Seen in photo is a typical colonial house in Biñan, Laguna. Binan has numerous 18th and 19th century type houses, constructed of stone and wood; the former used for the 1st story, and the latter for the upper story, normally the living quarters. Sliding window panels open wide for maximum ventilation and are covered with small squares of kapiz shells to diffuse the tropical sunlight. (also see AR00065). Biñan has numerous 18th and 19th century type houses which have survived up to this time. Most of them have been abandoned by their owners and entrusted to the care of housekeepers. Seen in the photo is a typical middle-class house during the Spanish colonial regime, arbitrarily --- if misleadingly --- referred to as the Antillan style house. The house is constructed of stone and wood; the former used for the first storey, and the latter for the upper storey which is used as living quarters. Sliding window panels open wide for maximum ventilation and are covered with small squares of kapiz shells to diffuse the tropical sunlight. Balconies, which are found projecting from the facade of the true Antillan houses, have receded into the facade of the local version, as barandillas: open spaces between the floor and the windows to let in more air.