FILIPINOS are spaceless, concluded a vigorous online exchange among social scientists, architects and heritage aficionados, and here are some of the reasons that brought about the conclusion.

Unlike the logical, linear western construct, the Filipino concept of time and space is neither numerical nor measurable, mostly expressing either an expanse of area or distance not in hectares or kilometers but with the subjective words malayo (far) or malapit (near). Time and space are not finite.

The traditional Filipino concept of space is boundless as well. Traditional cultures, as a practice, did not divide their land into private parcels but instead held property communally where each villager could share in its agricultural or forest abundance.

Whenever there were privately owned areas, these were always held in conjunction with a central communal area. Colonial powers introduced the practice of defining precise boundaries and land measurement that is reflected in individual land ownership titles.

Take a look at how the Filipino dwelling traditionally has no physical boundaries, that separate one room from another.

The interior of the bahay-kubo is truly multipurpose. It is a single space that transforms into a receiving room, sleeping room, kitchen, dining room or chapel—constantly adapting to allow whatever activity the room needs to accommodate at any particular moment during the day.

In the bahay na bato (stone house), space effortlessly flows into the next. Divisions between the sala, caida, comedor, or volada are insinuated by filigreed arches that may suggest the different areas, however in the multipurpose nature of Filipino homes, mats are laid out on the living room at night for the family and household to sleep in.

Space is not confined within one’s house. A party might temporarily take over the street, or a family business like a sari-sari store, repair shop or other activity requiring more space than available in the house could likewise occupy the sidewalk, and in some instances, a major part of the street.

Space is diaphanous. Overlapping layers of space in the Filipino house respond to the cultural value of group living where nobody lives in isolation. It also responds to the tropical environment by always allowing air to circulate freely from one area to the next, and the openness of traditional homes always keeps the natural environment surrounding the house in full view.

The spaceless of a Filipino house is beguiling, seductive, like the sheer, filmy layers of the traditional baro’t saya or the barong tagalong where layers of gauze-like piña cover the Filipino body that allows air to circulate between the layers of almost transparent fabric, and where, like the traditional Filipino house, the best is kept veiled from full view.

Design contests

Two design competitions for the new Filipino have been announced. One sponsored by Lafarge Cement Philippines and the University of the Philippines, the second competition by the United Architects of the Philippines and the Makati Rotary Club.

Both competitions offer cash prizes for the winners and will prototype the winning entries by actually constructing them.

“Ang Pinakamandang Bahay sa Balat ng Lupa,” by Lafarge Cement Philippines-University of the Philippines states “Most of housing designs are modeled after western exemplars incongruous with our tropical climate requiring high energy and operating costs … it is time to challenge the aspirations of people through a redefinition of the concept of ‘beauty’ and environmental considerations in houses.”

The competition is for the complete design of a P750,000 low- to medium-income housing unit for a family of five to be constructed on a 200-square meter lot in the UP-Diliman Campus, that should incorporate tropical design and construction materials that are sustainable and environmentally green. For detailed information regarding the competition, see www.geocities.com/pmbbl_2008.

The United Architects of the Philippines announces the “Bahay Pinoy” Bamboo Design Competition, a project of the Joint Committee on Housing of the UAP and Rotary Makati Central.

The competition calls for the design of a low-cost single-detached dwelling of 20- to 30-sq. m. floor area utilizing bamboo as the major building material for both structural and architectural components. Winners receive cash prizes and a prototype of the first prize awardee will be constructed.

Competition is open to professional architects and students. Registration deadline is Jan. 20, 2009.

For detailed information. contact UAP Headquarters, (63-2)4126364, (63-2)4126374, Fax (63-2)3721796, or e-mail bahaypinoy2008@ gmail.com. Website: http://bahaypinoy20 08.blogspot.com.