Children also sleep beside their little window every siesta (afternoon naps) to take in the cool, afternoon breezes (Zialcita & Tinio, 1980).
The young ones are also given the accessibility to see using the ventanilla or “little window” while being safely protected by its grills or balusters.
BAHAY NA BATO INTERIOR WINDOWS
Those wide windows from one end to another allow the numerous members of the household to all have a chance to view the streets without any obstructions. The wide windows also allowed more view of the dwelling’s surroundings which include nature, their neighbors, and down the streets which is most beneficial in times of cultural activities like religious processions. These openings around the building envelope are assisted by the fenestrations within the building like the wide double doors and wall partition panels (also known as calado) to keep the air flowing from one space to another without the use of electricity. This also allows more airflow and light coming from the floor height to the window sill unlike conventional exterior façades. Between the window sill and the floor runs the ventanilla, also with its own sliding wooden shutters and iron grills or wooden balusters as protective barrier. The users then have control with the amount of daylight, heat, view and wind they will allow inside the dwelling. This is done mainly through the broad and grooved window sill that holds two sets of sliding shutters: a set of capiz or oyster shell shutters, and a set of louvered shutters (Reyes, 2013). From left to right: with the ventanilla, the sliding windows, and a closer look of the shutters.
BAHAY NA BATO INTERIOR SERIES
There is also an elaborate system of fenestration which optimize and allow the users to alter the openings in whichever they please.Ī series of photos showing the bahay-na-bato windows system in Casa Manila, Intramuros. To reduce heat gain and to serve as buffer from the elevated living quarters, some houses have an extended surrounding portion called volada. It also made sense back then that large living spaces were provided because of the large number of family members they used to have.Ī dining area of the Mercado (Rizal) family in Calamba, Laguna. Together with the wide system of windows which stretch from one end to another and its generous space indoors, natural ventilation is utilized and thermal comfort is optimal despite the nonexistence of electricity during the Spanish colonial period. Aside from keeping the occupants dry from seasonal flooding, the living quarters are strategically elevated to catch the winds which are stronger at higher elevations (Zialcita & Tinio, 1980). The stone ground floor upgraded the elevated stilts of bahay kubo to withstand earthquake yet still protect the occupants from the seasonal flooding. This is mainly exemplified by its two most notable features: the stone ground floor and the elevated wooden quarters.Ĭasa Manila, Intramuros. Its design also took into great consideration the safety and wellbeing of its users. The arquitectura mestiza, also known as “Ancestral House” or “ bahay-na-bato” in the Philippines, not only is an evolution of the bahay kubo through its building materials used but also in transcending the essence of a Filipino’s characteristics and how it gave importance to nature through its design.
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