 -- RECTANGULAR KALINGA HOUSE

FIG 61 -- RECTANGULAR KALINGA HOUSE

FIG 62 -- SECTION OF OCTOGONAL KALINGA HOUSE

FIG 63 -- FUNCTIONALITY OF KALINGA HOUSE

FIG 64 -- KALINGA HOUSE

FIG 65 -- BONTOC HOUSE

FIG 66 LOCATION OF MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

FIG 67 -- LOCATION OF BONTOC

FIG 68 -- PLAN OF BONTOC HOUSE

FIG 69 -- ISNEG HOUSE

FIG 70 -- LOCATION MAP OF ISNEG HOUSES

FIG 71 -- UNDERPINNING DETAIL OF ISNEG HOUSE

FIG 72 -- ISNEG HOUSE

FIG 73 -- KANKANAY HOUSE

FIG 74 LOCATION MAP OF KANKANAY HOUSES

FIG 75 -- SECTION OF KANKANAY HOUSE

FIG 76 -- VIEW OF KANKANAY HOUSE

FIG 77 -- BAHAY KUBO HOUSE

FIG 78 -- LOCATION OF BAHAY KUBO HOUSE

FIG 79 -- PLAN , ELEVATION &VIEW OF BAHAY KUBO HOUSE

FIG 80 PARTS OF BAHAY KUBO HOUSE