Bahay Kubo as Iconography: Representing the Vernacular and the Nation in Philippine Post-War Architectures

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe bahay kubo, or the traditional Philippine vernacular house, has been immortalised in popular and academic literature and arts as the quintessential representation of Philippine architecture. Architects of the 20th century continually used the bahay kubo as a source of inspiration for developing a supposed distinct Philippine architecture. This paper investigates the beginnings, contexts, and issues surrounding the development of the bahay kubo as a popular icon. Specifically, the paper analyzes the representation of the bahay kubo in the works of Filipino architects after World War II and its relationship with issues of nationalism and post-colonial subjectivity. The paper explores articles, books, built architectural work, expositions, and other representations of bahay kubo embedded in the public imagination. In the final analysis, the paper uncovers the implications and problematics of the canonisation of the bahay kubo as symbol and its relationship with the development of Philippine post-colonial discourse on nationalism.