How would you describe this architecture?

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Does it look more Spanish or Asian?

That's actually AI generated i prompted. The first one has a bit of a curve tip which kind of gave it away but it also has a cross and arches. I made another prompt with a second one without it tho and it leans more towards the Spanish one. The Asian example of the picture in my poll, that is in Okinawa Japan and because of the, arches it also got me thinking it kind of look like a Spanish church tower as well. I know that's not your typical Pagoda but it's still an odd coincidence.

I actually have a theory. I was looking at Magellan's cross Pavilion and I thought it looked like a Buddhist temple somewhat even if it's obviously Spanish architecture. So I was imagining it thinking what if it was stacked like a pagoda and it's somewhat worked.

I was also thinking of Okinawan style houses. It's simple and minimalistic with tile roofs and they don't have that curved edges like your typical Asian style house but they still have that Asian vibes. I tried reimagining it again and picture it with arches, they would definitely look like Spanish tropical houses. It got me thinking that's probably where they got that idea. The tile houses trend from Spain started at 1500s and that is also when they started colonizing.

Spanish

Asian

Updates

11 mo

I have to say it's the tiled roof. I was thinking that may have been where Spain got the idea of using terracotta roof for tropical houses because it's rain resistance. They don't bring Madrid style houses into the tropics. Ryukyu and Taiwan being the closest one to the Philippines which is a Spanish colony, that must have been the missing link that spread it in Latin America.

Updates

11 mo

https//s3-ap-northeast-1. amazonaws. com/thegate/2021/01/08/12/54/12/Taketomi_Village. jpg so this is what those Okinawan houses look like. Looks fairly Asian but all it takes is just arches and they will definitely look like Spanish houses.

[BonzoInBitburg]

I've seen that a lot in the Philippines. There are still a lot of buildings, especially churches, still standing that were built during the Spanish Colonial period. Your picture is the pavilion that displays Magellan's Cross in downtown Cebu.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I'm from that province.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And that tiled roof maybe an Asian influence. These are all Spanish houses and if you put a curve at the edge, it will turn Asian

[BonzoInBitburg]

Many buildings in the Philippines look Asian designed but built with Spanish materials. Probably because it was stronger than the traditional Bahay Kubo houses and could survive typhoons.

[BonzoInBitburg]

Are you still in Cebu?

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Yeah.

Also spaniards don't bring madrid style houses in tropical area. They need rainproof which is why they borrowed tiled roofs probaby inspired by okinawan houses. That picture tho is still something you'd see in modern spain.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Octagonal or quite circular house also exist in Europe but if you add tiled roof to it, it will look kinda like a pagoda. This one is in Granada Spain

[AviatorTom]

Both pictures look Asian, Japanese in particular. The top picture is traditional while the bottom picture is more modern.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

terracotta-panel.com/.../S_Roof_tile.jpg I got that idea from the tiled roof. I always thought there's something Asian about it.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

visitokinawajapan.com/.../...and-village-view.webp and now look at this Okinawan styled houses. They're Japanese houses without the pointy edges.

[WhitneySnow]

Looks more Asian but the cross is a Spanish touch (though there were Japanese Christians in Nagasaki in the 16th and 17th centuries)

[Aiko_E_Lara]

terracotta-panel.com/.../S_Roof_tile.jpg for more references, this is what's Spanish tiled roof architectures look like. They can just build a simple house shape with that and can probably look Asian.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

visitokinawajapan.com/.../...and-village-view.webp but also the houses of Okinawa. If you just put arches in it, It will definitely look like Spanish houses because they don't have that curve edges since Okinawa is typhoon prone.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I can't update anymore but I might just share this here. This octagonal Bell Tower. It can definitely location if they're like stacked

[AI Opinion]

The cross-cultural architectural influences you noticed are fascinating! Spanish and Asian styles certainly share some similarities, especially in their traditional use of arches and tiles. The mix of Spanish colonial architecture with curved arches and tile roofs can resemble Asian styles, particularly in tropical settings. The Okinawan style's simplicity, as you noted, also highlights these universal architectural elements. Cultural exchange often results in these intriguing overlaps, particularly in regions with diverse historical influences. It’s delightful to see how history and design intertwine to create such beautiful and unique structures! 🏯🏰

[WonderingManII]

I think Asian.

[strateguy632]

Top pointy chinese

[NathanDavis]

Asianiard...