THE FILIPINO VERNACULAR HOUSE
ROOF
SLAB
the BIG ROOF provides shelter from the elements. it covers the indoor and semi-outdoor spaces of the classroom.
analysis of the vernacular house:
ACTIVE WALL
the ELEVATED SLAB defines the boundary of the FORMAL classroom space (indoor). Adjacent and covered is the INFORMAL space (semi-outdoor) which is the place of expansion.
the ACTIVE WALL contains the program of the classroom -- blackboard, storage, bookshelves, sinks, etc.. -- the activity that takes place in the classroom responds to the active wall & vice versa.
ENCLOSURE the ENCLOSURE made from local materials -should be porous to allow airflow and light into the classrooms. they can be in the form of screens and louvres to further define boundary of the formal space.
HANGING ELEMENTS
PARTS OF THE PROPOSED CLASSROOM
A ceiling grid over the formal and informal space allows the HANGING of temporary fixtures -screens and curtains allow for the creative manipulation of space by the users.
This is a
Manual for Building Schools
when closed
using local spatial logics, materials & construction in the Philippine context.
roof oversized roof covering indoor & outdoor space 1
slab 1. verandah: elevated slab 2. lanai: covered outdoor
2
Front: spatial & social concepts
when open
room
4x6
private space containing program (bedroom) is compressed
social
8x14
walls
Rear: technical how to build drawings
walls are lightweight, porous , windows are detachable
screens screens/ fabric are used as temporary partitions
social
spatial concepts
architecture I activators
>
formal + informal
flexibility
the classroom does not exist as a fixed enclosed space, but rather there is always a pairing between formal & informal / fixed and extended space / indoor and semi-outdoor space.
classrooms are non-static spaces where users can control their space of learning.
boundary
interactive, flexible spaces orient young minds towards the notion that a learning environment has no fixed boundaries.
The construction of 5 parts make up the system: Big Roof Elevated Slab + Semi-Outdoor Space Active Wall: Blackboard+Storage Enclosure: Louvers & Woven Walls Hanging Facilities: Screens & Curtains
the design of classrooms should be as dynamic as the changing activities that occur within them. Each classroom will have the basic provisions of shelter, storage, indoor & outdoor learning space, and the ability to expand. the design of the classrooms draws from the Filipino notion of verandah living spaces, and responds to the local climate. Classrooms are bright, open air, with every indoor learning space (elevated & enclosed) paired with a semi-enclosed outdoor space.
Roof: corrugated iron / thatched Underlay: plywood sheet / bamboo reed ceiling board with grass in between
8m width of big roof 4m classroom
2m overhang 1m 1m
1.2m louver 2.4m 4.5m
2m overhang 1m 1m
Bracing on 3 sides: fixed panel (alum. or timber) blackboard finish
woven wall/ screen
0.9m elevated classroom gravel bed
Structure 8x14m two-way frame spaced at 1m in steel / bamboo / timber
Cross Section
Columns perimeter column grid spaced at 2min steel CHS or bamboo
Hanging system under the two-way frame
the clsasroom is elevated, and protected by layers of screen and structure.
+ cluster of classrooms under one big roof
the individual classroom a pairing of formal + informal space
verandah learning space
Louvers timber batten / woven rope min height 2.1m from ground Enclosure Options
The Dispersed Cluster
brick wall with voids solid wall with windows bamboo timber horizontal battens 4x6m
Elevated slab: timber/bamboo
Active Wall Modules shelving sink shelving + window kitchen module entry + storage entry
yields in-between spaces to be defined by the users.
Curtain mosquito net / natural fiber
8x14m
Concrete slab/ gravel bed
The Interlocking Cluster creates the opportunity for rooms to combine, the classrooms can serve other functions such as a stage, a training hall, multi-purpose space or a community hall.
1 room
8x14m unit The single classroom is an oversized roof over an elevated slab paired with an semi-outdoor space.
1 room
timber railing
2 rooms
rope/ fiber weave “capiz” shell sliding door
2 rooms
agricultural fabric/ mosquito net/woven screen bamboo blinds
Active Wall masonry with timber infill
Enclosure Options
3 rooms
Active Wall light weight / timber
3 rooms
16x14m unit
Assembly + Materiality
Users have the option to modify the size of classroom, which modules make up the “Active Wall” and materiality (based on local availabililty and preference).
4 rooms
A cluster of rooms share one big roof.
Aggregation
Clusters
4 rooms
Active in-between spaces
© 2013 Aya Maceda / act LAB
material options
The classroom can be built with different material mixes based on what could be sourced locally.
.1
light construction
community center
bamboo structure + reed ceiling bamboo floor + concrete slab (lower) Active Wall: plywood timber louvers + timber screen indigenous weave curtain
brick
perspective outdoor
axons front & back
The classroom can be built with different material mixes based on what could be sourced locally.
bagged brick
concrete block
rope
rattan
pvc
bamboo
timber
bamboo
timber section
plywood
timber
sheer fabric
thatch
bamboo
reed
bamboo
blind
corrugated iron
steel
.2
steel + masonry
stage + multi-purpose hall
.3
bamboo + bagged brick
classroom + play space
steel structure + ply ceiling timber board + concrete slab (lower) Active Wall: brick + ply joinery rope weave louver + mesh wall fabric curtains
bamboo structure + reed ceiling bamboo floor + concrete slab (lower) Active Wall: bagged brick + timber bamboo louver + blinds fabric curtains
mosquito screen
ceiling louver
wall
roof
structure
slab
curtain
concrete
floor
fabric
clay
bamboo
reed
gravel
timber boards
Active Wall rear view
Š 2013 Aya Maceda / act LAB