Filipino Vernacular Architecture

Balai (House): Traditional Filipino house, characterized by an elevated structure, rectangular shape, and typically one room. Features a high-pitched roof for ventilation.
Cordillera: Regions featuring navigable rivers; houses are designed to be traversable. Removable wall panels and floor mats promote natural air ventilation.
Atap (Roof): Defined by a high-pointed structure, often made from cogon grass or nipa leaves, enhancing durability and aesthetics.
Dindin (Wallboards): Rectangular panels that cover the upper portion of the house, providing both insulation and aesthetic appeal.
Ribayan (Eaves): Found at the lower edge of the roof, designed to protect walls and windows from rain while allowing ventilation.
Tapi (Floor Beam): Essential structural component that connects to floor joists and outer posts, supporting the elevated floor of the house.
Lawang (Drain Gutter): A shallow channel that serves as a drainage system, preventing water accumulation around the base of the house.
Talaxatag (Wood Floor): Fixed wooden flooring that is secured to floor joists, allowing spacing that promotes air circulation.
Bobong (Roof Ridge): A protective cover for the roof space, generally made of cogon grass, designed to be thick and layered for insulation.
Sakkar (Tie Beam): Camber-shaped beam that secures the roof beam (ampakan) to maintain structural integrity of the roof assembly.
Toldog (Floor Joist): Constructed from hand-hewn rectangular lumber, with coved ends designed to support the flooring.
Sidung/Linung (Basement): Space beneath the elevated floor, typically unused, which helps mitigate dampness and humidity.
Anadixiyan (Girder): Rectangular structural member that provides support for the floor beams, ensuring stability.
Rarat (Roof Undersheating): Made from closely-knit dried reed grass, creating a mat that helps with insulation and moisture resistance.
Tabungan (Gable Opening): Designed primarily for smoke exhaust, facilitating ventilation in the living space.
Soba (Breadth of the House): Refers to the overall width of the main structure, a crucial dimension in house design.
The architecture reflects adaptation to the environment, focusing on materials that ensure durability, air circulation, and humidity control.