Modern architecture has played an integral part in defining our culture as a nation. Buildings have influenced how we live, work and play here in the Philippines.

Modernist styles such as those of Le Corbusier or Mies van der Rohe have left their mark not only on buildings but also landscapes and urban planning.

These architects designed spaces that were forward thinking and emphasized use over decoration. They also built with clean lines and proportions to emphasize functionality over appearance.

Many examples can be seen all across the country. The Philarmonic Center in Manila is one such building. It was designed by Filipino architect Rody Medina and inspired him to create his own style.

Architecture shapes society. What types of buildings there are, what people think about a city’s beauty and feel, how individuals relate to each other — these are some of the things social structure depends on.

But beyond this, I believe it also creates a sense of community. People who lived near the park may now walk for exercise outside instead of going to the mall half-way across town. Or perhaps they took up running because the runny kid department at local stores made them too nervous.

This article will talk more about the ways architecture impacts us socially in the Philippines and around the world.

History of architecture in the Philippines

Like most developing nations, the Philippines has gone through many architectural phases. Since pre-colonial times, we have seen a wide variety of styles built by different cultures.

Prior to the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the Philippines was inhabited by various tribes that left little archaeological evidence. However, during this period, Filipino people were still building with natural materials such as bamboo and stones.

The colonial era is arguably our country’s most significant phase due to its influence on development. During these years, Spain took over parts of the Philippines as colonies.

Philippine culture flourished under their rule, giving rise to an influx of new ideas and influences from Europe. These include concepts like colonialism, capitalism, and progress.

Colonial architects designed buildings using European traditions and styles. For example, they would use large windows for light and airy spaces, strong vertical lines, and proportioned shapes.

After independence in 1946, the Philippines entered what some call the Third World Era. This is because other countries around the world now had access to advanced technology and resources, making it possible to develop economically.

Many entrepreneurs used this opportunity to start business ventures or improve upon the already developed ones. Some of these businesses involved investing in infrastructure or real estate.

This led to an increase in construction and design related professions, especially after the 1980s when Japan’s economy experienced rapid growth.

The influence of the Spanish Empire

Following Spain’s conquest of the Philippines in 1565, it took around two centuries for the country to fully recover. During this period of time, new architectural styles were incorporated into Filipino culture.

Many buildings erected during this era remain today. This is due not only to their striking appearance but also to their lasting impact as monuments to past events or just plain eye pleasing designs.

The most well-known example of this is Intramuros, the walled city in Manila which was built to protect the inhabitants from attacks by foreign invaders.

Another instance of an enduring legacy can be seen at Baguio City, where newly constructed houses are modeled after colonial Spanish architecture.

Interior decorations such as wooden ceilings with dark wood panelling and ceramic floor tiles resemble those found in older buildings.

The influence of the Americans

After World War II, America was in need of a new place to develop as a country. They needed an area that would flourish after the destruction caused by two wars. This led them to choose what is now known as the Philippines.

The Filipinos were not only given their own nation-state, they got to pick where it went. The Philippines was allowed to decide if it wanted to be more like Japan or China.

They chose to become more like America and the rest of Western civilization. This influenced how the Philippines culture developed.

Architecture played a large part in this development. During this time period, most buildings used classic styles such as Neoclassicism, Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic, and so forth.

These styles are characterized by strong vertical lines and proportionate shapes. Modern architecture does away with these things in order to emphasize raw power.

The influence of the Japanese

After World War II, Japan was in need of rebuilding. They were hit hard by being invaded and lost many things during the war including their vast amount of land. Therefore, they needed to start anew!

They looked for new lands to conquer and claimed an area of the Philippines as its own territory. This is now known as the Philippines-Japan Friendship Park.

This article will talk about some interesting features at this park that show how much the people behind this place loved architecture. So, look out for that!

There are three main structures you will find here. All three of these buildings use light and airy spaces which contribute to the feeling of relaxation and refreshment the site gives guests.

The first one is the Pagodas (建築). These are Buddhist temples built with lots of natural stone. Natural stones add to the calming effect the space has.

The second one is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (ホミンゴ東京平和記念館). It is very close to the Kagutou Center so if you ever wanted to go there, this would make sense.

But what makes it special is the way it uses shadows and reflections to create a striking image. Many artists learn how to do this so it is worth looking into.

The influence of the Europeans

After centuries of colonial rule, which mostly involved importing culture from Europe, the Philippines now has an entirely unique cultural identity that is rich in diversity.

The introduction of modern architecture into Filipino cultures was one such example of this. Buildings designed by European architects were imported and adapted to fit local styles.

These buildings have survived due to their practicality as well as their artistic appeal. They still stand strong today and are admired for both qualities.

The influence of the Chinese

After centuries of being influenced by Western culture, Philippines now looks to Asia for new styles and architectures. An example of this is how Filipino architects look up to their Asian counterparts for inspiration in building types and structures.

The most prominent architectural style in the country is the Moorish or Arabian-inspired revivalism. This style was first seen during the Spanish colonial era and has recently been revived.

Filipino artists use it as an inspiration for architecture like in the case of the University of the East where the academic buildings have similarities to those with Moroccan decorations and patterns.

Another popular style is Neo-Spanish or Churrigueresque which features heavy decoration and use of classic materials. Buildings designed in this fashion are very elegant and rich looking. Examples of this include BSP Headquarters and SMX Convention Center.

These two styles alone show how much the Filipinos value art and beauty when designing spaces. However, what sets the Philippines apart from other countries who borrow heavily from European design is that they mix these designs together and make them their own.

Modern architecture

After the Spanish conquered the Philippines in 1521, they brought with them their culture and architectural styles. The most prominent of these was the Roman Catholic Church, which built many beautiful cathedrals across Spain and her colonies.

These churches were mostly Gothic or Neoclassical in style, but as the country’s population grew, there became a need for larger buildings that could house large gatherings and classes.

For this reason, modernist architecture emerged. Architect Bernardo Quintana designed his famous “Pampas Linea” (or Fieldline) buildings in Manila in 1932-1933. These are tall, boxy structures made up of rectangular boxes stacked one over another.

Modernism stuck around until World War II hit. Many countries lost significant amounts of money due to expensive building materials being consumed during the war. This gave rise to more affordable designs such as the ones seen today.

Architecture has played an important part in shaping Filipino culture.

Popular architecture

Filipino culture has played an important role in shaping architectural styles around the world, especially in Asia. Many of our current popular styles can be traced back to early Filipinos.

The use of bamboo for roofs is a perfect example. Bamboo was one of the most abundant materials in the Philippines at that time, making it easy to source. As roofing material, it became very fashionable.

Bamboo also happens to be quite strong and lightweight, two qualities valuable to architects looking for alternatives to steel or stone as building materials.

We still see this influence today with many tropical countries using bamboo as their main building material. Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines are just a few examples!

Another prominent feature of Filipino design is its use of lapped siding. This is where outside walls have small gaps between them to allow airflow and light into the room.

This style was first used by Spanish colonialists and later adapted and incorporated into local designs. It’s now a common feature you will find across Southeast Asian nations.

Sidenotes: Lapped siding gives your house some air flow which helps keep it cool during hot weather and aids ventilation during winter months. A classic look that almost anyone could create!

And lastly, the iconic spires found all over the country are an Italian import. These were originally called campanile (bell tower) due to their resemblance to large church bells.