PNR Design Concept: Bahay-na-Bato
In year 2000, the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, Inc. (FAAP) officially launched a project to construct a Philippine Nationality Room (PNR) at the Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh. Together with the support of other Filipino American organizations within the tri-state area and beyond, the FAAP will build a classroom that will commemorate the history, culture, and people of the Philippines. This will be a great addition to the already built 26 Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral which attracts 40,000 visitors annually.
Keeping in mind the principles and guidelines set forth by the University of Pittsburgh for the creation of the Nationality Rooms, the PNR Committee developed a rigid set of criteria for evaluating the proposed design concepts. These included uniqueness (distinctly Filipino), timelessness, ability to promote the country, and most importantly, the power to tell a story and depict the soul of the Filipino.
On September 13, 2006, the committee unanimously voted in favor of the Bahay na Bato design.[TODO: Add when the FAAP board concurred]. The design concept was unveiled to the FAAP membership at its 50th Anniversary Ball on October 28, 2006. Enthusiastic support was evident from the financial contributions generated that evening.
Bahay-na-Bato Interior Renderings. Click the image to enlarge.
Proposed Design Concepts
Over 5 years of research and consultation with experts and artists to decide on this most important element of the project resulted in three concepts for consideration:
Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut) is a rural dwelling on stilts with thatch roofs, and walls made of bamboo, grass, leaves, and reeds. The proposed design originated from the student laboratory of Prof. Rene Luis S. Mata at the University of the Philippines, College of Architecture.
Dap-ay is a circular stone-paved court structure which served as a community space for villagers since pre-colonial days. The design concept is proposed by artist Eliseo Art Silva who is now based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bahay na Bato (Stone Ancestral House) is a Spanish-influenced stately house with stone lower walls and a wooden upper story with high ceilings, sliding capiz shell windows, balustrades, and wood floors and walls. The design concept is proposed by Philippine Heritage and Conservation Architect and author Maria Cristina V. Turalba.
Location
In year 2000, the PNR Committee selected Room 313 because it was the last large room available, and it had a bay window and a second window that provided opportunity for more natural light into the room. The committee thought of having translucent glazing in the openings to allow light in but not the view of the campus. The idea was to impress to those who walk into the room the feeling of what it would be like to be in the Philippines. In addition, the larger room would allow for the most flexibility in the design, and would provide sufficient space for board meetings and other events. The other smaller rooms would have limited the use of the space.
University of Pittsburgh - Policies and Guidelines
The PNR project adheres to the following policies and guidelines established by the University of Pittsburgh under the leadership of E. Maxine Bruhns, Director of the Nationality Rooms Program.