Contemporary house design is the usual trend in the Philippines nowadays. When you go around gated communities, you’ll find countless homes with a contemporary exterior. These homes usually have a boxy structure and an elegant color scheme of white, brown, and black. Often, such houses have expansive glass windows to let natural light in and give the illusion of more space. A contemporary exterior can be advantageous cost wise since it requires fewer details. You’ll also find that it’s easy to maintain.
Contemporary design is relatively recent and was an influence from the West in the 21st century. To make sense of the current design trends in the country, we should take a walk down memory lane and revisit our past.
Pre-colonial houses in the Philippines
Houses in the Philippines looked a lot different, especially before the Spanish colonization. The country’s indigenous people lived in the traditional bahay kubo, which was made out of bamboo and other natural materials. The bahay kubo or nipa hut is embedded in our culture and has become a significant part of our identity. There are variations of the nipa hut in Malaysia and Indonesia that use different materials. Our bahay kubo is appropriate to our tropical weather as it promotes air circulation inside the home. We also have an abundance of natural resources to build this type of shelter.
The arrival of the Spaniards
Since the Spaniards set foot in our country, their influence never left. The Spanish colonization didn’t only introduce Catholicism to the Philippines but also new architecture that led to the birth of bahay na bato. The new variation of the nipa hut now uses bricks and stone blocks for the foundation. You can see surviving bahay na bato when you visit tourist destinations like Intramuros and Vigan. Some structures were preserved and have been converted into museums or commercial establishments.
American Influence
When the Spaniards left, the Americans came with their own architecture style. Filipino homes became simpler and made use of new materials. The houses during this time were part of a planned neighborhood, known as Sanitary Barrio or tsalet.
Transition to Modernization
New influences, especially from the West, were brought into the country eventually. As the Western part of the world transitioned into modernity and new materials were invented, the architectural design of houses was also affected. After World War II, the mid-modern century design became the trend. This style focuses on the functionality of furniture and makes use of earthy color scheme. It was followed by the modern house design and eventually, contemporary.
Contemporary House Design in the Philippines
Contemporary architecture is often seen in townhomes and houses in private subdivisions. Due to the advanced technology nowadays, new and more sustainable materials are being used for building contemporary homes. The style features clean lines and simplicity with a boxy structure. It also involves a minimalistic approach with Japanese and Scandinavian influences. It’s a popular home design because of the cozy feeling it promotes and the fact that it prioritizes space and functionality. The contemporary house design is especially seen in upscale gated communities in Metro Manila like Forbes Park, Dasmariñas Village, and Urdaneta Village. It is also now a popular design for townhomes like 8 Alabama in Quezon City. The emergence of contemporary house design in the country is a testament to our continuous adaptability to technology. We’ve come a long way coming from building a bahay kubo with plant materials.
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