SPANISH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE (1565-1899)

The Philippines as the "military and ecclesiastical outpost of Spain in the Orient, became the fertile ground for new forms of structures devoted mainly to the spiritual and defensive of the colony. The 335 years of Spanish colonization brought about distinct changes in architecture. During most of the Spanish colonial period, the art and architecture of the Philippines were strongly influenced by the patronage of the Roman Catholic Church. Most art emphasized religious iconography. The church commissioned local craftspeople, often skilled Chinese artisans, to construct provincial stone churches with bas-relief sculpture and to carve santos, or statues of saints, and other devotional icons in wood and ivory. The edifices, statues, and paintings of the period show Chinese and Malay modifications of Spanish baroque, an elaborate and detailed style.

Religion Spanish domination which lasted from 1565 to 1989 brought about distinct changes in religious life and practices of the people. Christianity elevated the social position of women and its fundamental concern is the salvation of the soul for eternal life. Mohammedanism had a strong foothold in the southern islands. Other religions have been adapted by some minorities. All of these religions provided men set of ideals which carry them beyond their own immediate sphere. The various religions have developed different social principles. These ideals and principles are reflected in the different religious and sepulchral structures, - the church, the tombs and burial mounds.

Churches Since the Spaniards came to the Philippines by conquest, and later to spread Christianity, the first structures which they erected were churches and fortresses. The building of a church marked the beginning of community planning. Wherever a church was erected, the people tried to live within its vicinity. The churches which generally of simplified Baroque, Byzantine or Romanesque style, were built by Spanish friars, who without formal training as architects or engineers, supervised their erection by using pictures of churches from their native country. These churches were constructed by Chinese and Filipino workmen under the efficient supervision of the friars. This procedure resulted in huge edifices with he combination of Oriental and Occidental features of Hindu, Chinese, Indo-Chinese, Romanesque, Baroque and even Gothic influences. In plan the churches were either rectangular of cruciform with simple nave and aisles, baptistry and belfry. The thick walls were made of adobe and brick interstices mortared with lime, honey and sand. The thick walls were supported by massive buttresses for protection against earthquakes. Between buttresses and the walls were interspersed with small window openings. the facades were embellished with classical details, niches, low reliefs.

Wall of masonry could be made of: 1. Rubble work (mamposteria) small uncut pieces of rock or river stones, piled on top of each other and held together by mortar. 2. Cut stone (sillar) - Such construction were referred to as de silleria, de canteria or de cal y canto (lime and cut stone) Adobe kind of greyish volcanic tuff found in Manila and surrounding province from Batangas Tarlac). Coral Stones used in chuches along Bataan-Pangasinan coastline, Ilocos, Batangas coastline, and is some Camarines towns. Art of coral stone building reached its height in Visayas islands were blocks were meticulously fitted to each other and with carvings. Cut black lava and sandstone 3. Bricks (Ladrillos) made of clay formed in wooden molds (hulmahan) and baked in kilns called hornos. Laws of the Indies In Book IV of the 1680 compilation of The Laws of the Indies, plans were set forth for settlers in high detail on every facet of creating a community. 1. Those [Colonists] who should want to make a commitment to building a new settlement in the form and manner already prescribed, be it of more or less than 30 neighbors, (know that) it should be of no less than twelve persons and be awarded the authorization and territory in accordance with the prescribed conditions. 2. Having made the selection of the site where the town is to be built, it must, as already stated, be in an elevated and healthy location; [be] with means of fortification; [have] fertile soil and with plenty of land for farming and pasturage; have fuel, timber, and resources; [have] fresh water, a native population, ease of transport, access and exit; [and be] open to the north wind; and, if on the coast, due consideration should be paid to the quality of the harbor and that the sea does not lie to the south or west; and if possible not near lagoons or marshes in which poisonous animals and polluted air and water breed. 3. They [Colonists] shall try as far as possible to have the buildings all of one type for the sake of the beauty of the town. 4. Within the town, a commons shall be delimited, large enough that although the population may experience a rapid expansion, there will always be sufficient space where the people may go to for recreation and take their cattle to pasture without them making any damage. 5. The site and building lots for slaughter houses, fisheries, tanneries, and other business which produce filth shall be so placed that the filth can easily be disposed of. Features: Interplay of open and build spaces laid following a grid

Open spaces or plazas (italian piazza) were located in front of important public buildings and were intended to act as a setback from which the best feature of the building could be seen. (open space serves as gathering of crowd) Grids of roads delineated the city block (principal streets (calle real) the widest and most beautiful lead to or from the plaza mayor and connected the urban space with the rest of the roads; secondary roads were built parallel to the principal road) two city plan (inland-plaza at the physical center of the city; coastal-plaza near a body of water)

Military and Naval Architecture

The Philippines was basically considered to be a key part of the defense of the Spanish crown in the New world. The early friars proved that they were practical architects and engineers. As a defense against Moro pirates they constructed forts and fortresses (Manila against Chinese invasion; Pampanga against Negritos; Cagayan Forts against Igorots; Cebu from moros). 1. Dynamic defense- fleet with fixed periodic vigilance and a single patrol circuit 2. Static defense- fortification of the principal forts (Spanish butressed fortification) Common characteristics: bays for protection hydraulic engineering specific support infrastructure renaissance techniques and designs

Bahay na Bato(1571- 1583)

First buildings built were similar to the native constructions and were built of nipa and cane el estilo del pais or wood and bamboo plus nipa thatch madera y caa . Gov. Santiago de Vera passed a law that buildings be constructed from masonry using volcanic stones: adobe after the great fire. In 1863-1880 earthquakes shook Manila and destroyed many buildings leading the Spaniard administration to pass a legislation to regulated building works. They introduced new techniques and materials and modernized traditional method.

ARQUITECTURA MESTIZA

Between 17th and 19th c. a new form of construction that responded both to earthquakes and tropical climate (heat and heavy rainfall) were also applied to other type of buildings. The weight of roof was carried by stout post and not by walls and lower wall of stone and mortar function as mere curtain over the 2nd storey timber structure.The upper storey became more transparent and with fenestration like ventanilla (sliding window) built at floor level 2 and synthesis which combined stone with wood .

17th c. houses are two storeys: ground floor with very thick walls and upper storey made of wood with overhanging balconies with windows made of capiz. Between 1780-1880, the geometric style became widespread. Overhanging balcony (volada) was extended around the whole of the faade, accentuating the horizontality of the buildings. European influences on Architectural style combines elements of Asiatic and Hispanic traditions such as decorative elements ; Use of Corinthian capitals (classical refinements ); Renaissance- Baroque and Rococo design for church faade ; Importation of house parts and furniture; Stamp metal ceilings and cast iron columns from England ; Fireplaces of cast iron. PROTECTIVE ELEMENTS: Hipped roof pitched steeply from 30o to 60o with ceiling height from 3.00 4.50 m. Clay tile and nipa but later revised by GI sheets Overhang eaves surround the house Roof vent are provided for air ventilation Clay tile and nipa but later revised by GI sheets STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS: Molave and Ipil - posts, floors, beams and roof rafters Yakal - floor joists Narra floor boards Stone walls are approximately 2.40 3.00 m. thk. using varied stones adoble, marble, volcanic tuff, granite slabs, bricks. Mortar is made of 1 part lime (oyster shell) 2 parts sand and water. Included are sugar canes molasses and egg whites Walls are plastered Interior walls wood CIRCULATORY ELEMENTS: Approach to 2nd floor is through a grand stairway of 2.00 m. wide. First 3 is made of marble 6 And rest of wood with handrails of carved wooden balusters (barandillas) Window 1.80 m. high x 5.40 m. wide of sliding panels with capiz shells or wooden jalousies (persianas)

 Smaller ventanillas are placed below the large window sill and often with grilles. For additional protection window awnings (tapancos or media aguas) were placed over the window openings. Tracery (calado) - Continuous air circulation in the interior found in the upper wall above the window. Main door at the ground floor is usually carved and provides relief to the thk masonry wall. DECORATIVE ELEMENTS: Decoration comes in various forms from ceiling to furnishings found in each room Ceilings are usually decorated with paintings on the wooden boards or canvases or with metal sheet ceiling panels. Moldings are occasionally used on walls and ceilings. European influenced furnitures, draperies , carpets , paintings, jars, are found in the sala. Biombos or free-standing partitions were used to separate areas.