Modern bahay kubo designs in the Philippines

Many homeowners in the Philippines now opt to build homes that are made almost entirely of concrete but there are still those who want to live or at least occasionally spend time in a bahay kubo, the traditional house that Filipinos used to live in. Bahay kubo style houses, for instance, are popular in beach resorts and as guest housesThe modern version of the nipa hut has already taken different designs but living or staying in a modern day bahay kubo while on vacation still offers several advantages.

 

 

The bahay kubo, for one, is airy. It uses light materials that are well suited to the country’s warm weather. The walls made of bamboo mats allow the air to get in providing comfort during a hot day.  The walls also allow sunlight to filter in so natural light gets inside.

 

 

 

Because it uses indigenous materials such as bamboo, coconut lumber and rattan, a bahay kubo is also cheaper to build. In rural areas where bamboos abound, getting the bamboo poles to be used as wooden posts only takes cutting the poles.

 

 

There are also suppliers who sell bamboo, coconut lumber, sawali (bamboo mats) and other materials used in bahay kubo at a relatively cheap cost. The price of bamboo poles can range between Php 150 to Php 300 pesos depending on the size and the location of the supplier. The supplier may also charge for trucking fee to deliver these materials and this could fetch about Php 1,000.

 

 

 

As for sawali measuring 4FT x 8FT for interior and ceiling use, cost is about Php 450 while sawali measuring 7FT x 30FT for use in construction and perimeter fencing costs Php 2,250. The price may also vary depending on the area. Delivery charges may likewise apply.

 

 

The roof of the bahay kubo is traditionally made of nipa but use of this material has several downsides. Nipa can be easily damaged by wind and rain water so a GI sheet roofing can be opted to. Some modern day bahay kubo are also a combination of concrete, bamboo and sawali.

 

 

If you are looking forward to having your own modern day bahay kubo, professional builders with years of experience can help you build and design a bahay kubo style house but you can design the house yourself.

 

 

Roughly the entire cost of building 1 of these bahay kubo can range from 250,000 Pesos to 350,000 Pesos per 50 square meters. One factor of the price difference is your location and the type of materials that you’re going to use. The price also excludes the price of lot.

 

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