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space matters: upid’s advocacy

“What will you build? A wall? A roof? A room? Or will you build stronger families, better neighborhoods and brighter futures?”

I saw this in Habitat for Humanity’s website yesterday and made me think about my work. For people like me who are in the design and construction industry, “building” is what we do everyday. But because it has been a part of our daily lives, we tend to forget the meaning and purpose of what we do as builders and designers. We do not just make things pretty and functional; we improve the lives of the people by providing better living and workings environments.

This has been the advocacy of UP Interior Design (UPID) under the College of Home Economics for the past 9 years—to build a better and stronger Filipino society by improving the interior environments of underserved communities and institutions here in Manila. This replaced the typical interior design exhibits that previous batches were organizing.  Apart from helping underserved communities, this annual project also allows students to become aware of the possible impact of their work as future interior designers especially with regards to community building and social change.

Below are the rehabilitation/renovation projects that past UPID students have undertaken:

BID batch AY 2001- 2002 – three underserved institutions: Golden Acres, Study Center for Children, and Gawad Kalinga model unit.

BID batch AY 2002-2003 – the pediatric ward, lobby, doctors’ hallway and chapel of the East Avenue Medical Center (2nd and third images above)

BID batch AY 2003-2004 – a preschool in Payatas, the library and clinic in the Balara Elementary School and the library of the Balara High school

BID batch AY 2004-2005 – Children’s Joy Foundation shelter for children

BSID batch AY 2005-2006 – Barangay Aklatang Pambata (5th & 6th images)

BSID batch AY 2006-2007 – HE Cares Foundation shelter for boys (4th image)

BSID batch AY 2007-2008 – UP Kalayaan Residence Hall

BSID batch AY 2009-2010 – doctors’ clinics at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (top image)

You can read our feature on last year’s Cradle Project HERE. Next week, we’ll share with you this year’s UPGRADE Project that hopes to improve the lives of 7 families! df

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space matters: mau’s eco-elegant design

“Design to inspire” is the prevailing theme of Maureen Grace De Jesus’s winning entry for MADE 2010, Interior Design category. Entitled “Eco-elegant Sustainable Future”, Mau tapped on the recent Ondoy catastrophe to create an interior space that could motivate people to rethink their lifestyle towards becoming more environment-friendly.

One thing noticeable is the recurring use of trees as the inspiration for her design elements. “One reason why we suffer from the adverse effects of global warming is the continuous depletion of our rainforests. My design intends to inspire people to take action against global warming by protecting our trees and our forests,” Mau explains.

The caption “Only God can make a tree” from a poem by Joyce Kilmer and the painted silhouette of a tree by the living area are two strong images that one would see upon entering the space. Apart from tree-related symbols, Mau also integrated the use of recycled wood in her design as a greener alternative. The wall behind the statement is clad in old wood that were salvaged from a junk shop. The tracery panels partially covering the lighting fixtures at the ceiling are discarded old callado panels from Mau’s home. To decorate the interiors, Mau made paintings that feature trees as the subject. Bringing everything together is the use of the color green for the walls to further emphasize the idea.

Apart from taking home the grand prize, Mau says that she also learned more about environmental design through her participation in the contest. “MADE gave me an opportunity to reflect on the issue and translate it into an elegant and comfortable interior space,” Mau shares. This resulting space is her expression of how it is to design and live with nature. {Thanks Mau!}

*photos courtesy of Federal Land

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space matters: heidrun MADE it

As I’ve mentioned yesterday, another good friend made it as a winner of this year’s Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE). Heidrun Milan, our classmate during our review classes for the board exam, got the Special Prize for MADE’s Interior Design category.

Heidrun’s “Ecolectic Reflections” focused on three things: 1) natural ventilation and lighting, 2) use of handmade and indigenous materials and 3) creative use of scrap and recycled materials to minimize waste.

Because the windows are set on one side of the space, he made an effort to create cross ventilation through the door. A narrow louvered panel was hinged on the side of the opening which can hold the door partially open while maintaining the privacy inside. To maximize the natural light coming in, Heidrun painted most of the walls and the ceiling in white. The white surfaces also assisted in maximizing artificial lighting at night.

Apart from using indigenous and handmade materials like bamboo mosaic tiles on the living room wall, jusi fabric (made from abaca or banana fibers) for the curtains, hand-woven tinalak fabric at the bedroom wall, stacked terracotta pots by the kitchen, and recycled metal furnishings and décor, Heidrun also considered using fabric scraps for his soft furnishings. Black and white scrap fabrics were put together in a patchwork style to re-upholster a damaged sofa. Scrap fabrics were also put together through ruching to make the pillowcases.

Because the design was supposed to be for a young, well-traveled couple, Heidrun opted for a warm, bright palette. While giving the interiors a youthful vibe, the orange, red, and blue colors paired well with Heidrun’s choices of indigenous materials. Altogether, the design elements created a composition that’s high in culture and style but low in embodied energy. (see the rest of the images in the gallery below) {Thanks again Heidrun!}

*images courtesy of Federal Land and Heidrun Milan

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space matters: made to be green

Now on its 26^th year, Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE), an annual competition of Metrobank Foundation Inc., has been giving recognition to up and coming Filipinos in the fields of painting, sculpture, architecture and interior design.

For the past years, MADE highlighted environmental design as the theme for both the architecture and interior design categories to inspire and raise awareness on how environmental issues could be addressed in design. I am proud to say that two of the past winners in the interior design category are our friends from college—April Frigillana (2008 Grand Prize) and Pauline Cuevas (2009 Special Prize).

April’s design entitled “Nature’s Links” (top and above) integrated creative recycling, reusing, and repurposing in her design. Read more about her design here.

On the other hand, Pauline’s “Cool Chic” concept took a fresh approach on sustainable design. Apart from featuring green design strategies, she also made an effort to make her design (below) look and feel young, hip and current to make it more relevant and appealing to the younger generation. “I want to bestow a fresh and young feel to the [interiors], hence the use of lively colors. Sustainable design doesn’t have to be boring,” she explains. More on here design here.

Apparently, one of this year’s winners in the ID category also happens to be a good friend! Will be sharing his winning design tomorrow. -ardel

*images via metrobank foundation inc.

space matters: nursery designs

Yesterday, I mentioned that, in decorating your baby’s space, you have to bear in mind that the nursery is also a space that will be shared by the rest of the family. So, you may want to consider a design concept or decorating theme that is appealing to both the little one and the adults taking care of him/her. Here are a few images of nurseries that are cute but not too babyish, ranging from contemporary, vintage, and dainty period style:

*photos via droolicious, charles & hudson, home workshop, ohdeedoh, and project nursery.

space matters: safe nursery

Over the weekend, our schoolmate (and my friend since 5^th grade), Sariah, gave birth to her second child, Max Andre! To sort of celebrate this newest addition to our group, I thought of doing a post on some helpful tips in designing your baby’s nursery.

• If you’ll be cleaning and refinishing the room, do it several weeks before the baby arrives. This gives you enough time to air the space and free it of pollutants from paints and cleaners.
• Wood floors with area rugs are better than wall-to-wall carpet for easy and thorough cleaning.
• Before you get excited over picking bright colors, remember that the nursery is a sleeping space. Choose a color scheme that is relaxing and easy on the eyes, especially for the mother. Too bright or too many colors may be too much visual stimulus for both the baby and the mother, and may, in the end, cause stress.
• Always remember that babies are very sensitive to chemical vapors and synthetic substances that may come in contact with their skin. Avoid furnishings made of plastic and MDF because they emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Use your nose to detect which products to avoid—if it gives off a smell, it’s out of the room.
• Adding a plant like a potted spider plant can assist in removing common indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide.

• Fit covers over electrical outlets or relocate them high up on the wall. Make sure that there are no dangling cords from blinds, shades and appliances.
• The crib should be stable and durable, with no sharp edges. The spacing of the side bars should not go beyond the range of 1.5 to 2 inches, while the drop side should have a locking mechanism. Ideally, opt for an unpainted wooden crib.
• Choose natural fibers and fabrics for the beddings and toys. Instead of plastic, use rubber with a terry facing for the undersheet. Always wash clothing and beddings before their first use to get rid of any traces of dirt, dyes and other chemical treatments.

Hope these pointers will help in creating a safe and comfortable nursery for you and your baby.

space matters: black walls

I find it funny that most of us are scared of using two particular colors (or technically, non-colors) liberally: white and black. With regards to white, I understand that maintenance issues keep us from using it all the way, with the dust and pollution that may turn our white rooms into gray. Apart from that, there’s the Filipino’s horror vacui, fearing that an all white room may just look too empty, boring and clinical. I guess Ana’s post of on white rooms sort of debunked that claim.

How about black?

In my five years of writing for three of mega’s design/decorating magazines, I have never encountered an interior where black was used generously, especially for the walls. Maybe it’s a cultural thing–that black for us is just too depressing, negative, and even devilish.

I find black to be an interesting color for interior spaces. Like white, it’s versatile. It can be ultra modern, contemporary, and even traditional. Plus, it adds a certain mysterious character to the room.

Just make sure that when you use black for your walls, you use a paint with a satin or eggshell finish. Semi-gloss paint still has some sheen that will make your black wall look dirty instead of the bold, solid appearance that you’re aiming for.

So, how about we give black a chance? -ardel

*images via little.green (top & bottom) and xJavierx

space matters: bamboo goes modern

Bamboo (the unprocessed poles) for me was traditional, low-cost structures usually found in rural areas. It is anything but modern and sophisticated. That’s how I perceived the humble indigenous material until I saw this design in one of Green Guide’s  architectural magazines four years ago.

This is the Great ‘Bamboo’ Wall, designed by Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma, as one of the 11 private houses in an ecologically aware complex near The Great Wall of China.

Originally, Kuma’s idea of a house is “a sheet of floor floating in nature”, his philosophical reaction against the 20^th century architecture that is dominated by a strong sense of enclosure defined by steel and concrete (Architectural Design 2003). However, his perspective shifted from the horizontal to a vertical emphasis when he designed this modern bamboo house.

Inspired by the Great Wall of China, Kuma highlighted the presence of the walls while staying true to his “anti-enclosure” philosophy. He did this by making the walls permeable and transparent, much like a skin, using bamboo poles as the main material.

Apart from the design’s profound concept, I especially appreciate the “revamped image” given to bamboo by featuring it as a part of a modern architectural composition. Consequently, the organic appeal of bamboo gave this modern, minimalist structure a softer, more natural face. -ardel

*photos via Kengo Kuma‘s site and Architectural Design (September/October 2003)

space matters: tiny apartment transformer

Here’s a design riddle for you: how do you fit 24 rooms in a 30-square meter space?

Change the walls to make the small space transform in 24 different ways!

This was the concept behind the design of this apartment. By incorporating moving walls and foldable components, Architect Gary Chang of Hong Kong has definitely made the most out of his small space. See for yourself in the video above.

The “one space fits all” idea is not new to us. The bahay kubo demonstrates a simple version of this concept where one space is used as a living,  dining, and a sleeping area by folding, unfolding, removing, and adding furnishings. However, Chang’s design incorporates more sophisticated strategies and components to suit today’s complex lifestyle.

I wonder if in the near future this would become the standard, as we see more and more condos being built in the city. I doubt it, though, because it would still be relatively expensive locally. Pricey steel tracks and lightweight wall systems were used for ease of movement. But Chang’s solutions are definitely ingenious.

Check out his other project The Suitcase House Hotel which used a similar design concept.

space matters: white on my mind

Ardel’s makeover post the other day made me think about my favorite spaces.  Ever since I started following design blogs, I always loved looking at all-white spaces and wondered if I can create this kind of look in my future home. I thought I’d share with you some of my favorites:

What’s your favorite space? -ana

Photos by Pia Ulin, Siren Lauvdal from Emma’s blog