Araal or teppei slates also called “crazy cut” slates. These are slates quarried from the Southern Philippines. These are used as wall cladding for exterior and sometimes interior use. The average size of each piece is from ½ to 1 square meter with thickness up to 3 inches and it is both hard but quite brittle. Some designers have used this as a substitute for stones to mimic the idea…
Nope, terraces and balconies are not synonyms of each other. Apart from the size, the terrace and balcony differ in terms of location and construction. A terrace is typically built from the ground floor which is then elevated or structurally fixed from the foundations upwards. In modern times, terraces can be found on upper floors or on the rooftop called Rooftop Terraces. These are open spaces that are typically fixed…
The traditional Blaan house is known as “Bong Gumne”or Long House. The House is constructed on stilts and a gable roof with only two sides having a window. There is a wall that serves as both a wall and a fenestration. Instead of partitions, the dwellers determine the spaces of the Bong Gumne by its elevation. There are at least six platforms, with varying heights. The Blaan Cultural Community is…
The Miagao Church reflected Spanish influence over architecture in the Philippines, and the direct connection at the time between faith, idenity, and even warfare. The Miagao Church is an architectural gem. Built in 1786, this structure was not just built as a worship place but also as a fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage site was designed with the touch of Spanish Baroque and Romanesque Early Medieval architectural styles, with the…
Patented in 1901 by Thomas J. Metzger, the Jalousie window is one of the most common and popular window types in modern buildings. These windows let wind come in while also protecting interiors from rainwater, making this type of window ideal for tropical areas like ours. It is also space saving and can allow natural light to come in. However, the windows have some problems in terms of leaks and…
For those who have walked the grounds of Silliman University, perhaps there have been many memories at the Silliman Hall worth hundreds or thousands of words. Built in the early 1900s, the Silliman Hall is a building inside the complex of Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Orientatl. It was the first building to be built after the creation of the Silliman Institute in 1903. The building is known for its…
