Thesis Title: Architectural Documentation of St. Michael, the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor, Cavite
Thesis Proponent: Paulina Mae A. Ordoñez
Design Adviser: Ar. Barren Paul S. Del Rosario, UAP
School: De La Salle University - Dasmariñas
Year of Defense: 2024
Synopsis:
St. Michael, the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor, Cavite represents one of the oldest buildings in Bacoor. Constructed during the Spanish era, it has witnessed several significant events that happened in the City of Bacoor. It also gives the community character and cultural historical value. It signifies one of the victories of the Filipinos. This study aimed to protect and preserve the historical, cultural, and structural value of the church through Architectural Documentation. The vital legacies of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, and economic benefits of the St. Michael, the Archangel Parish Church will be maintained and enriched for the future generation of Filipinos.
This study consists of four phases: 1) Architectural Documentation, which includes photo documentation of the as-found features of the church, architectural elements of the exterior and interior, as-built plans, and as-built drawings; 2) Conditional Assessment, which includes photo documentation of the damages and defects present on the exterior walls of the church which is translated to a graphical record of it; to understand their causes and develop preliminary strategies in restoring the structure to its original state; 3) Material Analyzation, which includes material tests of the clay bricks, mortar, and adobe stone bricks used on the church walls to assess wall material composition and capabilities which is significant to the formation of guidelines; and 4) Formulation of initial guidelines for conservation and preservation of the church which can provide practical instructions and strategies for maintaining its historical and architectural value over time.
The study provides information to help reduce the insufficiency of data that is consistently related to historic and heritage buildings and may contribute to future researchers and heritage enthusiasts who are inclined to conserve and preserve St. Michael, the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor, Cavite.
Statement of the Problem:
The St. Michael, the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor, Cavite, also known as the Bacoor Church is one of the oldest churches in the Province of Cavite. Heritage churches in their many years that were used as a place for holy activities often get weak due to time. Architectural documentation is an effective method for the preservation of old architectural buildings.
The unavailability of photo documentation, and architectural plans and drawings of the church.
The absence of documentation of the different damages and defects that are currently affecting the church exterior walls.
The composition and condition of the primary material of the church walls were not assessed, which makes restoration difficult.
The absence of a well-established basis for conserving and preserving the Bacoor church, coupled with insufficient record of the church’s maintenance activities, presents significant challenges in preventing further deterioration of the building.
Considering these complications, the church is currently devoid of a solid foundation for effective conservation and preservation. The lack of information of the church’s architectural details, materials, measurements, alterations, and modifications made poses a considerable obstacle to executing repairs and renovations. Without a comprehensive understanding of the as-found condition of the structure, the church struggles with informed decisions in restoration and maintenance, thereby risking the preservation of its architectural and historical legacy.
Objectives of the Architectural Thesis:
The main objective of the study is to produce comprehensive architectural documentation to ensure that the historical significance and architectural value of the structure is protected for future generations. The researcher aimed to provide a profiling condition assessment, as-built plans and drawings, and guidelines in conserving and preserving to serve as a basis for future preparation and repairs of the church.
Specifically, this study aimed to achieve the following objectives:
To provide architectural documentation of the as - found features of the church which shall include photo documentation, architectural elements, as-built plans, and as-built drawings of the church.
To identify the defects and damages on the church exterior walls by utilizing references and then create a graphical record of it; to understand their causes and develop initial strategies in restoring the exterior walls of the structure to its original state.
To conduct material analyzation in order to assess church wall material composition and capability, which is significant to the creation of guidelines
To create an initial guide that can serve as a foundation for conservation, and preservation, which will provide practical guidelines and strategies for maintaining its historical and architectural value over time. The initial guideline is a list of recommended and not recommended practices for conservation along with its application and the type of deterioration it is applicable to.
Scope and Delimitation
The study is an architectural documentation and condition assessment of the as-found condition of St. Michael, the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor, Cavite (Bacoor Church) to provide an initial basis for conservation and preservation.
This study focuses on the following: (1) Architectural Documentation; (2) Recording and identification of the types and causes of the deterioration present at the exterior walls of the church; (3) Material Testing to determine the material composition, which will provide material characterization and to serve as a basis for possible material replacement for wall repair that will be included in (4) initial guideline for conservation and preservation of the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor, Cavite.
This study followed the process of architectural documentation through the execution of the following: 1) Photo documentation, 2) Accurate physical measurements on sketches of as-built plans and drawings; and 3) Translation of data into as-built plans and drawings through CAD.
The research paper includes the following as-built architectural plans and drawings: site development plan, floor plans, exterior elevations and sections of the church, roof plan, roof truss details, architectural elements, schedule of buttresses, schedule of doors, and schedule of windows.
The study documented and produced floor plans of the church and its bell tower as well as the supporting areas and facilities which are the adoration chapel, old convent, formation hall, charismatic hall, catechist room, covered hallways, church office, the present or new convent, and parking area.
The study will yield a thorough documentation of the visible defects and damages present on the church exterior walls. The proponent followed the process of 1) recording the defects and damages through physical observation, 2) identifying of the types and causes of deterioration, and 3) translating the data into a thorough photographic record, detailed mapping of various deterioration including: biological colonization, discoloration, cracks, material loss, and detachment. This condition assessment was limited to the visible deterioration on the wall surface of the church, and excluded the foundation, flooring, roof, and ceiling. Site analysis was limited to data necessary for identification of types and causes of deterioration present in the church. Inventory of construction materials was limited to visible materials only. Due to lack of recorded data, the specific construction techniques could not be determined.
This study conducted material testing of the extracted material samples from the walls of the church, which will aid in material analyzation to assess the material composition and capability and allow further research to utilize the data as reference for possible material replacement. The church only permitted the extraction of material samples from the loose parts of the walls only. The material characterization was limited to the materials used on the walls of the church which are clay bricks, adobe stone bricks, and mortar. This study included the following tests: 1) Physical Property Analysis, 2) Binder Analysis, 3) X-Ray Fluorescence, 4) X-ray Diffraction Analysis, and 5) Compressive Strength Testing. The material analysis was limited to basic descriptive analysis and excluded a thorough and in-depth analysis that would require professional interpretation and analysis service.
The translated data of the architectural documentation, graphical record and identification of types and causes deterioration, and results of the material tests will aid in the composition of the guidelines and recommendations in maintaining the church, and in restoring the defects and damages present at the church. This is limited to a tabulation of recommendations, and applications which will serve as an initial guide and basis in the conservation and preservation of the church.
This study excluded the engineering scope of works, such as structural assessments and evaluations of the building. The scope of the study did not include presentation of the drawings of the utility systems. While this study primarily focuses on architectural documentation, it is recommended to consult relevant stakeholders, including church authorities and local preservation organizations, to ensure alignment with preservation goals and community expectations.
The translated data, the as-built plans, and as-built drawings, together with the initial guidelines will be given to the office of the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor, Cavite to serve as a basis for preservation and conservation of the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor, Cavite (Bacoor Church).
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