(U.P.) Diliman Journals Online (University of the Philippines)
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The Filipino Spirit in the Making of Space: An Overview
No full textWhat makes a place? What makes space? In particular, what makes a space Filipino? This paper proposes that it is not rationality or logic of form that dictates the making of a Filipino architecture but, rather, the unseen core of the Filipino being, diwa, which determines the visible form and, more significantly, the intangible space at its core. The author uses a model, derived from Jocano’s model of the Filipino value system, to illustrate the various levels at which the diwa manifests itself and the corresponding architectural expressions that result. This paper is a work preliminary to a larger study in which the author hopes to derive a theory of Filipino place-making that is more cognizant of a Filipino spirituality of being than the current Western standards by which Filipino architecture is currently being criticized.Webster’s New Dictionary of Synonyms provides the following entry: “Architecture, architectonics and their corresponding adjectives architectural and architectonic are often indistinguishable, but they tend to diverge in emphasis. The nouns mean the science of planning and building structures (as churches, houses, bridges, and ships) that involve problems of artistic design, engineering, and adaptation to the ends in view”. In relation, Vitruvius holds that an architect must be well versed in the following areas of knowledge: drawing, geometry, optics, history, philosophy, music, medicine and astronomy. Further, the following statements are made by author Garry Stevens in his work, The Reasoning Architect: Mathematics, Science and Art in Architecture: “Consider, for example, the methods that we use to ensure that buildings stay up. First, we assume that there are such methods…second, there is a causal connection between what we do, the materials that we use, and their sizes and the ability of a structure to remain upright…Third, this reason involves properties of the structure, the beam, and the forces acting on it…Fourth, the reasons behind the structure’s behavior are discoverable by engineers or scientists…Fifth, we can predict the behavior of the beam...Sixth, we can use all this knowledge to alter the structure, to manipulate it to suit our purposes… (Now consider that) events that fall into patterns or regularities that are the product of rules and natural laws, that an invocation of these rules is the only legitimate explanation of these events, and that these rules can be discovered and understood by humanity, which can then use them to change the world.”Given all the above it appears, then, that the popular and, in many institutions, academic view of architecture is one of reason, logic, and rationality. Decisions in the design process should be made by deduction and conscious knowledge. Structures must be built by the reasoning mind and even beauty must be subject to theoretical principles. That is, if the work is to be considered architecture at all.In contrast, consider the following by Bachelard in his Poetics of Space:“…all really inhabited space bears the essence of the notion of home…The sheltered being gives perceptible limits to his shelter. He experiences the house in its reality and its virtuality, by means of thought and dreams ”.For millions of years man has made space as an expression of himself, deciding how he is to determine the areas of his cave dwelling or the form of his hut. Rationality may have been used in the practical considerations of shelter from the elements but the impetus, the driving force that dictates the intuitive rightness or wrongness of his space are certainly not dictates of his logic. Why, then, does man make space the way he does?This paper proposes that it is nothing less than man’s innate spirituality that dictates the creation of his tangible and intangible spaces. Individual, cultural, and universal aspects of spirituality, as defined later, are seen to be the forces that determine man’s perception of himself, others, and the universe and the impetus to his reflection of this in his architecture. This work hopes to provide a preliminary overview of the topic by examining the phenomenon of Filipino spirituality and its reflections in Filipino architecture. In the following discourse cultural manifestations of this spirituality are discussed and inferential relationships to the ways the Filipino defines his space are determined. In this way a possible direct conclusion may be made on cultural spirituality as the major determinant of the way we, as Filipinos, make space preparatory to further explorations and discourse on the relationship of spirituality and space on individual and, further, universal levels
Pagbalangkas - Paghulma ng Tanong: Usaping Nasyonalismo, Pagkakakilanlan at Post-Colonial sa Paglinang ng Arkitekturang Filipino
Full text linkAng tanong na “Ano ang Arkitekturang Filipino?” ay matagal nang lumulutang sa ilang bahagi ng industriya at akademya ng arkitektura sa Pilipinas. Bagaman at ilang dekada na ang lumipas, tila wala pa ring kasagutan ang nagtatamo. Dahil sa hindi pa ito nasasagot, wala nga ba tayong maituturing na “Arkitekturang Filipino”?Nakaugat ang papel na ito sa haka na ang tanong na iyon ay may malalim na ugnayan sa usapin ng nasyonalismo. Kung kaya’t, ang nananaig na konsepto o pilosopiya ukol sa kinakailangang matamong nasyonalismo sa arkitektura, ang siyang humuhulma sa pagsagot sa tanong. Dahil nga rito, ang mismong pumapaimbabaw na particular na konsepto ng nasyonalismo ang pinaniniwala ang ugat ng hindi pag-usad ng usapin ng pagkakakilanlan sa arkitektura. Palagay ng papel na ito na mayroong kinakailangang pagbabago ng pilosopiya at perspektiba ukol sa kung ano ang dapat matamo sa larangan ng arkitektura sa panghinaharap na panahon.Isinawalat ng papel na ito ang dialektikal na ugnayang nagaganap sa konteksto ng mga usapin ng nasyonalismo at pagkapostcolonial at ng tanong ukol sa pagkakakilanlang Filipino sa arkitektura. Pinagtuunan ng pansin ng papel na ito ang mga ugat na batayan, suliranin at implikasyon ng mga tanong na iyon ayon na rin sa dinamikang nagaganap ng kontemporaryong arkitektura sa Pilipinas. Hinahangad ang pagbalangkas ng alternatibong kritikal na pananaw at lapit ukol sa paglinang ng pagkakakilanlan ng Arkitekturang Filipino, sa konteksto pa rin ng mga kontemporaryong usapin ng globalisasyon at rehiyonalismo
A Study of Plant Species Suitable for Riverside-Riparian Areas
Full text linkTransition zones between land and water environments are narrow strips of land called Riparian Areas having a distinct ecosystem. Ecologically these areas hold great importance in regulating natural cycles between terrestrial and aquatic environments. However these zones are plagued with problems stemming from natural occurrences and those coming from man-made actions.Specific plant species are looked into and analyzed against given criteria and then tabulated to assess each plant’s usefulness against specific needs / problems of riverside-riparian areas. This practice in rating plants creates a system whereby species are applied correctly and with reason
“Agay-Ayos”: Designing Public Parks as Transitory Evacuation Centers
No full textThe Philippines is considered to be one of the countries along the Pacific Belt of Fire, wherein geographically, it is within an active zone of volcano eruptions and earthquake movements. As an archipelago surrounded by large bodies of water it has frequent visits from typhoons, sometimes leading to floods. The archipelagic country of the Philippines being geographically located along the line of natural disturbances would have to face a lot of challenges to keep its people safe and protected.Evacuation is the primary action-solution of the government in the safety and protection of its people whenever disaster strikes. The evacuees move their families, carry minimal personal belongings and animals with them, and lead themselves to public facilities, such as local elementary and high school facilities to stand as temporary evacuation centers. Sleeping with other families, they are crowded into a small four-walled classroom. Personal care is limited to a bathroom with minimal water supply and unsanitary amenities.Analyzing and understanding the need for relocation of the evacuees during calamities, the landscape designers have found out that the schools are not built for such purpose; the facilities are understandably insufficient for personal usage hence, leading to an unhealthy unprotected living. There is need for an environment of a secured and sanitized setting that can transitorily house them until it is safe to move back to their homes.Thus, the landscape designers envision a public park that would temporarily house the evacuees in the occurrence of various unpredictable disturbances. The public park is open; several spaces are allocated, designed in functional and visually pleasing landscape. Complete with required facilities that include central refuge, storage, water supply, toilet, emergency lighting, and emergency path, the output is a web of evacuation center-designed public parks—one main central station acting as temporary operation camp and four sub-stations acting as emergency refuge camps. The open spaces are utilized during seismic hazards as vertical structures are avoided during this calamity. As for shelter during the typhoon and storm surges, covered facilities are designed and temporary tents are put up within the site. After the evacuation, the public park returns to its primary function of ecological, social, educational and cultural space for recreation.The main objective of this thesis is to design a network of parks composed of the Community Park and subservient barangay parks that become efficient transitory evacuation centers whenever a calamity would strike the vicinity. The landscape designer is working with the concept, the Circulatory System. It is composed of the heart, veins, arteries, and blood vessels concerned with the circulation of the blood. “Fluidity” is one of the working concepts of the design. With this, the design emphasizes flexibility of function. “Connectivity” is another. Circulation is a major factor to be considered. From the central municipal park, which would be the main site, the sub-evacuation sites are linked to it by its route system. Roads connecting the evacuation centers with each other serve as framework for good and information distribution. The red color stimulates alertness, fast-paced movement and active responses. More significantly, it encourages Filipino values of compassion, concern, kindness, sympathy, warmth, understanding and humanity. From there emerged the Ilocano term, “agay-ayos,” meaning flowing of the blood or “nananalaytay sa dugo.
Monumento Transit Connection
No full textThe Phase 2 of the MRT3 Line is part of the completion of the transit network in Metro Manila. In this project, the MRT3 Line, running along EDSA, will be extended from North Avenue to Monumento.With the line terminating at Monumento, the transit would definitely have an impact on this area. Among the major considerations for Monumento were the preparation of the district for the transit, the impact the station would have on the Bonifacio Monument and the connection of the two transit terminals, particularly LRT1 and MRT3. For the district, the rehabilitation of the area in terms of utilization of spaces and consideration for pedestrian and vehicular circulation were some of the concerns. For the monument, the need to provide the best approach in preserving the Bonifacio monument was of great importance. For the lines, the creation of a physical link between the two lines as well as its impact on the site was an important consideration.In this study, the aim was to create a scheme that would resolve the issues present in the site. The scheme was one that managed to create a strong relationship between the major elements in the site, particularly the two lines, the monument and the different quadrants. From this scheme, the design of the area was to be developed. The design of the Monumento area would include the site development plan, transit terminal and connection design and guidelines for buildings and means of public access