Witnesses of the oldest China town in the world : architectural profiling of the significant structures in Binondo / by Mary Kae M. Dela Cruz andJanica J. Martinez

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Architecture) Cavite State University

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT), Department of Industrial Engineering and Technology

DELA CRUZ, MARY KAE M., and MARTINEZ, JANICA J. Witnesses of the Oldest Chinatown in the World: Architectural Profiling of the Significant Structures in Binondo. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. June 2018. Adviser: Arch. Paolo Jose P. Llanes.
The study was conducted from August 2017 to April 2018 Binondo, Manila to provide an architectural profiling of the Significant Structures at the town which is known to be the Oldest Chinatown in the World. Specifically, it aimed to: 1. identify the significant structures found in Binondo; 2. identify the role it played in the history of the town; 3. identify the significance of each structures architecturally/historically; 4. determine the evolution of each structures in terms of physical appearance and functions; 5. identify its architectural style, characteristics and features; and 6. document and compile the data gathered for historical purpose. The study was conducted to 15 buildings selected through the criteria proposed by the researchers. The following method was applied throughout the completion of the study: literature review, data gathering, interviews, photo documentations, and manually and computer-aided architectural documentations. The significant structures identified in Binondo were those that contributed hugely to the development of the town architecturally and commercially, especially since the town holds the title as the first prime district for trade and commerce. These structures are Binondo Church, Joaquin House, Fernandez-Hermanos Building, Phil Trust Bank Building, El Hogar Building, Burke Building, China Banking Corporation Building, Grand Café 1919 Building, Juan Luna E-Services Building, Yutivo Building, First United Building, Natividad Building, Regina Building, Capitol Theater and Calvo Building. The architectural drawings of these buildings were manually drawn and scanned for the documentation of the gathered data. After the conduct of the study, the researchers concluded that: 1. the significant structures found were those that bear witness to the progress of Binondo as a town; 2. the history of the buildings goes back from Spanish era to American period, during the flourished of commercial buildings in the country and in the town itself; 3. the primary use of these buildings, since they were mostly commercial, brought significance not only architecturally but also to the commerce and industry of Binondo; 4. the major changes of the buildings, both in physical appearance and functions, were mostly because of the damages brought by the Battle of Manila in 20th century, and the emergence of modernity to the country in 21' century; and 5.
The architectural styles exhibited by the buildings are those that are prevalent during the Spanish and American period such as the Neo-Classical, Beaux-Arts, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Renaissance Style. Based on the results of the study, the researchers hereby recommended that: 1. the study must be used by architects, historians, and students for further study about the town of Binondo; 2. this must be used by the Local and national government unit and agencies for retrofitting and preservation of these significant structures in Binondo; 3. this must be used by the citizens residing in Binondo for their deeper understanding about these structures and awareness due to the rise of modernization within the district; and 4. further research must be conducted to other significant structures in Binondo that was not included in the study.

Submitted to the University Library August 09, 2018 T-7424