Words Danielle Austria
Images LIXIL Philippines (ASDA 2023)
The American Standard Design Award (ASDA) 2023—hosted by LIXIL WATER TECHNOLOGY Group, makers of transformative water and housing products—has announced its winners for the Philippine leg of the regional competition. The top three designs were selected with detailed deliberation and in good spirits by the jury comprised of Arch. Cathy Saldaña (CEO of PDP Architects), Arch. Arvin Pangilinan (Associate Director at WTA Architecture) as a representative of Arch. William Ti (Principal Architect), and IDr. Cynthia Almario (Creative Director and Co-founder of Atelier Almario).
Aevan Georgeline de Jesus, a 5th-year interior design student from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), takes first place for her residential bathroom design concept titled “The GRID.” Having grown up in a two-bathroom home with multiple family members, de Jesus knows firsthand the challenges and joys of sharing an intimate space. She draws inspiration from the warmth of these close family ties—present in most other Asian households— balancing flow and the need to organize with opportunities for interaction.
The key point of her work is a 360° layout at the center of the home, rather than a room pushed to a corner. It’s filled and surrounded by function: inside, an enclosed shower and a toilet separated by panels; behind, a basin with vanity and laundry; on the sides, hanging rods and a board to leave messages and reminders. Multiple family members can use it at once, a place to take care of individual business without restricting the rest of the family’s needs.
IDr. Almario commended the student for her work, adding that because we humans spend a good chunk of our day in one, “It’s high time that we also design a bathroom as a space to entertain or show off.” Following a few suggestions on materiality from Arch. Saldaña and Arch. Pangilinan, de Jesus’s “The GRID” is the Philippines’ best bet at the regional competition.
In second and third place are Apryl Precious Gem Estavillo, a 5th-year architecture student at the University of Northern Philippines with her entry “BeYOU.nd,” and Margaret Therese Hagad, a 5th-year interior design student at DLS-CSB, with her entry “Weathering Walls.”
With her design, Estavillo aimed to break the boundaries of time and space. She views the bathroom as where one can be their most free and escape from the worries of their day. Ambiance is as essential to her work as safety and convenience. Large windows by the tub and the toilet create the illusion of space, let light in, and spark the imagination. She makes it a safe time to ponder and wonder with handrails and meticulous choice of American Standard products.
Embracing change and reconciling differences—these are the main themes that run through Hagad’s dual-purpose layout. Boundaries exist to protect one’s privacy (shower, toilet), but they are flexible (with movable doors) and are connected by a shared domain (sink). She prioritized materials that will age gracefully, even with the wear and tear of daily use, and fixtures that they will last for years to come. “Weathering Walls” is a bathroom that will grow with the family and the home.
de Jesus, Estavillo, and Hagad rose to the challenge of designing a multi-generational bathroom in alignment with the theme, “A Home to Love, a Space for Everyone.” The judges deliberated their work on April 21 based on purpose, style, originality, and feasibility. The first prize winner takes home USD 2,000*, the 2nd prize USD 1,500*, and the 3rd prize USD 1,000*.
*The prizes will be converted into local currency upon awarding.
Up next: APAC round
All national ASDA 2023 winners from the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and India will be representing their countries at the regional level.
Judging will take place on May 17 and winners will be revealed on May 24.
For more information on the APAC leg, visit the ASDA website or click the banner below. •
2 Responses