Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts

Architecture, Interior Design and Fine Arts Department

Gov. Pablo Borbon Campus II, Alangilan, Batangas City

MUSEUM IN FLUX

Employing Populism Theory in Creating an Inclusive Environment

A Proposed Renovation of Museo Valenzuela in a fused Filipino Industrial Style

A Thesis Proposal Presented to the Faculty of the

College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts

Department of Architecture, Interior Design and Fine Arts

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

Submitted by:

VILLANUEVA, JOHN ALVIN M.

Month and Year
APPROVAL SHEET

(Format to Follow)
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………………i

Approval Sheet…………………………………………………………………………………..ii

Dedication…………………………………………………………………………………….….iii

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………..…………….iv

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………..v

Chapter I – The Problem and Its Setting

1.1

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..1

1.2 Background of the Study…………………………………………………….

……..2

1.3 Statement of the

Problem…………………………………………………………..3

1.4 Objectives of the

Study……………………………………………………………..4

1.5 Significance of the Study…………………………………………….

……………..5

1.6 Scope and Limitations…………………………………………………..

…………..6

1.7 Definition of

Terms…………………………………………………………………..7

Chapter II – Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

2.1 Review of Related Literature and Studies………………………………………..8

 2.1.1 Foreign Literature…………………………………………………………9

2.1.2 Local

Literature…………………………………………………………..10

2.2 Conceptual Framework……………………………………………………………

11

2.3 Synthesis……………………………………………………………………...……12

Chapter III – Research Methodology

3.1 Research

Design…………………………………………………………………..13

3.2 The Sample……………………………………………………….……….………14

3.3 The Instrument…………………………………………………………….………15

3.4 Data Collection Procedure……………………………………….………………16

3.5 Data Analysis Procedure…………………………………………………………17

 Chapter 1

The Problem and Its Setting

1.1 Introduction

Over the years, museums has evolved from being predominantly cultural

repositories to playing the role of a learning environment. Accompanying this

development is an increased emphasis on visitor experience. The physical context of

the museum has long been established as a vital facet in optimizing visitor

experience(Falk and Dierking, 2000). However, the context of how visitors really

perceive a museum environment is rarely explored and given attention. While a lot of

museums today has set sights on their educational role, the historical depository

function is still evident and the role in learning is not rigorously fulfilled.

Today, a lot of things is happening in our country and conflicts are rising in the

different areas of society. Due to this reason, museum seems to be more relative and

vital than it has ever been before. Amidst all these conflicts, museums can fulfill the

responsibility of preserving civic life by becoming a monumental aspect of the

community.

Though a fast growing economy, the Philippines is currently subjected to issues

like the proliferation of fake news, conflicts in the justice system, oppression of freedom

of expression and many more. All of this grievances requires the reassertion of society.

Museums has a role to play here as an environment that embodies a trusted public

space with the ability to address complicated stories and foster a more educated

citizenry.
 In its reinvention of becoming a community oriented establishment, museums

have become cultural hubs serving as an avenue where creativity is combined with

knowledge. It has become a place where enrichment of cultural life is being attained by

the promotion of cultural activities.

As long as museums serves only its primary function as a place where historical

artifacts are housed and collected, they will not be able to change in an inclusive way.

1.2 Background of the Study

In the Philippines, museums provide a glimpse of our rich history and culture,

particularly the country’s past enriched by colonizations and foreign occupation.

Museo Valenzuela is a museum in Valenzuela in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is

the city’s historical and cultural landmark.

The museum, funded by the Museo Valenzuela Foundation Inc. (MVF), was first

opened to the public on November 6, 1998.

On 2003, an agreement between the foundation and the local government was

made to share management on the museum.

On this day, the museum features collections of artifacts depicting the city's past

and continuing development. It is likewise a venue for historical, cultural, and artistic

presentations as well as seminars and symposia on national and local issues.

The museum’s entrance was designed for the precolonial period and its

architectural design is based on the bahay na bato.

Considering all this facts, it is evident that Museo Valenzuela is one of the

establishments that is redefining its missions, goals and functions. Its intention to create
a sense of affinity to the community it serves enables Valenzuelanos to reminisce how

their city came to be. Its role in providing a space for meaningful exchange about our

society also proves that it is more than just a historical depository.

This study is conducted to create a museum in flux, particularly a museum

experience that is constantly changing. Through this research, the role of the museum

as a center of the community can be established. This will then negate the elitist appeal

of the museum that is viewed as a place meant only for a specific group of people.

The tenor of this research is to create a design that will address the functions that

the museum delivers. Furthermore, the design will foreground the role of the museum

as an agent of change and development. Considering that the environment being dealt

with is a museum, the complexity of the problem lies in designing the museum without

deteriorating its historical context.

The theory to be employed is the Populism Theory, developed in the 19 th

century. Although populism is initially a political approach, this study will fuel the

possibility of it being explored outside its political connotations.

The style in which the design will rest is a fusion of a Filipino and Modern

Industrial Style. This will provide the opportunity to juxtapose the raw with the redefined,

and the modern with the classic by combining modern design with age-old materials

that comprises the existing space.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

According to the management of the museum, no formal designer engaged in the

field of designing museums was consulted during the time when the museum is being
constructed. As a result, a poorly planned space hindered the utilization of space in

order for the museum to perform its duties.

In lieu of designing the museum to be a facility in the historical and cultural

standpoint, the goal is to come up with a design that will further establish the relevance

of the museum in the community it serves.

Therefore, it has come to mind that the following problems should be addressed.

The problems for this study included three major problems and three minor problems

which were structured to offer further insights to the major problem.

1. Major Problems

1.1 Will the fusion of a Filipino and Modern Industrial style prove effective

in designing the museum and will it not suppress the character of the context

existing in the museum?

1.2 What are the aspects of the museum that needs to be maintained and

not deteriorated in the proposed design?

1.3 Will the use of a political, and not a design theory help in establishing

the role of the museum emphasized in this study?

2. Minor Problems

2.1 What will be the solution to provide a more effective space planning

that will benefit the users of the museum?

2.2 Will the design result in a perceivable difference considering the

possibility of a limited modification due to the fact that museums need to stay true

to their context?
 2.3 Will the design cater to the variety of users that the museum is

subjected to?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are sectioned into two parts such as the general

objectives and the specific objectives. This matter is presented for readers to perceive

why the study is conducted.

1.4.1 General Objective

Broadly, this research aims to evaluate the exploration of Populism Theory

and how it can be utilized outside its political implications. This study will focus on

how the integration of Populism theory will be beneficial in enabling the museum

as a central aspect for the populace.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of this study is stated to systematically address

various aspects or factors that could influence and constitute to the attainment of

the general objective. The specific objectives are as follows:

1.4.2.1 To challenge the preconceived elitist appeal of a museum through

the proposed design.

1.4.2.2 To fuse a Modern Industrial style in the existing Filipino interior and

make it an accent statement in the design.

1.4.2.3 To provide a more efficient space planning that will enable the

museum to perform its duties.

 1.4.2.4 To create a design that would bridge the history of Valenzuela to

the local community.

1.4.2.5 To institute an inclusive environment that would foster exchange

and education.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research aims to add to the body of evidence that museums are more than

just about exhibiting the tangible culture and heritage of a place. The researcher desires

to make significant contribution to the reinterpretation of the museum’s role in the

society.

To Museo Valenzuela, the proposal will be of good help for the museum to fulfill

its historical, cultural and educational duties.

To the users of the facility, the study will provide them a better environment that

caters to their varying needs.

To the visitors of the museum, the proposal will provide them with an immersive

encounter and improve their visitation experience.

To the local community of Valenzuela, this research will be of great help in

foregrounding the museum as a center of their community.

To future researchers, this research can be a source of useful information which

can be valuable for their own related studies on this subject.

1.6 Scope and Limitations

1.6.1 Scope

This research set out to explore the possible applications of Populism theory

outside its political implications and how it can be applied on the proposed museum

design. Specific research scope were identified as follows:

 Populism Theory, its juxtaposing equivalents and their ideational definitions

 Museums and their cultural, historical and educational roles

 Theories and techniques related to spatial configurations

 Interior design styles intended to be applied

1.6.2 Delimitations

To further narrow down the intentions of this research, the proponent intends to

address the delimitations that relates to the research design. The delimitations of this

study are as follows:

This research will be looking at Populism theory as the basis of this study.

However, since the theory is inherently political, the researcher will only study its

ideational definition to avoid accumulation of unrelated information.

This research was confined to four areas of Museo Valenzuela namely, the

director’s office, the exhibition space, the conference and workshop room and the

storage room, most of which are commonly found in other museum designs. While it

has the advantage to hinder the results of this study from being site specific, it would

also mean that the results of this research can be applicable to other settings.

The design styles to be used are a fusion of the Filipino and the Modern

Industrial Style. The existing architecture of the museum is in the form of a bahay na
bato which seems to be best relegated to the memories of the past. The Filipino design

style aims to augment this element of the design and heighten the historical appeal of

the museum. The integration of the Modern Industrial style will be intended to bridge the

old and the new and make it an accent statement in the design.

1.6.3 Limitations

It is important to interpret this study in light of its limitations. These includes the

site study and practical constraints on the research.This section of this research will

address the limitations listed as:

Since this design is aimed at the interior environment of the museum, the exterior

envelope of the museum is excluded in this research. Although exterior elements of the

museum plays a vital factor in the sustenance of the museum, these factors are simply

outside the capabilities of the researcher.

This research will also exclude museum objects from the study. This will include

the restoration and reconditioning of the objects exhibited in the museum. Furthermore,

discussion of environmental systems that could affect the status of the museum’s

collection will also be limited. These includes wall and roof construction as well as

relative temperature and humidity standards. These factors are removed from

consideration as it requires a more in depth and extensive study.