PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE (PART 3)

ELMIS Gabaldon Building, a Filipino style heritage structure was situated in Brgy Paraiso, Sagay City Negros Occidental, Philippines, previuosly part of Brgy Fabrica during spanish colonization. This building was used as hideout of our Filipino Armed Forces in combating Japanese during World War 2. The building was burned and destroyed during the war. Currently, the structure has been restored and used as Grade School Building.
(See photo attributions below).

Heritage Buildings Restoration: A Challenging but Sustainable Path for Filipino Architecture

The Philippines is full of stories and culture that come alive through its historic buildings - think about pre-colonial vernacular houses, colonial homes, ancestral homes, and public buildings. These places aren't just old landmarks; they’re a reflection of Filipino identity, skills, and shared memories. But with city growth speeding up and climate change becoming a bigger concern, fixing up and protecting these buildings isn’t just urgent; it’s also an incredible chance to celebrate our heritage.

OBJECTIVE

In this post, we’ll look at how restoring these old buildings, even though it can be tricky, plays a big role in building a sustainable future for Filipino architecture. This is the 3rd and last part in a series of the same title. To get the full picture, you may want to read the previous episodes first before proceeding. Below are the links:

• PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE (PART 1)

• PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE (PART 2)

Challenges in Heritage Restoration in the Philippines

• Funding and Maintenance Issues

Restoring old buildings isn’t cheap—it needs skilled workers, traditional materials, and usually takes quite a bit of time. Many historical sites, especially those way out in rural areas, tend to fall apart because there’s not enough funding to keep them up which eventually becomes one of the biggest challenges in heritage conservation. Without some kind of financial support or incentives, it’s tough to take care of these places, so they end up getting worse over time.

• Balancing Modern Use with Preservation

Restoring old buildings for modern use, whether it’s for homes, shops, or public spaces, takes a careful touch. How do we add things like air conditioning or plumbing into a 200-year-old structure without spoiling its historic charm? Sometimes, bad renovations can ruin important architectural details, while being too strict about preservation can make buildings feel outdated or unusable. Finding that perfect balance between keeping the original feel and making the space functional, that’s the tricky part, both ethically and creatively.

• Lack of Awareness or Undervaluing of Heritage

There are still people who are not really aware, or should I say not interested on how to appreciate the value of heritage buildings, especially younger folks or in developed places that are rapidly modernizing. Many see old structures as outdated, not making enough money, or just not worth keeping. Because of this, they often end up getting torn down or left to decay, especially when the land could be much more profitable for shopping malls, condos, or new infrastructure projects.

• Natural Disasters and Climate Change Impacts

Since it's located right in the Pacific Ring of Fire and often struck by typhoons, the Philippines is pretty vulnerable to natural disasters. Earthquakes, flooding, and storms can cause serious damage, especially to older buildings that weren’t really designed to handle today’s environmental challenges. Plus, with climate change ramping up these problems, protecting these structures over the long run just gets more complicated and expensive.

Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park Sales Office 
is a concrete structure but still preserved the culture of Bahay Kubo
by using indigenous sustainable materials such as bamboo and nipa.
This is a good example of Filipino architectural heritage preservation.

Moving Forward: Recommendations and Call to Action

• Support Government Policies That Integrate Cultural Heritage into Building Practice

We really need to support laws that see heritage buildings as part of a bigger picture of sustainability. Offering perks like incentives for reusing old structures, tax breaks for preservation work, and guidelines that blend keeping history with eco-friendly features, like installing solar panels or designing for passive cooling, can help make sure these buildings stay around and remain environmentally friendly.

• Encourage Youth Education on Filipino Architecture

Bringing heritage education into the school program, whether through field trips, community projects, or design contests. These can really get kids interested and proud of Filipino architecture early on. When young folks learn why these heritage buildings matter, they’re more likely to grow up wanting to protect, appreciate, and maybe even work in this field one day.

• Promote Community-Led Restorations

Communities that actually use and care for heritage sites tend to take better care of them. When you teach local artisans traditional building skills, involve the community in making decisions, and give barangays the power to handle restoration projects, it really creates a sense of pride and ownership. Plus, it helps make sure that the work stays true to local traditions and tells the story of the place.

• Foster Tourism That Respects Heritage

Heritage tourism can be a great way to fund restoration projects and help people connect with different cultures. With that being said, it’s important to keep things monitored so that things don’t get overrun with commercial stuff or end up damaging delicate historic sites. By focusing on sustainable tourism, things like education, preservation, and giving back to local communities, these historic buildings can become bright museums that fit right into today’s world without losing their charm.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Reviving our heritage buildings isn’t just about looking back; it’s a smart move for our future. These old structures, built with traditional materials and techniques that are often better suited to our climate, hold ecological and cultural value. By fixing them up, we cut down on the environmental impact of building new stuff and stay connected to our roots. Our heritage architecture shows who we are as Filipinos - our resilience, creativity, and stories. Taking care of these buildings means future generations will not only have useful spaces but also meaningful places that tell our story.

“Preserving the past is building a more sustainable future.”

Ar J CASTANEDA

Architect, Sustainable Architecture

Link in account for architectural works.

Linktree account for artworks.

PHOTO ATTRIBUTION

ELMIS Gabaldon Building in Brgy Paraiso, Sagay City Negros Occidental

Jay Castor, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ELMIS_GABALDON_BUILDING.jpg

ELMIS Gabaldon Building was situated in Brgy Paraiso, Sagay City Negros Occidental, previuosly part of Brgy Fabrica during spanish colonization. This building was used as hideout of our Filipino Armed Forces in combating Japanese during World War 2. The building was burned and distroyed during the war. Currently, the structure was restored and used as Grade School Building

Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park Sales office Bahay Kubo

CNEcija12345, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Himlayang_Pilipino_Memorial_Park_Pasong_Tamo_Quezon_City_CNE_10.jpg

PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE (PART 1)

 

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

  

Defining Architectural Heritage Restoration and its Goals

 

Combining architectural heritage restoration with sustainable architecture, especially in the context of Filipino culture, is both timely and deeply relevant in today’s push for environmentally and culturally conscious design. I believe reviving the past is one of the best ways to preserve the future. Recalling the vernacular Filipino architectural heritage such as the Bahay Kubo, Bahay na Bato, Ifugao House, Ivatan Houses in Batanes, ancestral houses in Vigan and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan, just among the many examples of pre-colonial and colonial influences in the Philippine architecture, a heritage to be considered as “the untouchables” or as Wikipedia calls it “immovable”, in our quest to preserve the culture through architectural restoration. These are all possible in the midst of the green building revolution, yet in a subtle way, it's becoming a significant part of it.

OBJECTIVE

I have been contemplating lately the connection between "architectural heritage restoration” and "sustainable architecture." How did it become part of sustainable architecture, its role and influence with a deeper emphasis on the green building of the Philippines? These are just among the many questions I have in mind that I want to address in this blog. Understanding “Architectural Heritage Restoration” involves exploring the practices, philosophies, and cultural imperatives that guide the preservation, repair, and often the revitalization of historical structures. However, it seems like this is quite a broad subject matter to discuss, and I have decided to put this into a series of blogs. I would like to appeal to the general audience, sustainability advocates, architects, students, cultural conservationists, and even travel and lifestyle readers, please be patient and stay tuned to our channel in this series, in order to deeply understand where this adventurous journey is taking us. Ready to ride my time machine? Fasten your seat belts and let’s build a better future from the lessons of the past.

1. Definition and Goals of Architectural Heritage Restoration

Definition

Although with similar definitions and context, Wikipedia seems to have its own terminology on this subject matter. According to them, “Conservation and restoration of immovable cultural property describes the process through which the material, historical, and design integrity of any immovable cultural property is prolonged through carefully planned interventions. The individual engaged in this pursuit is known as an architectural conservator-restorer. Decisions of when and how to engage in an intervention are critical to the ultimate conservation-restoration of cultural heritage. Ultimately, the decision is value-based: a combination of artistic, contextual, and informational values is normally considered. In some cases, a decision to not intervene may be the most appropriate choice.” (See Citation No.1)

However, to simplify it in general terms, Architectural Heritage Restoration refers to the process of accurately recovering the form, features, and character of a historic building as it appeared at a particular period in time. This includes using appropriate materials, techniques, and respecting its original context and significance.

Primary Goals:

• Preservation: To protect the structure from further deterioration, decay, or demolition while maintaining its historical authenticity. This involves maintaining original materials and minimizing alterations.

• Adaptive Reuse: Giving an old building a new function while retaining its heritage value. For instance, converting an old convent into a museum or an ancestral house into a boutique hotel. To learn more, consider reading a related blog I wrote entitled THE 3 R’s OF SUSTAINABILITY AND ITS IMPACT IN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE.

• Cultural Continuity: Ensuring that tangible cultural symbols of the past are preserved for future generations, maintaining a link to identity, memory, and history.

2. Distinction from General Renovation or Rebuilding

While restoration, renovation, and rebuilding all involve work on existing structures, their purpose and philosophy differ significantly:

Aspect	Restoration	Renovation	Rebuilding
Objective	-Return to a known earlier state	-Update or modernize to current standards	-Construct anew (possibly replicating the original)
Material Use	-Original materials and techniques are prioritized	-Modern materials are often used	-New materials entirely
Historical Value	-Maintained or enhanced	-Often compromised	-Usually lost unless meticulously reconstructed
Example	-Restoring the original woodwork of a Spanish-era church	-Installing new wiring or flooring in an old house	-Demolishing and rebuilding a replica of a historical theater

Thus, restoration is more conservation-driven and aligned with protecting heritage values, unlike renovation, which may focus primarily on functionality or aesthetics, often with less concern for historical authenticity.

3. Common Heritage Structures in the Philippines

The Philippines has a diverse and rich architectural history shaped by indigenous traditions, colonial influences (particularly Spanish and American), and early modernism. Notable heritage structures include:

The Ifugao House

a. The Ifugao House

These houses are considered part of the heritage structures in the sense that it is recognized by National Commission on Cultural Arts (NCCA) in one of their articles entitled Sites and Sights in Ifugao by MANUEL DULAWAN. It says, “The Ifugao House. The bale-type house of the affluent Ifugao is a unique architectural structure which antedates by centuries the modern pre-fabricated building. Made only of wood, reeds and thatch without the use of nails, it can be dismantled, transferred to another place and rebuilt and it will look exactly the same as before in shape and size.” (See citations No. 2)

Bahay Kubo

b. Bahay Kubo and other related Filipino vernacular houses

According to an NCCA article, “History of Philippine Architecture” written by ARCHITECT MANUEL D. C. NOCHE, “The bahay-kubo (nipa hut) is a typical traditional house found in most lowlands all over the Philippines. Originally built as a one-room dwelling, the nipa hut changed as family needs become more diverse.” Noche also mentioned the Maranao torogan, which is designed for royalty and thus built with much ornamentation and elaborate details.

The Typical Ivatan House

Another indigenous heritage structure, the Ivatan`s rakuh, which is built solidly on all sides, is made of a meter-thick rubble work covered by thick thatch roofing to withstand gales which frequent the area. Architect Noche added, “Being an isolated and wind-frequented area, the Batanes Islands, exhibit the most different of all traditional architecture in the Philippines.” (See citation No.3)

Bahay na Bato

a. Bahay na Bato (House of Stone)

Bahay na Bato emerged during the Spanish colonial era (18th–19th century) and it features a stone or brick lower floor, wooden upper floor, ventanillas (small windows), capiz shell windows, and wide eaves. A blend of indigenous stilt-house design and Spanish masonry, often seen in towns like Vigan and Taal, is among the significant features of this type of structure.

Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan

b. Spanish-Era Structures

The Spanish colonizers introduced their architectural style during the 16th–19th century, which features Baroque or Neoclassical styles, massive stone construction, retablos, belfries, etc. mostly applied in building churches as part of their mission to spread Christianity. Examples are San Agustin Church (Manila), Miag-ao Church (Iloilo), Paoay Church (Ilocos Norte), Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, etc. Therefore, these eventually became centers of colonial religious, political, and social life, which most of them are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Manila Metropolitan Theater

c. Art Deco Theaters

Such inviting theatrical aesthetic facades were built during the American colonial period (1920s–1940s), which features Geometric designs, decorative motifs, vertical lines, and modern materials. Good examples are the Manila Metropolitan Theater (See cover photo), Capitol Theater, Iloilo's Cine Oro, among many others. Such decorative buildings reflect the urban and cultural development during the early 20th century; today, many are under threat or already demolished.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Architectural heritage restoration is vital for preserving the rich identity and history of a nation. In the Philippines, it serves as a bridge that connects the pre-colonial, colonial, and modern eras, showcasing the nation's diverse cultural landscape. Through the careful stewardship of significant landmarks like the Ifugao House, Bahay Kubo, Bahay na Bato, Spanish-era churches, and Art Deco theaters, we honor our past and cultivate a deeper understanding of our shared heritage. By distinguishing restoration from mere renovation, we affirm our commitment to authenticity, cultural memory, and responsible modernization, ensuring that the legacy we pass on to future generations remains intact, inspiring and sustainable.

Ar J CASTANEDA

Architect, Sustainable Architecture

Link in account for architectural works.

Linktree account for artworks.

CITATIONS:

No.1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_and_restoration_of_immovable_cultural_property

No. 2

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-communities-and-traditional-arts-sccta/northern-cultural-communities/sites-and-sights-in-ifugao/

No.3

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/architecture-and-allied-arts-2/history-of-philippine-architecture/

PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS:

Cover Photo

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bagac, Bataan, Philippines

May Ann Libranda, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stone_brick_gate.jpg

Ivatan House

anne_jimenez, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Oldest_House_in_Ivatan.jpg/1125px-Oldest_House_in_Ivatan.jpg?20091031095937

Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barasoain_Church_in_Malolos_City.JPG

Aerous, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Metropolitan Theater

Juan M. Arellano, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manila_Metropolitan_Theaterjwilz.jpg

Ifugao House

Ranieljosecastaneda, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bahay na Bato

Ramon FVelasquez, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Other photos are copyright owned by Architalktural.

UNVEILING THE TRUE IDENTITY OF FILIPINO ARCHITECTURE - Have we really found it?

When we consider architecture, some well-known styles, like Gothic, Baroque, or Modern, often pop up. But what about Filipino architecture? Does it really exist as a unique style, or is it just a mix of influences from other cultures? The reality is that, Filipino architecture is much more than just a combination of styles—it continuously shows the Philippines' deep history, cultural variety, and one-of-a-kind surroundings. In this blog, we will look into how Filipino architecture has evolved and answer the question: is there truly such a thing as Filipino architecture? 

Indigenous and Vernacular Architecture 

I have always been mesmerized by the concept of the Ifugao House, to the extent that even by its appearance, it gives me the impression that these houses might have been the very first houses built by our ancestors even before the Nipa Hut, or “Bahay Kubo.”

Ifugao House

Oh well, I should say I was really mesmerized because since I started writing this blog, I have already developed that kind of strong urge in my mind, and so, I was eventually prompted to do some research about the Ifugao House right away. I told myself, why not?

As usual, I started looking at Wikipedia. But wait, it appears like Wikipedia only provides information about Ifugao as a place, but what about the house? I found one small picture with a short caption. And so I went on with other websites but unfortunately, I was not able to find the right information for the purpose that I am trying to point out. So I went on until I reached my last resort...I dug some research work of some universities instead, and voila! I think I found one that may help. There you go... oh wow, this one came from Ifugao State University itself. How about that? (please see citation).

Here's an excerpt from the report:

 

“The Ifugao build their native houses in villages or near the rice terraces. It is unique from the common “bahay kubo” of the Filipinos. Guyjoco (2017) describes the Ifugao House a “no-nail house” which plays a great role in Pinoy pride. 

 

The Ifugao “Bale” or Native House is said to be the “first pre-fabricated house in the world,” according to renowned anthropologist Otley Beyer. It has been the subject of many scholarly articles as it is considered to be one of the most ingenious and nearly perfect architectural constructs made by man. This type of dwelling does not make use of nails thus it is also called the “No-Nail" house, The house can be dismantled and transferred to another place of choice without destroying any part of it.” 

 

Wow! Aren’t you amazed by that? Well, I am. I am a big fan of Ifugao House by the way. It’s not that I came to know these facts for the very first time, but this information even gives me an early hint as to what I am trying to point out. But we'll get there. It's just too early to conclude our discussion yet, so we need to keep on digging. Please stay with me mates. Let me cover "Bahay Kubo" as well. My apologies to its supporters for the delay. Here’s some information for you:  

 

Since Bahay Kubo is very typical, I will just describe it based on familiarity. Bahay Kubo is a house made of a nipa roof, hence from where the English name “Nipa Hut” was derived, has a steeply pitched roof, open windows, and a “silong” or a space underneath for storage, ventilation, and small livestock. It is constructed using bamboo, wood, and nipa leaves for roof materials with a sustainable design that is inexpensive and can withstand natural disasters. Since it’s made of bamboo, the connections are usually tied up with strong tying materials, which makes it different from the Ifugao House, where they use no-nail joineries. Bahay Kubo is difficult to dismantle, which makes it difficult to transfer to another place. It usually requires a “Bayanihan” or collective effort by the neighborhood. 

Bayanihan

 

In addition, Bahay Kubo has a lot of resemblance to our neighboring Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, etc., and also Kubo was named after the Spanish word Cubo, which means cube, or a square room or space, not to mention its evolution into “Bahay na Bato,” again, another Spanish influence.

 

The Influence of Colonial History 

Bahay na Bato

I already have started mentioning the Spanish influence on "Bahay na Bato", but aside from that, the Spanish also introduced Mediterranean, Roman, Gothic, Baroque, and Neo-classical styles, such as those in the churches, government buildings, and some houses of prominent families. Ironically, the term "ancestral house" nowadays is usually attributed to the old Spanish-influenced houses. But if we should go deeper, I believe the pre-colonial houses deserve accreditation as well.

During the American colonialization, buildings and bridges within the Metropolitan Manila area were modernized. However, the Japanese did not have much influence when it comes to architecture. Perhaps a few buildings, but we couldn’t find a trace nowadays. 

 

The Fusion of Styles: A Unique Identity 

Modern House Design in the Philippines

If we look at the current design trend, we can find architecture in the Philippines as a blend of influences, creating a hybrid identity. This fusion of cultural, historical, and modern elements contributes to a distinctive Filipino architectural style. Modern Filipino architecture combines elements of local tradition and international trends. We have prominent architects like Juan Nakpil, Leandro Locsin, and Francisco Manosa who have contributed to the evolution of Filipino design. 

 

Sustainability and Local Materials 

Amidst the growing trend of sustainable architecture in the Philippines, little did we know that the subject of sustainability is certainly not new. It actually originated way back from the pre-colonial era, and probably even earlier, perhaps to the time when our real ancestors designed and built the Ifugao house. Then, followed by the Bahay Kubo, all of which use local materials like wood, bamboo, and nipa palm to create eco-friendly designs. A prominent Filipino Architect, Francisco Manosa is very well known for reviving the use of local and indigenous materials in his projects. He even took advantage of the versatility of the coconut tree, as his ingenuity is evident in his design of the famous Coconut Palace. Other Indigenous materials available locally are rattan and abaca, which are also very useful in making furniture, and capiz, which is renowned for sliding windows, amongst many others.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Filipino Architecture – An ongoing quest for its true identity

Filipino architecture is not a singular, static style but a dynamic, evolving expression of Filipino ingenuity, history, and culture. We could always look at the continuing growth and innovation in Filipino architecture, but we also need to reflect on our past. If our aim is to define the true identity of Filipino Architecture, we need to dig deeper into its history, just like tracing our family roots. For me, I would consider the deepest root starts with the Ifugao House, the Bahay Kubo and other traditional indigenous houses, and so on and so forth. If we could learn the culture of each ethnic group in our society, and find out why and how they came up with their design ideas and carry on with how they evolved throughout the centuries, only then we could clearly unveil the right criterion in determining the true identity of Filipino architecture. 

 

Joey Castaneda

Architect

Link in account for architectural works.

Linktree account for artworks.

CITATIONS: 

THE IFUGAO FOLK ARCHITECTURE AND HOUSE CONSTRUCTION, research work from Ifugao State University, Sept 2022 

https://www.scribd.com/document/623139778/IfugaoNativeHouse 

PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS:

Ifugao House: Ranieljosecastaneda, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bayanihan: Bonvallite, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bahay na Bato: Ramon FVelasquez, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Modern House: PaulGorduiz106, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Cover Photo and others: Royalty free photos by Pexel and Pixabay