Where the Smoke Rises
Despite recent renewed interest in indigenous forms of expression, research into contemporary indigenous architecture outside of the stereotypical bahay kubo within a Philippine context has been lacking. A manifestation of this condition is seen through the resurgence of contemporary adaptations of canao (rituals) in Baguio City in Northern Philippines, encompassing the Ibaloi indigenous group’s intangible practices like dance, music, and oration. Intended as an investigation into the aforementioned gap in architectural discourse, this thesis proposes a design process and architectural response informed by a spatial exploration of the thanksgiving ritual known as peshit. This exploration draws from the peshit’s intrinsic rhythms and atmospheric attributes, and alongside an engagement with Ibaloi cosmologies, culminates in the design of a cultural community centre that supports the learning and expression of contemporary indigenous identity.
