Contemporary Philippine Architecture — Study Notes Flashcards

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Architecture

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The art and science of designing and planning buildings and other physical structures. It combines artistic elements and principles with scientific methods, mathematics, and logic to meet both functional and aesthetic requirements. Architecture aims to create durable, usable, and economical spaces that are also visually pleasing.

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Architect

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A person who practices architecture and is trained to design, plan, and oversee the construction of buildings and structures. Architects balance artistic vision with technical knowledge, safety standards, and client needs. They coordinate materials, structural systems, and aesthetics to realize built environments.

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Functional and Aesthetic

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Two primary purposes of architecture: functional aspects satisfy practical needs like safety, comfort, and utility, while aesthetic aspects address beauty, symbolism, and expression. Good architectural design integrates both to produce spaces that work well and inspire. Architects must reconcile these sometimes competing demands.

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Natural Materials

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Materials that occur in nature and have been used since ancient times, such as clay, stone, wood, twigs, and leaves. They are considered classical materials and are valued for their availability, traditional techniques, and ecological properties. Many Filipino vernacular houses utilize these materials for climate adaptation and cultural expression.

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Manmade Materials

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Synthetic or industrial materials manufactured through human processes, including structural steel and reinforced concrete. These materials offer predictable properties, greater strength, and uniformity, enabling larger spans and taller structures. Manmade materials have become central to modern construction techniques.

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Structural Steel

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A high-strength metal material used to construct building frameworks, available in various shapes such as I-beams. Structural steel is prized for its strength, durability, flexibility, and relative cost-effectiveness when forming a building’s skeleton. It allows long spans and rapid construction while resisting loads when properly detailed.

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I-beam

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A common structural steel shape characterized by a vertical web and horizontal flanges that form an "I" cross-section. The I-beam efficiently resists bending and shear forces in beams and girders, making it ideal for spanning large distances. It is widely used in building frames, bridges, and industrial structures.

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Reinforced Concrete

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Concrete in which steel reinforcement (usually rods or bars) is embedded to resist tensile forces that plain concrete cannot withstand. Concrete itself is a mixture of sand, gravel, and cement, strong in compression but weak in tension; steel reinforcement provides tensile strength and ductility. Reinforced concrete is durable and commonly used for foundations, columns, beams, and slabs.

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Structural Loads

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Forces that act on a structure causing stresses, deformations, and displacements; examples include gravity, wind, seismic forces, and live loads from people and furniture. Architects and engineers analyze loads to design structural systems that safely carry and distribute these forces. Proper load control prevents structural failure and ensures longevity.

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Post and Lintel

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A basic structural system where strong horizontal elements (lintels) are supported by strong vertical elements (posts) with open spaces between them. This system is one of the oldest forms of construction and is common in temples and simple buildings. Its limitations in span have led to the development of arches and trusses for wider openings.

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Cantilever

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A structural system in which a beam or slab is supported at only one end and projects horizontally to carry loads at the unsupported end. Cantilevers allow overhanging elements, balconies, and dramatic architectural forms without external supports. They require careful balancing of moments and reinforcement to control deflection and stresses.

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Truss

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A framework of straight members arranged in triangular units that takes advantage of the triangle’s geometric stability to distribute weight and handle changing tension and compression. Trusses provide efficient long-span support for roofs, bridges, and floors while using relatively little material. They are engineered to transfer loads to supports with predictable force paths.

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Arch

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A curved structural element that spans an opening and transfers loads primarily through compression to its supports. Arches are used in bridges, viaducts, and vaulted or domed buildings, and they can form a series called a vault. Properly shaped arches are strong and can cover large spans without tensile reinforcement.

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Vault

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A succession of arches arranged to form a continuous roof or ceiling over a space. Vaults enable wide covered interiors and have been used historically in churches, halls, and monumental buildings. Different vault types (barrel, groin, rib) achieve varying structural and aesthetic effects.

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Dome

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A curved roof structure resembling the hollow upper half of a sphere that covers a large, often circular, space. Domes efficiently transfer loads to supports and create monumental interior volumes used in religious, civic, and cultural buildings. They can be constructed from masonry, concrete, or modern lightweight materials and often symbolize grandeur.

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Domestic Architecture

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Architecture produced for the social unit of individuals, families, or clans, providing shelter, security, and spaces for daily activities like sleeping, cooking, and work. Domestic architecture ranges from vernacular huts to modern houses and reflects cultural practices, climate adaptation, and economic conditions. It often balances privacy, community interaction, and functional needs.

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Religious Architecture

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Design and construction of buildings and structures for religious purposes, including places of worship (churches, mosques, temples), shrines, and funerary monuments. Such architecture expresses spiritual beliefs, ritual needs, and symbolic meanings through form, ornament, and spatial organization. Religious buildings are often landmark structures with cultural and historical significance.

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Governmental Architecture

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Architecture created to express the functions, ideology, and authority of governmental systems, including courthouses, city halls, and assembly houses. Designs may reflect power, tradition, or democratic values depending on the regime and cultural context. Monumental government buildings often use scale, symbolism, and formal languages to communicate authority and civic identity.

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Educational Architecture

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Buildings and spaces designed for public welfare and learning, such as schools, colleges, research facilities, and libraries. Educational architecture must accommodate diverse activities—classroom instruction, laboratories, recreation, and administration—while supporting safety, flexibility, and community engagement. Design often responds to pedagogy, technology, and student needs.

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Recreational Architecture

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Architecture produced for enjoyment, amusement, cultural enrichment, and physical activity, including theaters, museums, sports facilities, and community centers. These buildings focus on user experience, circulation, acoustics, and the accommodation of audiences or participants. Recreational architecture helps foster social life, cultural expression, and leisure.

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Commercial Architecture

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Design and planning of buildings and structures for business purposes, including shops, offices, markets, and mixed-use developments. Commercial architecture balances functionality, brand identity, customer experience, and economic viability. It must address circulation, access, services, and adaptability to changing commercial needs.

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Industrial Architecture

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Architecture for manufacturing, processing, storage, and laboratory functions, such as factories, warehouses, and research facilities. Industrial buildings emphasize efficiency, structural robustness, machinery accommodation, and safety. Their forms often derive from production workflows, logistical requirements, and large-span needs.

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Green Design

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A contemporary architectural approach that prioritizes environmental sustainability through energy efficiency, use of sustainable materials, and integration with the natural landscape. Green design strategies include passive solar design, rainwater management, living roofs, natural ventilation, and on-site renewable energy like solar panels. The goal is to reduce ecological impact while enhancing occupant comfort and resilience.

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Living Roofs

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Roof systems that incorporate vegetation and soil layers to provide insulation, stormwater management, biodiversity habitat, and microclimate benefits. Living roofs reduce heat gain, extend roof lifespan, and help integrate buildings into the landscape. They require structural support, waterproofing, and maintenance planning.

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Solar Panels

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Devices that convert sunlight into electricity and are commonly installed on roofs as part of renewable energy strategies in green design. Solar panels reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower energy costs, and can be integrated into building orientation and form for optimal performance. Their effectiveness depends on site exposure, tilt, and system sizing.

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Bahay na Bato

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A traditional Filipino house evolved from the native nipa hut that uses masonry on the ground floor and timber on the upper floor, providing durability and ventilation. The style responds to climate, colonial influences, and social norms, offering elevated living spaces and resilient foundations against flooding. It remains an important cultural and architectural symbol in the Philippines.

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Ivatan Houses

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Traditional stone and thatch houses from Batanes built to withstand strong winds and typhoons, using thick stone walls and cogon grass roofs. Their compact, low-profile forms and sturdy materials demonstrate climate-adaptive vernacular architecture. Ivatan houses reflect local ingenuity in building resilient, community-based shelter.

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Paoay Church

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A Roman Catholic church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, known for its massive buttressed walls and Baroque architecture adapted to local seismic conditions. Designed by Padre Antonio Estavillo, it is recognized as a National Cultural Treasure and part of the UNESCO Baroque Churches of the Philippines. The church exemplifies how local materials and structural solutions address environmental challenges.

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Quezon Hall

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An administrative building at the University of the Philippines Diliman designed by Juan Nakpil, blending eclectic architectural styles for institutional use. Quezon Hall houses offices and symbolizes academic governance and history, reflecting mid-20th-century Philippine architectural practice. It demonstrates how educational architecture can combine function with cultural identity.