A PROPOSEDCULTURAL

COMMUNITY COMPEX FOR

THE AGTA AND DUMAGAT TRIBE

OF ISABELA

Presented by Kasala, Janeille Aloha B.

2010121916

A Thesis Presented to theSchool of Architecture, Industrial Design & the Built Environment

Mapua Institute of Technology

ARCHITECTURELEADING TO CULTURE EMPOWERMENT:

REINVENTING INDIGENOUS IDENTITY THROUGH

ARCHITECTURE

How architecture

plays a role in cultural

rebuilding and communicatio

n

THE PROBLEMAND ITS BACKGROUND

Out of the total population of approximately 100 million people, at least 12-15 million inhabitants comprises the 110 ethnic tribes and cultural minorities (12-15%).One of the well-known indigenous tribes in the Philippines are the Negritos.

Negritos are divided into twenty nine

ethno linguistic

population and one of

them is the AGTA.

CURRENT SITUATION OF IPS The Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are rich in natural resources

and cultural biodiversity.

When it comes to survival, most of the IPs depend only on traditional farming and hunting utilizing their ancestral domains whether in upland or coastal areas.

CURRENT SITUATION OF IPS They are considered as the poorest and the

most disadvantaged social group in the country.

Illiteracy and unemployment

are much higher among them

than the rest of the population.

They experience neglect and

discrimination in the provision of

basic social services by the

Government.

Most IP settlements are remote, without access to basic services, and are characterized by high incidence of morbidity, mortality and malnutrition.

Their communities do not have electricity, basic sewage system, and infrastructures.

They are deprived of sustaining their basic human needs in

terms of health, education and security.

THEREFORE… All problems mentioned earlier calls for

a sustainable and resilient community development for the IP communities.

Philippine IPs homelands are very rich resource areas in terms of their physical, biological and cultural resources yet they lack the infrastructures that they need in order to fulfill their basic necessities.

Community development as well as facilities like schools and health center are certainly the keys to solve the present issues in the IP communities.

A healthy community design and sustainable settlement development strategy will improve the living condition of the IPs.

Through architecture, their current conditions can be developed and improved by providing them a sustainable plan for development in terms of a culture sensitive design.

The restoration and development of any community is always influenced by the defining relationships between existing ideas, traditions, values, and culture.

GOALS

The primary goal of the study is to address the current problems and condition of the Agta and Dumagat tribe of Isabela in terms of designing a new and innovative facility that will contribute to the preservation and advancement of their biological and cultural diversity.

The study intends to develop sustainable strategies that will effectively alter the living conditions of the IP community by creating sustainable spaces that are self-sufficient and

aims to improve their community through sociological, environmental, and economical practices.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the study is to develop a sustainable and resilient community that is culture sensitive.

Empowerment of indigenous tribes

Create culturally appropriate ways of training and formation for indigenous children, youth, community leaders, and development workers

Produce Indigenous citizens that are equipped to contribute to the development of IP communities

Protect culture and way of life

STRATEGIES utilize and employ local materials and

infrastructure/mechanical systems, conserve, utilize, enhance and rejuvenate the local natural environment

provide a locally supported approach to community, cultural and human development empowering of the local population

Cultural and community grid pattern development will be given priority keeping in mind the present cultural values of the community.

local materials and available labor that provides jobs for the community

educational infrastructure to thereby strengthen the community

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study creates a significant impact in the dissolving cultural heritage of the Philippines. It will create a deeper understanding and better appreciation of tribal life and culture which creates opportunities for both Agta and non-Agta people. It will lead to the empowerment of IPs in taking pride of their culture and in educating ethnic minorities in the country.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The study will be limited on a case study to be conducted in the different Agta communities of Sierra Madre in Isabela and the gathering of data from people’s views along with their opinions on the current problems the tribe is facing base from experiences. The study covers the development of an IP community which will establish a community center with educational and health care facilities.

This study will focus on exploring different architectural solutions in formulating the design concept for a sustainable living within the Dumagat community.

The study will not cover the cost estimation of the project.

ASSUMPTION

The study will give a deeper understanding of the culture of the Dumagat tribe. It will conduct a thorough analysis of their social structure which will be integrated in the design phase. The social structure of a community is the determining factor of a sustainable environment.

The study will prove that architecture can be the answer to the empowerment of cultural minorities that loses its identities due to the globalization of today and by sustaining their basic necessities in a traditional and practical way.

NEED ANALYSIS

The Agta of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park are in a highly disadvantaged position whether it comes to their health condition or educational background.

Although this undesirable situation is acknowledged by government and nongovernment organizations, interventions to address these problems are very limited.

The few attempts at the provisioning of health care and education facilities by government and NGOs are unsystematic and remain without lasting impact.

Thus, there is a deep need in providing them the facilities which offers them the provisions of having not only informal education but formal education as well and to provide them access to basic health services.

CONCLUSION

Based from the computed and analyzed results, the researcher concludes that education will empower the Agta and Dumagat community of Isabela.

The community center will give them the benefits and provisions they need where they lack most.

The center will be their bridge towards sustainability and development. It will help them improve and cultivate their culture and introduce their traditions to the Non-Agta communities as well so that their culture will not be neglected and will be remembered through time.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In designing the facility, culture sensitive design must always be observed. Since the Agtas have different behavior when it comes to livelihood and education, they must not be pushed towards the lifestyle of non-ethnic minorities.

The structure must adapt to their way of living as they will adapt to the structure.

SITE IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS

Since the target end users are ethnic minorities, the criteria will be culture sensitive and will incorporate the tribe’s traditions and practices in the site selection phase.

Moreover, the principles to be discussed will help the community and the governing persons to locate the most viable spaces for certain facilities, like the school or the health center.

SITE OPTION DESCRIPTION(AT LEAST 3 SITES)

The three chosen sites are studied and compared to choose the best location for the community center. Each one is to be assimilated using the criteria discussed earlier. All of the sites are located within the territories of the Ancestral Domain of the Agta Tribe, thus, giving them all the privileged and rights to sustain their necessities. There are minimal commercial, institutional or any other establishment near its proximity since the territory lies within the Sierra Madre Mountain range.

SITE SELECTION AND JUSTIFIC

ATION

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

SITE A SITE B SITE C

Site Condition 3 3 2

Size 5 5 4

Flexibility 4 5 3

Accessibility 2 3 1

Availability of Utilities 2 2 1

Topography 2 3 2

Susceptibility to Hazard 2 3 2

Security 2 3 2

Zoning 5 5 5

Demographic 4 4 3

Availability of Natural Resources

4 4 4

Proximity to Communities 4 4 2

Historic and Cultural Characteristic

4 5 3

Community Social Structure

3 4 3

TOTAL 46 53 37

1 – Poor 2 – Fair 3 – Good 4 - Very Good5 – Excellent

STRENGTHS 

Cold air 

Scenic landscape for tourism development

Soil fertility

Rich in natural resources

WEAKNESS  Lack of daily necessities

Education status 

Health support and facilities

Housing and shelter 

Transportations (poor roads and bridges conditions)

Electricity (insufficient source of power supply)

Telecommunications (no communication network)

OPPORTUNITIES  Good geophysical

environment serve as a tourist spotThe place possesses stunning scenery that if in particular to developed and discovered can be a famous tourist spot in the place.

Make their natural resources as a new innovative product and sell it to the market The site is abundant in natural resources such as coconut trees, bamboo, rattan and other plants that they can use to invent useful products to sell for their livelihood.

THREATS  Natural disaster risk

management issue Since the place was situated near the mountains and river, it is exposed to the threat of natural disasters like typhoons, landslides, flashfloods, mudslides etc. that can result to damage of properties, agriculture, infrastructure and even loss of lives.

Security for intruders / strangersThe area was mountainous and secluded-like place that is a good place for such activities like illegal logging, forest fires etc. resulting to disadvantages for the people who resides in the area.

Map showing Negrito Populations in the Philippines

(Based on Headland 2003; Seitz 2004 Gordon 2005)

Distribution of Negrito Populations (based on Headland 2007)

PROVINCIAL SETTINGISABELA

Isabela comprises an aggregate land area of 10,665 square kilometres (4,118 sq mi), representing almost 40 percent of the regional territory.

It is the largest province in the island of Luzon and the second largest province in the Philippines in terms of land area.

It is located on the right-most part of the Northern Luzon facing the Pacific Ocean and encompassing parts of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Isabela is one of the typhoon-prone provinces in the country due to its location.

THE MICRO SETTINGGEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Situation of the study area in the Philippines (right) and close up of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park with its nine municipalities and buffer zone (left)

SITE ANALYSIS

Land Use

The land use classification at the coastal tows is predominantly forest land, with about 86% of the total land area allocated for protection and production forests.

Dinapigue has largest forest cover, with 98% of the town’s land area is classified as forest. The total area utilized for agricultural 14,307 hectares for all the coastal municipalities. Among the four towns, Palanan has largest agricultural land with 10,339 hectares, or 8% of its total are is allotted for agriculture. The build-up are at the coastal municipalities is minimal at 0.16%, with Divilacan having the highest built up are in terms of actual area and percentage.

Geography

The topography of the area is a range of peaks and ridges extending from the North to South, divides the East and West portion.  The terrain varies from the North to South, divides the East and West portion.  The terrain varies from relatively low hills with moderate to steep slopes near the coast or very steep slopes in the central portion of the range.

CENRO Palanan occupies the mid-section of the mountain range stretching from the boundary of Cagayan Province on the North, Aurora Province on the South, the Cagayan Valley on the West, and the Philippine Sea on the East, Climatic type falls under Type IV.

EXISTING DAYCARE SCHOOL TEACHING DUMAGAT PEOPLE

MULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY CENTER LOCATED AT BRGY. DIGUMASED, CENTER OF DINAPIIGUE. THE CENTER IS USED ALSO WHEN CONDUCTING ACTIVITIES FOR THE DUMAGATS.

AGTA SETTLEMENT

PROGRAMMING

PART IV. Architectural Design Translation

In this chapter, the proponent will explain further the Architectural approach and methods that will be adopted in order to give solutions to the problem discussed in the earlier chapters. This chapter is considered as the first phase of conceptualization that will be discussed all throughout the proceeding chapters of the study.

PROBLEM DIAGNOSISDesign Program

The IP communities are in deep need of revitalization. Since they only depend on their natural environment to survive, the community they live in must be sustainable and efficient. Community development as well as facilities like schools and health center are certainly the keys to solve the present issues in the IP communities. A healthy community design and sustainable settlement development strategy will improve the living condition of the IPs. Through architecture, their current conditions can be developed and improved by providing them a sustainable plan for development in terms of a culture sensitive design. The restoration and development of any community is always influenced by the defining relationships between existing ideas, traditions, values, and culture.

DESIGN CRITERIA

In this part, the proponent will suggest possible solutions and different principles that will be implemented in the design of the community development complex. In this stage, fundamentals of collected ideas will be created and will be serve as the preliminary process of conceptualizing architectural solutions.

DESIGN OBJECTIVESThe design objectives are the primary goals of the

proponent. The proponent’s project aims to:To be able to improve the present quality of community life of the AgtasTo be able to provide and deliver the basic and essential needs of the communityTo be able to develop the skills and potential of the Agta peopleTo be able to strengthen and empower the values, the culture, and the rights of the Agta tribeTo be able to establish a link between indigenous peoples, learning spaces, education and self-worthTo be able to cultivate a strong sense of ethnic identity from shared culture, religion, geography and language of individuals within the kinship and proximityTo be able to promote social justice, equality and respect for cultural diversity among different IPs and non-IPs.

PHILOSOPHY

“The architecture of a building should be enough to make a statement that architecture is one of nature, and one cannot stand without the other, their lives are fused together.”

PRINCIPLEThe principles followed by Indigenous Peoples:

1.Closeness and unity with natureThe environment is the basic source of food. Medicines and materials for the home It is also where culture, tradition, and customs of the tribes are rooted. The environment is the extension of life and body. Hence, it is necessary to preserve and maintain the people’s closeness to and good relationship with the environment.

2. Collective leadershipThe tribal title holders and the whole tribe strongly believe that a collective leadership is still effective and appropriate even in the present modern times because the IP’s tradition of collective leadership that promotes a free, peaceful and modestly progressive community.

3. Communal ownership if the basic sources of livelihood in the community for the tribes, things are not owned by anybody. Humans are just steward of things on earth and are free to use the in order to live and survive n this world. Although, they also respect the right of every individual to own personal properties.

4. Equal status of every human in the societyThis concept is based on the view that land is the mother of humanity. This being so human beings as children are equal. It is forbidden to use fellow human beings on order to elevate one’s status in the society.

5. Peace of mind as a basis of justice and developmentPeace of mind is the absence of conflict in the community, whether physical or emotional. This is the basis for justice and development for all and not the satisfaction of one person or a few people in the community.

6. Progressive PluralismIt is characterized by being open to other individual or group of people. Though their beliefs and mind are open, it does not mean however that their principles are lost.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTARCHITECTURE AS AN

ECOSYSTEMEverything in the natural world is connected. An ecosystem is defined as a community of living and non-living things that work together. All the parts work together to make a balanced system.

&SUSTAINABILITY

EQUILIBRIUM

SUSTAINA

BILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL

SOCIAL

ECONOMICAL

CULTURAL

INTERACTIVE

ECOSYSTEM CONVENTIONAL PLANNINGDEVELOPMENT

FUSIONMAN & NATURE

BETWEEN

SPATIAL EQUITY

SEMANTIC & SYMBOLIC ARCHITECTURE

HOLISTIC DESIGN

It provides a holistic community development project, integrating education, agriculture and

health care with humane and environmental design strategies.

STRUCTURAL CONCEPT

THATCH

CLAY BRICK

BAMBOO

MATERIALS

BAMBOO FRAMING

INNOVATIVE USE OF LOCAL AND TRADITIONAL MATERIALS

UTILITY CONCEPTVENTURI & BERNOULLI’S EFFECT

PASSIVE VENTILATIONGLAZING & DAYLIGHTING

COLLECT

STORE

RELEASE

PERMAVOIDRAIN-WATERHARVESTING SYSTEMPOTABLE WATER SYSTEM

as

&

The community facilities have been split into separate buildings to allow ventilation of all external spaces.

Rooms are arranged in a linear configuration orientated approximately perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction for best cross ventilation.

The community is designed to enhance natural cycles, using local resources to generate solar power, purified rainwater and passive ventilation to create healthy and sustainable environments.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS (LAWS AND STANDARDS)In this chapter, the proponent points out particular factors and

certain principles that will be considered in the design process. These are the important keys to be considered in the design process because the feasibility and credibility of the structure to be built depends upon these laws and standards.

Standard Classroom Dimension

I. Space StandardsA. Pre-School (Kindergarten Level)1. School site must have a minimum lot area of 500 square meters. The area may be divided into a minimum of 140 square meters for the playground. This area is only good for not more than 4 classes.2. Space for playground must be provided, otherwise, easy and safe access to the nearest part of open space not more than 200 meters walking distance from school site may be presented as an alternative.3. Classroom size should be 1 ½ square meter per child.B. Elementary School SitesSize. The size of the site must meet the requirements of the enrollment and kind of schools as well as the recreational needs of the pupils. It shall be wide enough to make adequate provisions for an athletic field playground, lawns, agricultural activities and future building expansions. The standard requirements of school site for elementary schools are as follows:a.One-half hectare (1/2 ha.) for a non-central school which has only one or two classes and no grade above Grade IV.b.One hectare (1 ha.) for a central school which has six classes or for non-Central School which has from three to four classes.c.Two hectares (2 has.) for schools which have from seven to nine classes.d.Three hectares (3 has.) for schools which have from ten to twelve classes.e.Four hectares (4 has.) for schools which have more than twelve classes.However, for special cases or where there is difficulty in meeting the above standards, the following may be allowed:For Rural Areas:

One-half hectare (1/2 ha.) for a central school which has six classes, for a non-central school which has from three to four classes. One and one half hectare (1 1/2 ha.) for schools which have from seven to ten classes. Two hectares (2 has.) for schools which have more than 10 classes.

Summary of Health Services Facilities and

Functions

Location Criteria/Guidelines for the Different Hospitals and Health Facilities

Rural Health UnitsBarangay Health Station (BHS) - the BHS is the initial unit which dispense basic health care i.e. maternal and child care, immunizations, treatment of simple medical conditions, nutrition, family planning, sanitary health care, emergency treatment and health education. The recommended service zone is from three (3) to five (5) kilometers considering transport availability for both the patient and medical staff and serving a population of 5,000. The BHS is manned by full-time rural health midwife. It should be centrally located and grouped with the other institutional facilities such as chapel, school and park/playground.

SPACE PROGRAMMING AND ALLOCATION

In this chapter, the proponent will show the different spaces that will connected to make the community development complex. The table below shows the zoning of the areas and their corresponding computations. All computations were based on the National Building Code of the Philippines

SPACE PROGRAMMING AND ALLOCATION

SPACE PROGRAMMING AND ALLOCATION

BEHAVIORAL ANALYSISThe following diagrams show the behavior of the users from day to night

every day.

Wake Up Breakfast

Hunting/ Selling goods/ Craft Work/ Household Chores

LunchHunting/ Selling

goods/ Craft Work/ Household Chores

Wake Up Breakfast

Play

Dumagat (Children)

Dumagat (Adults)

Arrival

Tend to Patients

Break

Healthcare Staff

Arrival

Tour Around/ Socialize

Arrival

Socialize / Conduct Seminar

Tourist (Local and Foreign)

LGU / NGO Volunteers

Arrival

Teachers and Trainers

USER ANALYSISThe user analysis will distinguish the users according to their roles or participation in using the complex.

MINOR USERS:

- LGU OFFICIALS

- NGO VOLUNTEERS

- TEACHERS AND

TRAINERS

- HEALTH CARE STAFF

- LOCAL VISITORS

- TOURISTS

MAJOR USERS

AGTA FAMILIES

-ELDERS

-MOTHER

-FATHER

-CHILDREN

-INFANT

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

FUNCTIONAL ZONINGThe functional zoning shows the arrangement of zones in the site according to their corresponding functions.

ZONE 1: PUBLIC ZONE

•ADMINISTRATIVE AREA

•INTERACTION AND EXPLORATION AREA

•CULTURAL LIVING HERITAGE CENTER

ZONE 2: SEMI-PUBLIC ZONE

•TRIBAL HEALTH CENTER WITH BASIC

EMERGENCY OBSTRETIC CARE FACILITY

•DAY CARE CENTER

•ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM CENTER

•WORK AND LIVELIHOOD TRAINING CENTER

•MARKET

ZONE 3: PRIVATE ZONE

•RESIDENTIAL LANDS

•AGRICULTURAL LANDS

•HUNTING GROUNDS

•BURIAL GROUNDS

•TRIBAL HALL

•ZONE 4: SERVICE ZONE

•ELECTRICAL SUPPLY ROOM

•POTABLE WATER PUMP AND TANK

•RAINWATER STORAGE

•MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY

•SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

TARGET POPULATION: 1,500 – 2, 00

FAMILIES: 200-350

MEMBERS PER HOUSEHOLD: 4-6

ADJACENCY MATRIXThe adjacency matrix diagram will determine the function and

relationship of each spaces. The diagram will show the corresponding nearby areas that are needed by another area. This will be used as one of the bases for the plan and concept of the study.

INTER-RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAM DIAGRAMS

CIRCULATORY DIAGRAM