The descriptions of the House of Kapitan Tiyago lead to the formulation of the design

in resemblance with the Bahay na Bato, in Spanish as Casa Filipino. This housing trend is

originated during the Philippine Spanish Colonial Period. It is an evolution of the Philippines’

Bahay Kubo, known for its masonry and wood construction usage. The ground floor is made

up of using stone and brick materials and later synthetic concrete. In contrast, the upper floor

is made up of innovative wood construction rather than organic styles with bamboo and nipa

grass on the exterior wall.

 The ground-floor courtyard and stable, the staircase from the entrance hall with its

ornate grillwork, the sala or living room, the corridor leading to the bedrooms, and the dining

room were the focal points of the design which are deemed to ensemble the ancestry of the

architecture. By looking back at the history of Architecture in the Philippines focusing on the

Bahay na Bato, the descriptions are thereby emphasized incorporating these designs when

reading the opening chapters of the “Noli”.

“A wide stairway with green balustrades and rug-covered steps leads to the house

from an entrance hall overlaid with painted glazed tiles, amidst potted green plants and

baskets of flowers atop porcelain pedestals of motley colors and fantastic designs… At the

center is a long table … surrounded by colossal mirrors and sparkling chandeliers. Over there

on a pine platform is the magnificent grand piano… The furniture is elegant, but somewhat

uncomfortable and unhealthy: The owner of the house is more concerned with the luxury of

his household than with any hygienic consideration for the wellbeing of his guests.”
Recreating the Design

A. Exterior

The following are the notable features of the exterior in the innovation of the house of

Kapitan Tiyago in the real world.

a. Stone material on the ground floor

b. Wood construction method at the upper floor

c. Sliding windows with synthetic wood framed

d. Low-pitch roof

e. Hanging plants

f. Absence of door carvings

B. Interior

a. Stairs

Wide staircase with green newels and carpeted steps leads from the entrance up to

main floor between flower-pots sets upon pedestals of motley-colored and

fantastically decorated Chinese pattern.

b. Dining Area

 Spacious Hallways

 The dining room is spacious with a large table on the center and at the side

is a place for orchestra.

 Paintings on the wall

c. The Sala

 Piano at the Center

 Paintings

 Curtains
d. At the back of the room fastened, splendid and elegant framework in a

Renaissance style by Arevalo, is a glass wherein the two figures of old women can

be seen.