MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and Built Environment

Of Culture and Climate: The Manifestation

of the Filipino Culture on the Principles of
Tropical Architecture

AR135 Architectural Essays and Review

By:
Kenneth Bryan B. Enriquez
Elaine L. Tuazon

26 June 2015

Of Culture and Climate: The Manifestation of the Filipino Culture on the Principles
of Tropical Architecture
Enriquez and Tuazon
26 June 2015

Modernist architect Ludwig Mies Van De Rohe quoted Architecture is a will of an epoch
translated into space. The above quotation justifies that architecture is not all about aesthetics
and details; moreover, it is about the people; their needs, their wants and their desires. Different
styles and typologies of buildings have emerged from all parts of the world, from the classics to
the gothic of the west, the vernacular construction of the east, until eventually the contemporary
architecture we come to experience today. One distinct typology practiced in the tropics is
tropical architecture. This has been the forefront concept on what is known as sustainable
architecture. The principle of the tropical architecture renders techniques and methods which
are energy efficient, cost-wise effective and comfort-oriented. This article is centered on the
thesis that tropical architecture is a solid manifestation of the culture of the people in relation to
the humid tropical climate.
The context of tropical architecture provided in this article is all about achieving thermal
comfort by utilizing elements which highlights passive design. These include, but are not limited
to, brise soleil, cavity walls, overhangs, wall insulation, louvers and greens and vegetation. It is
iterated in most definitions found that passive design is a process by which thermal comfort is
achieved without the aid of mechanical systems.
Figure 1. Site Plan of the Serendra

Source: 1 www.skyscrapercity.com
Shown above is the site plan of the Serendra. The main feature of the Serendra is its
two condominiums, One Serendra and Two Serendra, which offer a tranquil community
residence amidst the business and commercial nature of the Bonifacio Global City. The area of

Of Culture and Climate: The Manifestation of the Filipino Culture on the Principles
of Tropical Architecture
Enriquez and Tuazon
26 June 2015

the study is specifically the piazza, a walkway which is in between the two upscale
condominiums which are lined with shops, restaurants and water features. The piazza connects
a main shopping center in the area to a popular swish strip mall. The piazza boasts lush
vegetation and hanging vines and greeneries which add to the serene yet relaxed atmosphere
of the place. It was able to convey a sense of tropical in a way.
The trough-to-through planning of the piazza rendered to its efficiency for greater wind
circulation in the area. Furthermore, the provision of water features and fountains can take
effect on evaporative cooling during the afternoons. Its vegetation serve not only as accent
pieces but a significant tool in providing additional means to elevate thermal comfort in the area
without the use of any mechanical systems. The piazza was also planned to have seating areas
and several alfresco, a feature deemed to be influence by the Filipino culture on importance on
social spaces and the outdoor activities. This concept shall be discussed in the succeeding
points in this article.
Figure 2. The Central Area of the Piazza

The piazza is lined with mostly restaurants and some specialty shops, a bookstore to
mention one. These establishments of various functions and offerings create a vibrant
walkthrough and sense of place within the Serendra. The feel created by the planning of the
piazza represents that of an interpretation of a typical Filipino neighborhood.

Of Culture and Climate: The Manifestation of the Filipino Culture on the Principles
of Tropical Architecture
Enriquez and Tuazon
26 June 2015
Figure 3. The Sidewalk as Extension of the Home

Source: 2 images.google.com
The sidewalk has been the extension of the Fiilipino home. This can be attributed to
factors which includes the sociability of the Filipinos, area ventilation since the inside of the
home may be thermally uncomfortable at certain times of the day, scarcity of space and as a
means for additional income to the family. A goal of tropical architecture is to provide thermally
comfortable spaces without the aid of any mechanical means, thus, the common extension of
the housing space into the sidewalks may have rendered to that principle. Unconsciously,
people have been doing this not knowing that this is already something supportive of the
principle of passive cooling. The similarity suggested by the alfresco of the Serendra piazza and
the typical setting of the Philippine streetscape have supported the thesis that culture greatly
manifests the typology of architecture and that a relating factor, the climate, binds the whole
principle together.

Of Culture and Climate: The Manifestation of the Filipino Culture on the Principles
of Tropical Architecture
Enriquez and Tuazon
26 June 2015

Details of the buildings and accessory structures in the piazza are kept minimal. It is
noted that overhangs and arcaded walks are provided in the whole strip of the piazza not omly
to protect pedestrians on rain downfalls, moreover, to render to the efficient sun shading system
of establishments on the ground floor so as for the sun to not fully infiltrate its interiors.
Figure 4. Bahay na Bato in Tayabas, Quezon

Source: 3 images.google.com

Of Culture and Climate: The Manifestation of the Filipino Culture on the Principles
of Tropical Architecture
Enriquez and Tuazon
26 June 2015

Again, we compare the modernity of the details of the Serendra piazza to that of the
traditional bahay na bato. The similarity of the details and provisions in the design is significant.
Firstly, the eaves and overhangs are given the greater importance because these features
protect the edifice from the harsh effects of the heat of the sun and rain. The structures within
the piazza also shares the same planning and concept. Second is the provision for large
windows to gather as much of the wind and offer maximum passive ventilation. Although
mechanical systems were used to ventilate the spaces in the interiors of the building in the
piazza, it still evident that large shop windows are in use. And lastly is the overall simplicity of
the design. Moreover, the massiveness of both the bahay na bato and the buildings in the
piazza were made lighter by the details and fenestration provided.
Although it is evident that mechanical systems are provided to improve the thermal
comfort within the interiors of the building, the concept of tropical architecture was still
emphasized in the outdoor spaces through planning, provision of accessorial structures and the
set-up of vegetation and greeneries. The discussions made above are all centered to support
the point that culture has an impact on what typology of architecture a certain place would have.
Moreover, the climate condition should be able to bind these requirements together and form a
unison and synergized solution to house these traditions. Indeed, tropical architecture is not
only seen on details and materials, moreover, it is an in-depth process of providing thermal
comfort to the requirements deemed significant by the culture of a specific place.

Of Culture and Climate: The Manifestation of the Filipino Culture on the Principles
of Tropical Architecture
Enriquez and Tuazon
26 June 2015

REFERENCES

De Jesus, Amado V. (September 2011). Green Architrends on Tropical Architecture. Manila,

Philippines. The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Escudero, Malou. (September 2011). Extension of Home on the Sidewalks. Manila, Philippines.
The Philippine Star.
Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap for Asia and the Pacific Fact Sheet. Retrieved from:
http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/59.%20FS-Tropical-architecture.pdf
Tropical Architecture website: http://tropical-architecture.blogspot.com/2011/07/moderntropicalarchitecture.html
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization website Australia:
www.unesco.org/en/unitwin/access-by-region/asia-and-thepacific/australia/unesco-chair-intropical-architecture-14

images.google.com
www.skyscrapercity.com