RE100: CASA MANILA

A REVIEW PAPER

Architect Yosef Maru Pablo

History of Architecture 4
Deeann F. Caspe– A55
September 13, 2019
Background

In the 19th century, there is a Filipino structure called bahay na bato. A product of

economical growth, social advancement and architectural evolution. Money became a

status symbol in the provinces which made wealthy families send their sons to study

outside of the country. Due to this, the way of living of these opulent citizens requested

a more suitable dwelling place for their social rank. Hence, the bahay na bato was born.

The Bahay kubo is one of the main influencers of the stone house but not as grand

as compared to what the illustrado had envisioned. Instead, this became a patent of a

grander and extravagant version of the folk architecture. Due to its architectural

practicality, its features were actively incorporated in the new design; excellent

ventilation, flood and earthquake proof post-and-lintel constructions, elevated floors,

and its steep roofs. The following influencer is the chieftain’s house designed by

Antonio Morga boasting its fully furnished and big rooms, strong timber, and superb

elevation. The Spanish houses back in Intramuros had been a third catalyst wherein folk

and foreign style was combined in a two-storey structure made up of stone walls on the

lower and timber on its second floor. As far-fetched as it is, monasteries or conventos

1
Claris, Banigoos, “Bahay na Bato.” Scribd. November 8, 2014.
https://www.scribd.com/document/245882029/Bahay-Na-Bato, 1. (Accessed September 13, 2019).
had also become bases for its grandeur. Overall, stone skirts that proved to be

earthquake proof with and wooden legs make up the description of the Bahay na Bato.

When it comes to architectural influences, the structure is a combination of

native Filipino, Spanish and Chinese style of architecture. It has become an epitome of a

flourishing indigenous Filipino Architecture because of its design and structural

progression from a quaint, shabby hut to an opulent structure of grandeur. All of this

yet still able to retain the features that makes it native and eclectic at the same time. The

bahay na bato has become an icon of western colonization—a grim reminder which

signifies the stagnation of Filipino independence even after public education, equal

initiative, and democracy has been introduced to the lands.2

History

Casa Manila is said to be designed by Ramon Faustman based on the house of a

merchant Binondo named Don Severino Mendoza3. Circa 1850, Casa Manila belonged

to the grand houses that dotted the area of Barrio San Luis inside Intramuros. It is right

in front of the San Agustin Church, hugged by the streets of Urdaneta, Cabildo, General

2
Banigoos, 2.
3(Phno), Philippine Headline News Online. INTRAMUROS: REVISIT THE PAST IN CASA MANILA.
http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/hl/hl018061.htm. (Accessed September 13, 2019).
Luna, and Calle Real. Restoration of the mansion was done after the World War II in

great accuracy. In result, the national heritage has been preserved of that building.4

Architectural Character and Observations

Zaguan (Silong)

This is the ground floor of the building, which is not considered as a living area

instead, it was made as a carriage entry way and storage. Its other name is Zaguan or a

vestibule in Spanish.5 The one

found in the Casa Manila is made

up of volcanic tuff or commonly

known as adobe stone.6 In the

courtyard is a fountain serving as

the ground floors’ centerpiece.

4
Vanzi, Sol Jose. “Intramuros: Revisit the Past in Casa Manila.” Philippine Headline News Online. May 29, 2003.
http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/hl/hl018061.htm. (Accessed September 13, 2019).
5
Luca Invernizzi, et al., Philippine Style: Design & Architecture. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Anvil Pub., 2013. 18.
6
Invernizzi, et al. 19.
Anterooms

The caida is often translated as “fall” because women in the past would usually

let down their long trains on the

floor as part of their skirts.7

Without the carpet, it would have

a polished wooden floor that will

expand all throughout the level. At

the entrance, of the landing, a

painting and a high boy would

greet the visitors.

Mezzanine

The mezzanine of Casa manila is smaller and less functional compared to that of

other bahay na bato. It is where an office or a small bedroom is usually placed. Its other

name is entrasuelo because it is literally in between floors. 8

Volada

This is a wraparound balcony that is girdered above the street. The obvious

purpose is to serve as shade for the people below and a place to catch fresh air on the

7
Invernizzi, et al. 20.
8
Invernizzi, et al. 20.
upper floor9. From my observations, the balcony is made up of capiz shells which serves

a double purpose; to fend off

rain while at the same time let

light pass through the rooms

inside. The other purpose of

the volada are its ventanillas or

airways that looks like tracery

windows that lets air pass

through for ventilation.10

Comedor

This is the name

bestowed upon the dining area

of this elegant house which

means to eat. It is considered as

one of the most important parts

of the plan. With this one can

conclude that it was a colonial

mansion during the Spaniards’

9
Invernizzi, et al. 20
10
Invernizzi, et al. 20
reign. Only a few of the families were able to incorporate this to their homes and these

are the people who openly welcomed the ideas of westernization.

Sala

This is the gathering area for guests, family bonding, meetings, etc. The most

common furniture piece that you’ll see in these room is the venetian mirrors that will

eventually be produced in the

country because of popular demand.11

Scanning the entirety of the space, it

is evident that this is where the

family openly displays their most

treasured objects such as heirlooms

and silverware. It is spacious for a

room, so it is safe to conclude that it

also serves a multifunctionality for dances, large socializations and such.

11
Invernizzi, et al. 21
Cuarto (Kwarto)

Room is the commonly known name for any area of a house, but this is always

associated to the silid-tulugan or bedroom12. Bedrooms are usually placed on different

levels of the house and some served as places for siesta due to cool air it receives during

the afternoons. In Casa manila, the rooms usually contained a four-post bed, an

aparador attached to the wall with a mirror, a chest or baul, and all have orinolas or

chamber pots.

12
Invernizzi, et al. 22.
Cumon (Bathroom)

Sometimes referred to as Bano or

kasilyas, the bowls are called antipolos

and are usually cleaned with lime for

maintenance.13

Kusina

Equipment for the kitchen are

usually a combination of old and new.

Considered to be one of the bustling

places of the house, the main person who

oversees the kitchen is the mother and an

elder staff14. It’s usually placed on the

farthest side of the home near the azotea

or balcony. A brick oven and a fire box can sometimes be seen beside each other.15

13
Invernizzi, et al. 22.
14
Invernizzi, et al. 23.
15
Invernizzi, et al. 23.
Azotea

A rear terrace to take in the cold evening area. This is where a cistern is placed

and laundry. Considered as the dirty kitchen

for the cleaning of fowls and fish. 16

16
Invernizzi, et al. 23.
Banggerahan

A part of the kitchen and azotea

that looks like an attached dish rack

used to dry them with the use of

sunlight and air.

Stairs

Serving as bridge between the ground

floor and the next level17, Filipinos commonly

call these as hagdan or hagdanan. It is always

connected to the principal room called the

piano nobile or piso principal. The stairs

17
Invernizzi, et al. 25.
found in Casa Manila bends at the right angle to accommodate a small landing for

continuing to the main principal room.

Ceilings

The one found in the dining room is a symbol of nationalism and patriotism

inspired by the style called Empire. The tin-panels in blue and pink are influenced by

the Mediterranean design. According to the book called Philippine Style: Design &

Architecture, the empire

style has never been a

trend in the country but

was incorporated to the

renovation of the now

museum (Casa Manila) to

signify that it was once a

metropolis of opulence

and grandeur before

Manila as destroyed by

the Americans.18

18
Invernizzi, et al. 26.
Calado

These are fenestrations on the walls in pierced for ventilation. Based on keen

observations, the styles of the Calados in Casa Manila are in Art Deco, Nouveau, and

Neo Gothic Victorian Motifs. These styles work together to make an iconic piece of

woodwork in the end. 19 It is always a common part of South East Asian houses to have

perforated areas even before the Spanish colonization.

19
Invernizzi, et al. 28
Windows

Durungawan or Dungaw are the native names of windows in the Philippines. In

the concept of Bahay na Bato, these are usually louvered with capiz shells that acts as

insulators and prism for lighting to come inside the premise. These serves two main

purposes, to fend off rain and let in light hence, the reason to have double windows in

some occasions. Barandillas

were added on the second-

floor fenestrations to

prevent burglars to come in

and ransack the house20.

These usually varied in

designs. The one in Casa

Manila is devoid of such

augmentations.

20
Invernizzi, et al. 28
To add, there are also perforations on

the eaves which serves ventilation.

Not to mention the incorporation of

Media Auguas to repel the rain in a

certain angle preventing it to dampen

the insides of Casa.

Screens

A historian, architect, and a critic described the style of bahay na bato as “space

enclosing space” because instead of corralling

the interior from the outdoors, the main goal of

this type of house is to connect both and make

the connection as seamless as possible.

According to him, this one character took the

test of time which survived the modernization

of Architecture in the Philippines. 21

21
Invernizzi, et al. 31.
Roof

Knowing it is in

the tropics, the roofs

are angled higher to

become high-pitched

to protect the house

from the downpour

preventing rainwater

to stagnate at the top

and damage the

terracotta tiles used for

roofing.22

22
Claris, Banigoos. “Bahay na Bato.” Scribd. November 8, 2014.
https://www.scribd.com/document/245882029/Bahay-Na-Bato
Learnings

The Bahay na Bato has been heavily influenced by Hispanic traditions. Giving

importance to banquets and social gatherings are one example. It is also a sad part of

Philippine houses design the incorporation of discrimination between master and

slaves. The volada if seen in a bifocal glass blurs an aspect some are ashamed to admit

now. Alipin sa gigilid used these narrow passageways to quench their masters order

because the rules are not allowing them to step on the same floor with their slavers. But,

in the end, Casa Manila is the very epitome of sound tropical design, a collaboration

between vernacular and Spanish architecture. Ending my review, I can adamantly push

the revival of the Bahay na Bato as a modern dwelling place for Filipinos because it

earthquake proof, energy efficient and can battle any elements the earth can throw to it.

A good discovery that needs to be inculcated in our minds: Philippine architecture is

evident anywhere we look, and it is our responsibility as architects to uphold our own

native and vernacular principles and rise the ranks of the architectural styles that will

match our tropical climate.

Photos Taken
 Bibliography

Banigoos, Claris. “Bahay na Bato.” Scribd. November 8, 2014.

https://www.scribd.com/document/245882029/Bahay-Na-Bato. (Accessed September 6,
2019).

bw_mark. “Walking through History.” BusinessWorld.

https://www.bworldonline.com/walking-through-history/. (Accessed September 13,
2019).

Invernizzi, Luca, Elizabeth Reyes, Dominic Galicia, and Javellana René B. Philippine Style:
Design & Architecture. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Anvil Pub., 2013.

(Phno), Philippine Headline News Online. INTRAMUROS: REVISIT THE PAST IN CASA
MANILA. http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/hl/hl018061.htm. (Accessed September 13,
2019).
Learnings

Photos (taken by Student)