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spacelift: the gift of a better home

Finally, here are the complete before-and-after photos of the 7 rehabilitated homes of UPID’s project with Gawad Kalinga-Laura!

What I particularly like about the students’ designs is that they were able to integrate the average Filipino family’s aesthetic sense—a limitless appetite for color, texture and pattern; a need to personalize their space through a display of objects with sentimental value; and a preference for a happy and festive atmosphere.

Below, the students tell us more about the design brief and the inspirations that guided them throughout the design process. {Thanks Jeliz and congratulations to your batch!} -ardel

[Our batch, which we collectively call UPGRADE, took part in Gawad Kalinga‘s mission of restoring human dignity by renovating the interiors of selected houses in GK-Laura.

Our designs were based on the concept of "Pamana at Kayamanan", which was translated through the integration of the family's tradition, cultural roots, and values. The ultimate goal of the batch was to uplift the standards of living with respect to the family’s identity by creating functional interior spaces that are also physically and visually comfortable.

Taking off from the umbrella concept of “Pamana at Kayamanan”, each of the seven houses was designed with the following inspirations:]

Nicolas Residence: “Harana” (above)

by Iris Henson, Jeliz Mercado, Angelie Valdez and Abigail Villaflor

Gelilio Residence: “Duyan” (above)

by Anica Magpili, Samantha Reyes and Katrina Tolod

Baruelo Residence: “Vinta” (above)

by Celeste Cance, Louie Herrera, Dana Mauricio and Shayne Roque

J. Escober Residence: “Likhang-Kamay” (above)

by Ashley Agustin, Marian Ching, Claire Guerra and Erlynne Pascual

Avila Residence: “Dampa at Dalampasigan” (above)

by Rosaleen Blanco, Rowena Dela Cruz, Edric Pillos and Karmel Ticman

R. Escober Residence: “Payâg” (above)

by Audrey Balberona, Christine Gallor, Carlo Miranda and Mira Sison

Concepcion Residence: “Balik-tanaw” (above)

by Karla Avila, Lea Domagas, Kriska Kalingking and Genevieve Susi

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[The homes were chosen based on seven different family set ups to represent low-income families in the country: extended family, family with home-based business, family with home-based work, family with no regular income, family with an elderly person, and family of a single parent.

Having a limited budget and a small space of less than 30 sqm. per house to work with, each group maximized the available resources through our creativity and design skills. Apart from the actual rehabilitation of the select homes, the project also aims to create “design templates” for use on other GK homes and future GK communities.

Through this project, we realized what design can do — that it can promote environmental awareness, upgrade spaces, enrich lives, and influence their outlook in life.

The batch saw this project as a great challenge, not only on how small spaces can be maximized but also on how we, as design students, can possibly contribute to social development by helping families improve their homes. The batch is ready to advance in the real world of design to continue enriching people's lives by designing and upgrading spaces.]

*photos courtesy of UPGRADE