Facts on the humble Bahay Kubo (Philippine Nipa Hut)

Philippine Architecture has developed in response to the demands of development and the aspirations of the people. It is a testament of the country's history and culture.

One of the most notable and renowned architecture in the Philippines is the humble Bahay Kubo.

Casa Redonda, one of five nipa houses built by the Philippine national hero José Rizal during his exile in Dapitan.

Courtesy of Carmelo Bayarcal

Bahay kubo in Tagalog means "country home.". But the word báhay ("house") is from from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *balay, which means "public building" or "community home" and the word kubo is from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian kubu, which means "field hut.

The phrase "nipa hut," coined during the American colonial era in the Philippines, refers to the Hut form of Bahay kubo. Roofs are frequently made of nipa or anahaw thatching materials. However, not all bahay kubo are huts or made of nipa. The distinct parts of the bahay kubo are:

1. Bubong (Roof) - a tall roof made for efficient air flow and passive cooling for hot summers and angled for water proofing during rainy seasons.

2. Silong (Covered area) - the shadowed area from the raised foundation that serves as an anti-flood measurement and a form of anti-pest as well.

3. Silid (Living space) - the main living area designed with fresh air flow and natural lighting in mind. it is directly under the Silong for improved airflow.

4. Dingding (Walls) - usually made from lightweight plant materials such as bamboo, wood, or amakan (processed bamboo mats). Also designed with airflow passive cooling in mind.

5. Dungawan (Windows) - usually made as a large opening that are propped open at an angle with a rod. Sliding barred wood panels or capiz (seashell) are also an alternative that lets some light to enter.

6. Batalan - a designated wet area outside either a “dirty kitchen” or decomposing site.
   

The history of the bahay kubo is split roughly in two eras; the Classical period (Pre-hispanic Era) and the Hispanic Era.

The classical period Bahay Kubos were made simply to adapt to the climate of the Philippines. It was meant to be light and cover as much ground for shade and air-flow. And the materials were made sustainable and easy to repair such as plant materials like straws, thatch, and bamboo.

During the Hispanic Era, Bahay Kubos made under Spanish rule were constructed in a similar fashion to how communities were constructed around rivers and streams with a more urban plan set around public places such as churches. They also made with Spanish architecture and design in mind.

Courtesy of Ramon FVelasquez

A colonial-era bahay kubo belonging to

Courtesy of Zernan2014

Bayanihan in action (moving a house)

Courtesy of Bonvallite (This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

Bahay Kubos also exemplifies the Filipino virtue of bayanihan, which refers to a sense of communal solidarity or effort to attain a goal. The genesis of which stems from a widespread practice in Philippine villages in which community people volunteer to help a family relocate by transporting the house to a designated site. It entails physically transporting the home to its new site. This is accomplished by constructing a sturdy structure of bamboo poles to lift the stilts from the ground and hoist the entire home with the men positioned at the ends of each pole. The custom typically includes a little fiesta held by the family to thank the volunteers.

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