I live in a very small subdivision situated in the Greenhills area. One of the many things that Greenhills is known for, aside from what we Filipinos call the “tiangge,” is its large population of Filipino-Chinese people. Let it suffice to say that a vast majority of the residents in our subdivision are also of Filipino-Chinese descent; hence, we also continue to practice the cultures and traditions that have been passed down from generation after generation. Furthermore, it is also important to note that majority of the residents belong to an older age bracket. One example of a common practice in our neighborhood is the welcoming of a new resident that has just recently moved to the subdivision. Cakes, pastries or other kinds of delights are usually given to the new residents as a way of welcoming them into the community. I believe that this kind of practice is very Filipino for it is a sign of how hospitable Filipinos are. Another tradition that we practice is the observance of the Moon Cake Festival. Every time the said festival comes, the neighbors more often than not give moon cakes to each other. The president of the homeowners’ association also organizes a dice game where any member of the subdivision, whether young or old, can join. This practice on the other hand is very traditionally Chinese. Basically, I believe that the neighborhood to which I belong practices a combination of traditions that have been rooted from both Filipino and Chinese cultures.
My own home in the neighborhood is actually very different compared to the rest in terms of design. Our house is more modern compared to the others due to the fact that it has only been existing for four years. It is not the traditional kind of Filipino home where the roofing is made out of clay tiles and is pitched at an angle. On the other hand, the roofing of our house is slightly curved and made out of pre-painted galvanized. Our house is also taller compared to the others, while being slightly less wide. In a way, I think that instead of the “homey” and “comfortable” home, our house actually looks more like a pseudo-building. Furthermore, the green tea color of the walls also reflects a certain boldness and modernity in the general design. There are also a lot of windows that are very wide and tall, a characteristic that I often see in modern homes. In front of the house is a bridge-like structure connected to the entrance gate. Outside the gate are plant boxes that are filled with bamboo plants. It was not originally intended to be as such but other people who have visited our house have said that the feel that the structure gives off is that of a minimalist Japanese-inspired home.
One very important aspect when it comes to the relationship of our family is the need for communication and bonding among the members. There are practically a lot of spaces within our house where we can get together as one family and entertain visitors as well like the dining rooms, foyer and the living room. It is also important to note that we also have a lanai. We usually use this area for late night family talks or sometimes, even barbecue meals. My parents are also very keen on security and the need for privacy which explains the fences equipped with electricity. As for the distinctions between the clean and dirty kitchens and the formal and everyday dining rooms, I believe that these distinctions reflect my family’s high regard for order and discipline. Each member of my family also has his or her own room, with the exception of the master’s bedroom which my parents share. I believe that having an individual space for each of us grants us the luxury of having our own private space for retreat. The close attention to detail and the many types of equipment found in our clean and dirty kitchens also reflect my family’s love for eating and my mother’s very important position in the family as a homemaker. Furthermore, the minimalistic design of the house also reflects the fact that my parents prioritize simplicity and convenience over extravagance.
As was stated previously, our house is more modern compared to the other houses when it comes to the design itself and the colors of the walls. I believe that this can be attributed to the fact that among the residents in our small community, our family is actually already one of the youngest. The older residents usually live in more traditionally designed homes which I think also reflect their conservative nature. On the other hand, I think that the relation between my family’s culture with that of the neighborhood lies on the constant need for privacy and security that is represented by the high walls and gates. This similarity also shows the financial stability of the homeowners. Furthermore, the presence of the club house where social events usually happen within the subdivision provide opportunities for social contact, just like how my family has specific spaces that provide chances for us to interact and bond.
Throughout my time observing my neighborhood, I have concluded that the way buildings or homes are designed are very much reflective of the people who occupy the space. Architecture is basically an expression of who are and our unique practices both as individuals and as a group. The designs of our homes tell us what we prioritize and the fact that we have chosen to reside within a certain space shows our personal status as well. According to Caudill, “Buildings in one way or another, reveal the culture of a people. This is true of primitive people, true of advanced societies (Caudill 119).” I definitely agree with Caudill’s idea because we see different kinds of architecture all over the world that are reflective of each society’s culture and needs. The nipa huts of the Philippines are definitely very different from the white washed homes that the Greeks reside in. The colorful palaces of the Chinese are very different from the castles that are situated in the continent of Europe. Truly, “Through architecture, it's possible to gauge many things about a culture, such as lifestyle, artistic sensibilities and social structure (Shealy and VandeWalle).”
Works Cited
Deasy, C. M., and Thomas E. Lasswell. "Living Together."Designing Places for People: A
Handbook on Human Behavior for Architects, Designers, and Facility Managers. New
York: Whitney Library of Design, 1985. 41-45. Print.
Caudill, William Wayne. "Societal Needs." Architecture and You . 1978. Reprint.
New York: Whitney Library of Design, 1981. 119. Print.
Shealy, Robert, and Lisa VandeWalle. "Relations between Architecture and Culture." HubPages.
N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2011. <http://hubpages.com/hub/Architecture-and-Culture>
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