The Kohler Bold Design Awards, which honors the region’s most outstanding projects in the design industry, showcases the best talents in the field of innovation and design and aims to create an award-giving body that is able to elevate the practice and design standards in Asia Pacific.
“The overall feedback on KBDA was beyond our expectations. We got hundred of entries and we are satisfied with the quality of submitted works. They definitely highlight the talent and progress of the industry in the country, as it has become world-class and globally competitive, said Ms. Angel Yang, the President of KOHLER Asia Pacific
Judging the entries were highly experienced team of international and Filipino professionals who cover the whole range of property disciplines including the luxury apartments, villas, international airport, famous brand retail stores, high-end hotels, etc.
The panel of judges include Bill Bensley, Creative Director, Bensley Studios (Thailand and Indonesia); Budji Layug, Co-Founder & Designer, BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design (Philippines); Carmelo Casas, President & CEO Casas Architects (Philippines); Kenneth Cobonpue, Founder & Creative Director, Kenneth Cobonpue (Philippines); Royal Pineda, Principal Architect & CEO, BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design (Philippines); Simon Rawlings, Creative Director, David Collins Studio (UK);
The panel of judges include Bill Bensley, Creative Director, Bensley Studios (Thailand and Indonesia); Budji Layug, Co-Founder & Designer, BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design (Philippines); Carmelo Casas, President & CEO Casas Architects (Philippines); Kenneth Cobonpue, Founder & Creative Director, Kenneth Cobonpue (Philippines); Royal Pineda, Principal Architect & CEO, BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design (Philippines); Simon Rawlings, Creative Director, David Collins Studio (UK);
“The process of the KBDA is aligned with the rules of several internationally-renowned design awards. We have very clear criteria and explanation of each award criteria for the judges to be able to evaluate all the entries properly,” added Yang.
For the entries, they were impressive, said the panel of judges. “We were impressed by the quality of entries that were submitted for the first KBDA. It tells a lot about the design and real estate industry in the Philippines, that it is indeed thriving, competitive, and world-class.”
To which Yang seconded, “There are quite lots of high quality entries which we did not expect. Some of the entries came from top developers, top tier designers in the Philippines. We also found some international entries. Kohler Bold Design Awards is definitely the only high level, biggest scale design award in the Philippines currently.”
KBDA was open to hotel operators, hospital and residential development property professionals, architects, and designers from the local market.
Its categories include the Boldest Spaces with sectors representing projects for living, travel, leisure, culture; and the Visionaries, innovation, a category for the prodigies and icons of the industry.
Judges focused on following areas: The boldness of the designer/developer’s choices, overall creativity and imagination employed to realize the project, the usability & practicality of the design for the intended purpose, and overall aesthetics of the space/building and its ability to impact and change the norms of design in the Philippines.
For the entries, they were impressive, said the panel of judges. “We were impressed by the quality of entries that were submitted for the first KBDA. It tells a lot about the design and real estate industry in the Philippines, that it is indeed thriving, competitive, and world-class.”
To which Yang seconded, “There are quite lots of high quality entries which we did not expect. Some of the entries came from top developers, top tier designers in the Philippines. We also found some international entries. Kohler Bold Design Awards is definitely the only high level, biggest scale design award in the Philippines currently.”
KBDA was open to hotel operators, hospital and residential development property professionals, architects, and designers from the local market.
Its categories include the Boldest Spaces with sectors representing projects for living, travel, leisure, culture; and the Visionaries, innovation, a category for the prodigies and icons of the industry.
Judges focused on following areas: The boldness of the designer/developer’s choices, overall creativity and imagination employed to realize the project, the usability & practicality of the design for the intended purpose, and overall aesthetics of the space/building and its ability to impact and change the norms of design in the Philippines.
THE FINALISTS
LIVING – CONDO LIVING
RAFFLES PENTHOUSE
ATELIER ALMARIO CORP.
Having introduced the Art Deco theme as a peg, the designers followed through with the selection of sumptuous fabrics on sexy silhouetted furniture, wallpaper that had boldness to it, complimented the assemblage, on the living room and dining room. Whereas for the bedroom areas, more soothing wallpapers, fabrics and furniture were selected to compliment the restful look of the rooms.
ARYA
ALERO DESIGN STUDIO
Inspired by industrial apartments in New York, this project is a trendy and functional unit for a single Millennial who is artistic and a free soul. The unit's design is a cross between mid-century design and Industrial look.
PENTHOUSE EDADES CONDOMINIUM UNIT
ATELIER ALMARIO CORP.
Originally a four Bedroom unit, this penthouse is reduced two Bedrooms for an expansive entertainment area. These decisions and its implementation gave the designer a free flowing space that they can artfully divide.
ATELIER ALMARIO CORP.
Having introduced the Art Deco theme as a peg, the designers followed through with the selection of sumptuous fabrics on sexy silhouetted furniture, wallpaper that had boldness to it, complimented the assemblage, on the living room and dining room. Whereas for the bedroom areas, more soothing wallpapers, fabrics and furniture were selected to compliment the restful look of the rooms.
ARYA
ALERO DESIGN STUDIO
Inspired by industrial apartments in New York, this project is a trendy and functional unit for a single Millennial who is artistic and a free soul. The unit's design is a cross between mid-century design and Industrial look.
PENTHOUSE EDADES CONDOMINIUM UNIT
ATELIER ALMARIO CORP.
Originally a four Bedroom unit, this penthouse is reduced two Bedrooms for an expansive entertainment area. These decisions and its implementation gave the designer a free flowing space that they can artfully divide.
LIVING – VILLA LIVING
PARAÍSO HOUSE
MANAM ARCHITECTURE
Located in San Pablo, Laguna, near the Sampaloc Lake and surrounded by tropical lush vegetation, we find the Paraíso House. The client, an artist and neurologist, envisioned a house that could showcase his art pieces, while still retaining the purity and honesty of its surroundings. This was interpreted through the simplicity of the structure, the open spaces, and the abundant vegetation, which is the most noteworthy feature of the project.
THE CANTILEVER HOUSE
KREATIV* DEVGROUP
Situated in a subdivision somewhere in Quezon City sits a residence that we fondly named The Cantilever House. Located on a cliff with a steeply sloping rear, multiple cantilever structures were infused into the design. The six meter long cantilever beam located at the grand hall/ living space, and all the clean lines exudes a hint of brutalism, thus giving the effect of a heavy top hovering over the garden.
BLANCO HOUSE
MANAM ARCHITECTURE
Located in Venare Nuvali, Laguna, in a peaceful subdivision in the south of Metro Manila, situates the Blanco House. The structure is conceptualized in a way that the front elevation becomes a sculptural piece where the mass and voids play to configure the volume
MANAM ARCHITECTURE
Located in San Pablo, Laguna, near the Sampaloc Lake and surrounded by tropical lush vegetation, we find the Paraíso House. The client, an artist and neurologist, envisioned a house that could showcase his art pieces, while still retaining the purity and honesty of its surroundings. This was interpreted through the simplicity of the structure, the open spaces, and the abundant vegetation, which is the most noteworthy feature of the project.
THE CANTILEVER HOUSE
KREATIV* DEVGROUP
Situated in a subdivision somewhere in Quezon City sits a residence that we fondly named The Cantilever House. Located on a cliff with a steeply sloping rear, multiple cantilever structures were infused into the design. The six meter long cantilever beam located at the grand hall/ living space, and all the clean lines exudes a hint of brutalism, thus giving the effect of a heavy top hovering over the garden.
BLANCO HOUSE
MANAM ARCHITECTURE
Located in Venare Nuvali, Laguna, in a peaceful subdivision in the south of Metro Manila, situates the Blanco House. The structure is conceptualized in a way that the front elevation becomes a sculptural piece where the mass and voids play to configure the volume
LIVING – APARTMENT LIVING
PROJECT RAFT
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
Project Raft is a proposal for a climate-adaptive, low-cost townhouse development, whose design solutions hope to help people in flood-prone areas co-exist with this regular predicament of flooding. Simple and low-tech planning principles inspired by vernacular architecture addresses the major concern of keeping the costs low for commercial viability, while ensuring desirable and comfortable interior spaces.
C RESIDENCE
J+A DESIGN
The overall concept was Modern, Contemporary and Practical. Modern by using new design styles and techniques, Contemporary by making a design that will be timeless, and Practical by making everything useful and functional.
79C
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
Built for a designer couple who have the same ideals as the designer, 79C is a testimony to the belief in constant innovation and challenging the norm in terms of design, as this is one way for society to progress. When old and accepted things get challenged with new ideas, society benefits with a better quality of life.
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
Project Raft is a proposal for a climate-adaptive, low-cost townhouse development, whose design solutions hope to help people in flood-prone areas co-exist with this regular predicament of flooding. Simple and low-tech planning principles inspired by vernacular architecture addresses the major concern of keeping the costs low for commercial viability, while ensuring desirable and comfortable interior spaces.
C RESIDENCE
J+A DESIGN
The overall concept was Modern, Contemporary and Practical. Modern by using new design styles and techniques, Contemporary by making a design that will be timeless, and Practical by making everything useful and functional.
79C
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
Built for a designer couple who have the same ideals as the designer, 79C is a testimony to the belief in constant innovation and challenging the norm in terms of design, as this is one way for society to progress. When old and accepted things get challenged with new ideas, society benefits with a better quality of life.
TRAVEL- RESORTS
THE ASTORIA PALAWAN AND CURRENT RESORT
ATELIER ALMARIO CORP.
The Astoria Palawan and Current Resort in Boracay are colorful and vibrant by intention. It was the owner’s direction, to “own” the color narrative, for these two properties, as the indentifying DNA. Arresting color combinations, clever use of graphics were therefore artfully deployed to create spaces in the hotel that were whimsical and relaxed. Furniture weaving were also color coordinated and tweaked to be part of the whole color ensemble.
MISIBIS BAY OCEAN VIEW
GRIT DESIGN STUDIO
MISIBIS BAY OCEAN VIEW, is a 4 cluster mid rise hotel within the Misibis Bay Resort in Cagraray Island, Legazpi, Albay.
BIKINI HOTEL
GRIT DESIGN STUDIO
BIKINI HOTEL, a small 88 key boutique Hotel nestled in Station 2, Boracay Island. The design brief was to create a Hotel meant to cater the modern executive millennial traveler with a fun lively living design that is budget friendly.
ATELIER ALMARIO CORP.
The Astoria Palawan and Current Resort in Boracay are colorful and vibrant by intention. It was the owner’s direction, to “own” the color narrative, for these two properties, as the indentifying DNA. Arresting color combinations, clever use of graphics were therefore artfully deployed to create spaces in the hotel that were whimsical and relaxed. Furniture weaving were also color coordinated and tweaked to be part of the whole color ensemble.
MISIBIS BAY OCEAN VIEW
GRIT DESIGN STUDIO
MISIBIS BAY OCEAN VIEW, is a 4 cluster mid rise hotel within the Misibis Bay Resort in Cagraray Island, Legazpi, Albay.
BIKINI HOTEL
GRIT DESIGN STUDIO
BIKINI HOTEL, a small 88 key boutique Hotel nestled in Station 2, Boracay Island. The design brief was to create a Hotel meant to cater the modern executive millennial traveler with a fun lively living design that is budget friendly.
TRAVEL - HOTELS (URBAN)
SEDA BGC HOTEL EXPANSION
AND ASSOCIATES
The expansion of Seda BGC harmoniously develops from the lines of the old hotel proposing an upgraded design to elegantly introduce few accent colors that pop on the neutral architectural background; the interiors balance with, and are the container for contemporary Filipinos' works of art.
THE G1
90 DESIGN STUDIO
Located at a prominent location at the top of Session Road, at the heart of Baguio City’s central business district, on a small 200 m² lot, the building is shaped to maximize daylight and natural ventilation, slowly tapering into light wells on the northern side. The project is currently under construction and set to open sometime in the first quarter of 2018.
ACACIA HOTEL DAVAO
GRIT DESIGN STUDIO
ACACIA HOTEL DAVAO, a 260 key Urban Hotel set in Davao Philippines. It has one grand ballroom, 6 function rooms, convention center, all day dining, chinese restaurant, gym & spa, premiere lounge, indoor and outdoor bar, swimming pool, 2 lobby lounges.
AND ASSOCIATES
The expansion of Seda BGC harmoniously develops from the lines of the old hotel proposing an upgraded design to elegantly introduce few accent colors that pop on the neutral architectural background; the interiors balance with, and are the container for contemporary Filipinos' works of art.
THE G1
90 DESIGN STUDIO
Located at a prominent location at the top of Session Road, at the heart of Baguio City’s central business district, on a small 200 m² lot, the building is shaped to maximize daylight and natural ventilation, slowly tapering into light wells on the northern side. The project is currently under construction and set to open sometime in the first quarter of 2018.
ACACIA HOTEL DAVAO
GRIT DESIGN STUDIO
ACACIA HOTEL DAVAO, a 260 key Urban Hotel set in Davao Philippines. It has one grand ballroom, 6 function rooms, convention center, all day dining, chinese restaurant, gym & spa, premiere lounge, indoor and outdoor bar, swimming pool, 2 lobby lounges.
LEISURE
JAMIE'S STEAK ROOM
EDWIN D. UY ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS & DESIGN OFFICE
The project is an interesting play against the typical look of the steak houses here in the Philippines with the heavy use of wood finishes, that log cabin feel and even lighting fixtures that is formed out of antlers. The designer also made some references from the expected interiors and gave new definitions and applications to these materials.
APHRO LIVING
JAGNUS DESIGN STUDIO
Aphro living is a store devoted to Philippine art and design named after Aphrodite, The goddess of love and beauty. The eight meter High, 120 square meter space, formerly part of a warehouse, was designed to mimic the steps of a Greek temple.
SHOE SALON - AYALA CLOVERLEAF MALL
MORFOSIS DESIGN
The concept draws on the previous store's design which is inspired by adventure video games. The main accent is the central display made of translucent colored glass panels, representing a "portal" to a different world. It is a modern and progressive store design that levels up the quality of local retail interior design.
EDWIN D. UY ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS & DESIGN OFFICE
The project is an interesting play against the typical look of the steak houses here in the Philippines with the heavy use of wood finishes, that log cabin feel and even lighting fixtures that is formed out of antlers. The designer also made some references from the expected interiors and gave new definitions and applications to these materials.
APHRO LIVING
JAGNUS DESIGN STUDIO
Aphro living is a store devoted to Philippine art and design named after Aphrodite, The goddess of love and beauty. The eight meter High, 120 square meter space, formerly part of a warehouse, was designed to mimic the steps of a Greek temple.
SHOE SALON - AYALA CLOVERLEAF MALL
MORFOSIS DESIGN
The concept draws on the previous store's design which is inspired by adventure video games. The main accent is the central display made of translucent colored glass panels, representing a "portal" to a different world. It is a modern and progressive store design that levels up the quality of local retail interior design.
CULTURE - SOCIAL SPACES
THE TERRACES AT DAO
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
The brief was to design a facility that could be leased out to different locators and to ultimately revitalize and activate the neighborhood it was in. The concept was to play around with a
natur{artificial} dualism, where in the designers manipulated both natural AND artificial light in creative ways through the way the buildings were designed.
THE KAPIT BISIG PARA SA ILOG PASIG (KBPIP)
SONIA SANTIAGO OLIVARES ASSOCIATES
The Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP), is a project of Gina Lopez of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. (AFI) with the Department of Environment and Resources (DENR) through Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), which aims to clean and rehabilitate the River.
THE LATITUDE CORPORATE CENTER
CEBU LANDMASTERS INC.
The Latitude Corporate Center stands high at the tallest office building (24 storeys) in a prestigious location – Cebu Business Park. It is Modern, Sleek, Eco-Friendly and responsibly developed. Latitude Corporate Center will be the 1st BERDE Certified Building in Cebu Business Park.
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
The brief was to design a facility that could be leased out to different locators and to ultimately revitalize and activate the neighborhood it was in. The concept was to play around with a
natur{artificial} dualism, where in the designers manipulated both natural AND artificial light in creative ways through the way the buildings were designed.
THE KAPIT BISIG PARA SA ILOG PASIG (KBPIP)
SONIA SANTIAGO OLIVARES ASSOCIATES
The Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP), is a project of Gina Lopez of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. (AFI) with the Department of Environment and Resources (DENR) through Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), which aims to clean and rehabilitate the River.
THE LATITUDE CORPORATE CENTER
CEBU LANDMASTERS INC.
The Latitude Corporate Center stands high at the tallest office building (24 storeys) in a prestigious location – Cebu Business Park. It is Modern, Sleek, Eco-Friendly and responsibly developed. Latitude Corporate Center will be the 1st BERDE Certified Building in Cebu Business Park.
CULTURE - CULTURAL SPACES
APT STUDIO
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
APT STUDIO sets a tone of innovation, originality, experimentation, and progressive thinking for Philippine architecture, one that hopes to give confidence to the design community to also do the same and to start a conversation with them that perhaps it is high time to allow Philippine Architecture to evolve to a higher realm.
YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW
KISH DESIGN HUB INC
The inspiration was the past, the present, and the future, interwoven through the use of traditional elements from Filipino culture.
MUSEO KORDILYERA
90 DESIGN STUDIO
Located within the University of the Philippines Campus in Baguio City, Museo Kordilyera is one of the rehabilitation projects and government buildings included in the proposed UPB Campus Master Plan which reinforces the role of the University as a premier arts and science institution in Northern Luzon. The brief for the project was to rehabilitate and extend the existing 100 square meter Galerya Kordilyera converting it to an ethnographic museum.
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
APT STUDIO sets a tone of innovation, originality, experimentation, and progressive thinking for Philippine architecture, one that hopes to give confidence to the design community to also do the same and to start a conversation with them that perhaps it is high time to allow Philippine Architecture to evolve to a higher realm.
YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW
KISH DESIGN HUB INC
The inspiration was the past, the present, and the future, interwoven through the use of traditional elements from Filipino culture.
MUSEO KORDILYERA
90 DESIGN STUDIO
Located within the University of the Philippines Campus in Baguio City, Museo Kordilyera is one of the rehabilitation projects and government buildings included in the proposed UPB Campus Master Plan which reinforces the role of the University as a premier arts and science institution in Northern Luzon. The brief for the project was to rehabilitate and extend the existing 100 square meter Galerya Kordilyera converting it to an ethnographic museum.
INFLUENCERS - INNOVATION
PROJECT RAFT
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
Project Raft is a proposal for a climate-adaptive, low-cost townhouse development, whose design solutions hope to help people in flood-prone areas co-exist with this regular predicament of flooding. Simple and low-tech planning
MACTAN -CEBU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MCIA)
INTEGRATED DESIGN ASSOCIATES LTD.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is the gate to the central and southern Philippine islands; it is also the country’s second-largest airport. The distinguishing element of the new building is the arched roof of glue laminated timber supports. These arches, which measure 30 meters across and 18 meters high, form a roofscape that calls to mind the surrounding ocean and characterizes the interior of the terminal.
APT STUDIO
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
John Patrick Anthony Buensalido
APT STUDIO sets a tone of innovation, originality, experimentation, and progressive thinking for Philippine architecture, one that hopes to give confidence to the design community to also do the same and to start a conversation with them that perhaps it is high time to allow Philippine Architecture to evolve to a higher realm.
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
Project Raft is a proposal for a climate-adaptive, low-cost townhouse development, whose design solutions hope to help people in flood-prone areas co-exist with this regular predicament of flooding. Simple and low-tech planning
MACTAN -CEBU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MCIA)
INTEGRATED DESIGN ASSOCIATES LTD.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is the gate to the central and southern Philippine islands; it is also the country’s second-largest airport. The distinguishing element of the new building is the arched roof of glue laminated timber supports. These arches, which measure 30 meters across and 18 meters high, form a roofscape that calls to mind the surrounding ocean and characterizes the interior of the terminal.
APT STUDIO
BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS
John Patrick Anthony Buensalido
APT STUDIO sets a tone of innovation, originality, experimentation, and progressive thinking for Philippine architecture, one that hopes to give confidence to the design community to also do the same and to start a conversation with them that perhaps it is high time to allow Philippine Architecture to evolve to a higher realm.
PRODIGIES - RISING TALENT
DOS MANALO
MANAM ARCHITECTURE
Architect Dos Manalo, is part of an international team of architects and artists based on the Philippines, MANAM, developing a wide range of projects internationally. He has been working and learning from some of the best architects and interior designers in the Philippines. His unique style, combines the taste for the most exclusive luxury design in the Philippines, with the most modern tendencies in the international panorama thanks to his multiple collaborations with foreign studios. His motivation and focus is on upgrading the design panorama in the Philippines.
EDWIN UY
EDWIN D. UY ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS & DESIGN OFFICE
Edwin Uy graduated cum laude in 1999 from the University of Santo Tomas. A firm believer in education, Uy continues to update his knowledge despite the demands of his practice, by attending courses in the Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, United Kingdom, and in Boisbuchet in Lessac, France. His studies abroad have brought him in close contact with world-renowned designers such as James Irvine, Ugo Passin, Stefano Giovannoni, Alberto Meda, and Maarten Baas.
MARIA ISABELLA ROBLES GO
LIVING INNOVATIONS DESIGN UNLIMITED, INC.
Isabella Robles Go at a young age of 32 embodies a holistic interior designer. She exemplifies professionalism, integrity and excellence in her design projects and the service that she provides to her clients. Aside from her firm, she balances her time for her family and community service. She is also a mentor to young aspiring interior designers and a patron of Filipino artists and designers. She is fully committed to being "GLOCAL" - a global designer with a local flair.
MANAM ARCHITECTURE
Architect Dos Manalo, is part of an international team of architects and artists based on the Philippines, MANAM, developing a wide range of projects internationally. He has been working and learning from some of the best architects and interior designers in the Philippines. His unique style, combines the taste for the most exclusive luxury design in the Philippines, with the most modern tendencies in the international panorama thanks to his multiple collaborations with foreign studios. His motivation and focus is on upgrading the design panorama in the Philippines.
EDWIN UY
EDWIN D. UY ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS & DESIGN OFFICE
Edwin Uy graduated cum laude in 1999 from the University of Santo Tomas. A firm believer in education, Uy continues to update his knowledge despite the demands of his practice, by attending courses in the Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, United Kingdom, and in Boisbuchet in Lessac, France. His studies abroad have brought him in close contact with world-renowned designers such as James Irvine, Ugo Passin, Stefano Giovannoni, Alberto Meda, and Maarten Baas.
MARIA ISABELLA ROBLES GO
LIVING INNOVATIONS DESIGN UNLIMITED, INC.
Isabella Robles Go at a young age of 32 embodies a holistic interior designer. She exemplifies professionalism, integrity and excellence in her design projects and the service that she provides to her clients. Aside from her firm, she balances her time for her family and community service. She is also a mentor to young aspiring interior designers and a patron of Filipino artists and designers. She is fully committed to being "GLOCAL" - a global designer with a local flair.
MASTER PATRON
VIVIAN SY NG
NOMINATED BY: ATELIER ALMARIO CORP. / Ivy & Cynthia Almario
EDUARDO TUVIERA
NOMINATED BY: BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS / Arch. John Patrick Anthony Buensalido
NOMINATED BY: ATELIER ALMARIO CORP. / Ivy & Cynthia Almario
EDUARDO TUVIERA
NOMINATED BY: BUENSALIDO ARCHITECTS / Arch. John Patrick Anthony Buensalido
