Arts and Humanities Page 1 of 5

Architecture

LESSON PROPER

ARCHITECTURE
Architecture is an endeavor that provides not only immense pleasure but also mankind's imprint upon
the land, society, people and himself.

Definition of Architecture

The word "architecture" comes from the Latin architectura and that from Greek (architecton), "master
builder", from the combination of (archi-), "chief" or "leader" and (tekton), a "builder" or "carpenter”. Architecture
is the making of beautiful buildings. Buildings should embody three important elements: plan, construction and
design (Caslib Jr. et. al., 2018) According to Sanchez et.al. (2012): Architecture is the art of designing and
constructing buildings and other types of structures. Varied materials used include stone, concrete, brick, wood,
steel, glass, and plaster.

Architecture is often referred to as the “mother of the arts” because it houses, serves as background
for, or occurs in relation to other fields of art such as painting, sculpture, interior design, landscape architecture,
and city planning. De Architectura is the earliest written work on the subject of architecture by the Roman
architect VITRUVIUS.

According to Vitruvius, a good building should satisfy the three principles:

1. Durability
2. Utility
3. Beauty

In planning any building, consider the following:

1. Purpose or functions
2. Site/location
3. Climate
4. Materials

Definition of an Architect
An architect is an artist who designs structures to enclose residential, commercial, or public space.
Architects work with construction technologies, building materials, topography, contractors, and governmental
regulations within a project budget to satisfy their clients' wants and
needs. The architect mediates between the client and the selected
site.

Architectural Materials
1. Stone
Stone is one of the oldest building materials. It is durable, weather-
resistan t, and has been used in iconic structures such as the Great
Pyramids and medieval cathedrals.
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Architecture
Example: The Great Wall of China is made from stone and other Figure 1 The Great Wall of China
locally sourced materials. Source: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Use: Foundations, walls, and monumental buildings.

2. Wood
Wood is a versatile material used in construction for thousands of
years. It is easy to work with, renewable, and lightweight, though it
can be susceptible to fire and decay.
Example: Traditional Japanese Pagodas use timber
construction and are known for their resilience to earthquakes.
Use: Structural framework, interior finishes, and decorative
elements. Figure 2 Traditional Japanese Pagodas

Source:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Traditional-
Japanese-pagoda

3. Concrete
Invented by the Romans, concrete is a composite material made of
cement, water, and aggregates. It is strong, durable, and widely
used in modern construction.
Example: The Pantheon (Rome) showcases Roman concrete's
durability.
Use: Foundations, walls, bridges, and high-rise buildings.
Figure 3 The Pantheon

Source: https://theromanguy.com/

4. Steel
Steel is a modern construction material used for its high
strength and flexibility. It revolutionized architecture by
allowing the construction of skyscrapers and large-span
bridges.
Example: The Eiffel Tower (Paris), made of wrought iron, is
a precursor to modern steel construction.
Use: Structural frameworks, skyscrapers, bridges.

Figure 3 The Eiffel Tower

5. Glass Source: https://www.livescience.com/29391-eiffel-
Glass is used for its transparency, allowing natural light to tower.html
flood interior spaces. Modern technology has made glass stronger and more energy-efficient.
Example: The Louvre Pyramid (Paris) is an iconic glass structure.
Use: Windows, facades, skylights.

6. Brick
Bricks are made from clay or other earthen materials and have been used since ancient times. They are durable,
fire-resistant, and provide good insulation.
Example: The Colosseum (Rome) used brick in combination with concrete and stone.
Use: Walls, flooring, and pavements.

7. Bamboo
Bamboo is a sustainable, eco-friendly building material commonly used in tropical regions. It is lightweight yet
strong and flexible.
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Architecture
Example: Traditional Filipino Bahay Kubo utilizes bamboo in its construction.
Use: Framing, walls, and scaffolding.

Architectural Structural Terms

1. Post and lintel – A building system where strong horizontal elements are held up by strong vertical
elements with large spaces between them
2. Arch - A curved, symmetrical structure that covers an opening and is often used to support the
weight of a wall, roof, or bridge.
Figure 4: Post and
lintel Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post
_and_lintel

Figure 5: Arch
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch

3. Column - an upright pillar that is often made from stone or concrete, which may be used to support
an arch or roof.
4. Trusses - framework composed of struts, posts, and rafters, which may support a roof, bridge, or
other similar structure.

Figure 6: Column
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Column

Figure 7: Trusses
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusses
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Architecture

5. Domes – It is an architectural element similar to the hollow upper half of a sphere; there is significant
overlap with the term cupola, which may also refer to a dome or a structure on top of a dome.
6. Spire - steeply pointed pyramidal or conical termination to a tower.
Figure 8: Domes Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domes

Figure 9: Spire
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spire

7. Eaves - part of the roof which forms the overhang.

8. Cantilever - beam supported at one end and carrying a load at the other end or distributed along the
unsupported portion.

Figure 10: Eaves

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/eaves

Figure 11: Cantilever

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cantilver

9. Gables – It is the enclosed ends of a pitched roof.

10. Buttress – It is an exterior support, usually of masonry, projecting from the face of a wall and serving
either to strengthen it or to resist the side thrust created by the load on an arch or a roof.

Figure 12: Gables

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gables

Figure 13: buttress

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/buttress
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Architecture
I AM AN ARCHITECT – The History of Architecture
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6rW4OPceFU

1. Prehistoric Architecture - Primitive Hut are made of

dried leaves and dried woods; rocks for foundation.
2. Egyptian Architecture – Pyramid structures made
of mudbrick and limestones.
3. Greek and Roman Architecture – Parthenon and
Pantheon - imperial forum with decorum.

Figure 14: Pantheon

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/pantheon
4. RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE – Churches and
cathedrals - buildings are with linear perspective and artistic
expression
5. INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ARCHITECTURE – Eiffel
Tower and the likes - use of iron and steel and other new
innovations (high rise, too)
Figure 15: Petronas Twin Tower
Source: https://www.wokipedia.org/petronatowers

6. MODERN ARCHITECTURE – uses many different circular specs; steel and glasses, too.
7. POST MODERN ARCHITECTURE – ornament is grand and fractured are the design; rules
are undefined
8. CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE – sustainable sites; LEED certified; recyclable materials
are used are locally supplied.

FILIPINO ARCHITECTS:
1. Pablo S. Antonio, National Artist in Architecture (1976), was born at the turn of the century. He
pioneered modern Philippine architecture. One of his major works includes Far Eastern University
Administration and Science buildings.
2. Leandro V. Locsin, proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture in 1990. The CCP
Complex is a virtual Locsin Complex with all five buildings designed by him- the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, Folk Arts Theatre, Philippine International Convention Center, Philcite and The Westin
Hotel.
3. Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr. National Artist for Architecture (2006), was one of the pioneers of landscape
architecture that has included hundreds of parks, plazas, gardens, and a wide range of outdoor settings
that have enhanced contemporary Filipino life.
4. Juan F. Nakpil (1899-1986), National Artist for Architecture 1973, and tapped as the Dean of Filipino
Architects. Among his works are San Carlos Seminary, University of the Philippines Administration
and University Library and improved the Quiapo Church in 1930 by erecting a dome and a second
belfry.