SMX Convention Center • Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines • 23-26 April 2009
The
OKIL Venting Light
Screens
Throughout the centuries of
Philippine building tradition, from
up north of the archipelago to
down south, a variety of houses
has emerged. Taking on various
forms --- the rustic bahay kubo,
the elegant bahay na bato, the
modest tsalet --- the Filipino house
has been shaped by the demands
of the environment and available
building materials.
Because of our country’s
tropical climate, one distinct feature
of the Filipino house is the concept
of transparency. This characteristic
allows for maximum ventilation or
better circulation of air, making the
house rather comfortable despite
the scorching heat and stifling
humidity of the tropical climate.
These climatic concerns are
addressed with wide windows,
elevated floors, roof vents, open
porches and fretwok at the upper
portions of partitions, giving the
Filipino house an airy or maaliwalas
ambiance. Hence, making the
structure truly “a house that
breathes.”
In some parts of Mindanao,
particularly around the Davao
Gulf area, an architectural detail
has evolved in response to the
tropical climate --- the okil venting
light screen or VLS. This is a creative
ventilation detail that brings in
outside air and shadowed light into
the house’s interior. The light screen
consists of repeated patterns of
carved wood panels with interesting
curving designs in its perforations.
Okil comes from the Malayan
word “ukit” which means to carve.
The VLS’ flamboyant pattern takes
off from the okir, the Maranao’s
ornate curvilinear motifs applied
in woodcarving, popularly found
in the panolong, the potruding
beam-end of the torogan or the
Maranao datu house.
The VLS, while resembling the
calado, runs the whole length
of the exterior wall and is also
found above the window transom
and ventanilla, while the latter
is mainly positioned in the upper
parts of interior partitions. Aside
from allowing cross ventilation, the
light screen allows diffused light to
stream into the house while casting
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