Words Gabrielle de la Cruz
Images The Kanto team at WAF 2023
The Philippines goes big before going home! After a streak of Highly Commended placements, the journey ends with a win from the University of Northern Philippines at the WAF 2023 Global Student Charette! This is the Philippines’ second win at the student program, ten years after its first shortlist and win in 2013 represented by the University of San Carlos Cebu.
BALAY ARAPAAP by The University of Northern Philippines
The winning proposal of the Philippine team at the WAF 2023 Student Charette is BALAY ARAPAAP (House of Dreams), an “inclusive informal learning center for the remote island of Puro Caoayan.” The project’s initial intent was to address the lack of education and educational spaces in the area, but the jurors were impressed with how the team was able to package it into a complex, replicable design. Inspired by the estuary on the island where the tide meets the stream, the proposal consists of three main structures on stilts. The students shared that the designs are patterned from the Philippine bahay kubo (nipa hut) for the sake of familiarity, making it easier for Filipinos in remote areas to understand, build, and customize these depending on their needs. Bamboo was also chosen as the primary material in reference to the island’s name Caoayan (kawayan) and its wide availability in the country.
The jury commended the project’s ability to “uplift the spirit” of its community. They also lauded how the students lived up to the challenge of adding a water feature, saying that they “went above and beyond” what was expected. With a beautifully designed proposal and a well-resolved plan, the jurors then tested the team on the intricacies and replicability of their entry. The students were able to respond to each question despite the pressure of being on stage for the first time and ended by underlining that BALAY ARAPAAP hopes to build dreams one step at a time.
Special Prizes – Best Use of Natural Light
The Philippines made its shortlist debut for the Best Use of Natural Light special prize with Dominic Galicia Architects (DGA)’s Kilyawan Farm Resort. Galicia presented the project for a second time, a day after the project received a Highly Commended citation in the Hotel and Leisure category. Questions were centered on how the space feels during day and night time, along with the chicken coops’ conversion into cabins. The architect was also able to share the story of the project’s initial plan to use rammed earth as a material again, one thing that his first set of jurors allowed him to do. Galicia revealed that the resort relies on natural light until 6:00 PM, with the jurors saying that it indeed has “beautiful harmony” and a striking “display of patterns and shadows.” The project however did not cop the prize but still won the admiration of its rapt jurors.
Congratulations once again to all the winners and our 12 Filipino finalists! Here’s a list of this year’s Pinoy World Architecture Festival wins. •
WAF 2023 Filipino Winners
Winner, WAF Student Charette program
University of Northern Philippines’ BALAY ARAPAAP
Winner, Architecture Drawing Prize, Hybrid category
(Re)membering the See Monster, Eldry John Infante
Highly Commended, Completed Projects, Hotel and Leisure
Kilyawan Farm Resort by Dominic Galicia Architects
Highly Commended, Completed Projects, Sport
FEM Stadium by WTA Architecture and Design Studio
Highly Commended, Future Projects, Civic and Community
Pangasinan Barangay Centers by Buensalido+Architects
WAFX Winner, Ethics and Values category
Pangasinan Barangay Centers by Buensalido+Architects
All WAF 2023 winners have been revealed! The full list is available here.
