PRE- SPANISH ARCHITECTURE OF LUZON
These are the houses that are found in the Cordillera Administrative Region
and some of it are still standing up to this period or still practiced since it is part of the
culture of the Cordilleran people.
The type of construction is mostly made of timber since it is the most common
construction material in the area, its distinct characteristics is that is elevated with stilts,
for protection against rodents and snakes, the dwelling is accessible by ladder since it is
elevated, the open space underneath serves as a storage space, the roof is steep and
they use a type of roof covering material that serves as insulation and provides heat
since to neutralize the temperature condition inside since they are located mostly on
uplands and temperature there is colder than the downhill areas.
Here are some of the types of houses that are present in the area:
BONTOC
IFUGAO
ISNEG/ APAYAO
IVATAN
KALINGA
Isneg or Apayao House
It is commonly present along the northern end of Cordillera. It serves as a home for
Isneg People. Roof is pyramidal or hipped roof, annex on one side or on both ends and its
sidings are removable which is sometimes used for special occasions or gatherings.
Bontoc House (Fayu)
It is commonly located at the mountain area of Cordillera. It is like a house within a
house shelter for Rice, Chickens, Pigs and People.
Ifugao House
This type of dwelling is commonly seen in the mountains of Cordillera. These type of
dwellings is mostly built on Rice Terraces near springs groves that are present along entry faces
down slope. It has three levels. First is the Datag or Xassaran, which is the lowest rooms
located at the center of the room. Second is the Ramuyon, or the intermediate level that
occupies the three portions of the floor proper. And third is the Tarakip or the highest level,
located on the remaining side of the house that serves
as an extension.
Ivatan House
These are the types of houses that are located along the slopes of cliffs and villages
that are built along the sides and on top of rocky hills of the Batanes Island. These are the type
of dwellings that stands directly on the ground and has the capability to resist against strong
winds since the area is located along a windy part of the region.
Kalinga House
These are types of dwellings that are mostly located on a steep mountain slope along
the Cordillera area. Sometimes, it has a rectangular or octagonal on plan and its floorings are
made out of removable reed mats resting on floor joists.
Kankanai House
PRE- SPANISH ARCHITECTURE OF VISAYAS
Mangyan
Mostly of these dwellings are commonly found along the hillsides of Mindoro area.
Mostly has a one room plan, rectangular and elevated above the ground at 1.50m.
Tagbanua House
These are houses that are mostly seen in the coastal and near- coastal plains and
valleys of Central Palawan. It has a stilt system that is elevated on stilts about 8 feet high.
PRE- SPANISH ARCHITECTURE IN MINDANAO
Badjao House
These are the types of dwellings of the Badjao People that are located along the
Mindanao and Sulu Regions. Their houses are elevated since it is situated along the bodies of
water. It is made out of timber materials since it is the most common construction resources that
we have here in the country.
Manobo House
These type of dwellings are mostly located along the lowlands of Agusan, Bukidnon,
Davao, Misamis Oriental and Cotabato. Its floorings are commonly made out of withered bark of
Mahogany or Split Bamboo. Stilt System is still present and serves as the main supports of the
house.
Maranao or Torogan House
These are dwellings located in the Mindanao region, which is commonly present along
rivers, road or lakeshore of Mindanao. Just like the others, it is constructed with stilt systems
that serves as the four main structural posts of the dwelling. Its floor beams are supported by 25
thick posts, walls are made out of Gisuk wooden panels associated with ornamental carvings.
Samal House
These type of dwellings are located along the coastal waters of Jolo. The dwellings are
elevated above water which is supported by Stilts that serves as the structural support system
of the dwelling. Timber is the most common construction material.
Tausug House
It is also a dwelling that is present along coastal waters but it is located along the
waters of Tapul, Siasi, Basilan, Tawi- tawi, Zamboanga del- Sur and Cotabato. The construction
component is still timber since it is the most convenient resource and still associated with stilt
support system.
T’Boli House
These are dwellings that are commonly located along Hill or Mountaintops in Lake
Sebu area that is located in Cotabato. The floor is elevated by 6 feet above ground just like the
other native houses in the Philippines. It has various floor levels and timber is the most common
construction component.
Yakan House
These dwellings are located along the mountainous interior of Basilan, elevated by 2-3
meters above ground and doesn’t have partitions. These dwellings are the same as the others
in terms of construction style and support system.
Nipa hut (Bahay Kubo)
It is the most common house that are used by early Filipinos before the occupancy of
the Spaniards here in the Philippines. Its construction system is traditionally made out of
Bamboo tied together and covered by thatched roof made out of Anahaw leaves or Nipa. It is a
one room type of dwelling only where the main room caters all of the activities.
REFERENCES:
Hoa.weebly. (n.d.). Vernacular Houses. Retrieved from
https://historyofarchitecture.weebly.com/vernacular-houses.html
Slideshare.com. (2014, June 21). Pre-Spanish Architecture Presentation.
Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/saiAltovar/prespanish-architecture-
presentation
