Property developer PHINMA Properties urged architecture students to create innovative and sustainable living design solutions.
The residential houses and community builder invited the young visionaries to produce constructible concepts and visuals for the evolving lifestyle of Filipino families.
The participants from the Architecture Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Environment and Design (SED) were tasked to submit a schematic proposal for three housing typologies for middle-class population: 50-square-meter (sqm) lot townhouses, 80 sqm and 125 sqm single attached homes.
They were briefed on the corporate mission, project portfolio, target market, and general design guidelines, as well as the typical subdivision outline to understand the requirements and assist them to come up with drafts that address the needs of the market.
Under the mentorship of educator Architect Carlos Joselito Gutierrez, some 80 pupils were divided into 21 teams. The groups were split into seven units for three field categories who competed for three slots in each area designation.
The class is currently studying the ARHOUSE or HOUSING, a three-unit lecture-based course that aims to widen the perspective of the different settings and conditions of the Philippine shelter programs.
With the understanding that they are dealing with Filipino-designed residences of which feasibility is an increasing consideration, Gutierrez shared that this serves as a good training exposure for the artistic Benildeans. “Service learning is seen as an essential part of growth for architecture students,” he stated. “They will experience how it is to work with real-life situations.”
“Currently, the challenge is the realization of working on limited space,” he furthered. “But this is the essence of service learning. It is not easy for them but they are learning that this is the reality we need to work with as designers.”
Nine groups will be shortlisted by the esteemed panel of experts and professionals from PHINMA Properties based on their compliance with the class conditions, innovation, buildability, ecological and sustainability impact and functionality aesthetics after their first round of submission.
“PHINMA Properties’ mission revolves around reshaping the urban landscape, fostering community building, and embracing the bayanihan spirit in all our designs,” President and CEO of PHINMA Properties Raphael B. Felix underscored. “We challenged participants in the competition to keep this vision in mind, aiming to create designs that renew the urban landscape, promote sustainability, and forge stronger bonds among communities.”
“We aspire to embark on more projects and collaborations, not only in house architecture but also in urban planning and energy efficiency,” he furthered. “We believe there are countless aspects to explore and tap into the youth’s ideas and support them into reality.”
SED Dean Architect Dottie Asela Domingo likewise emphasized the valuable opportunity for both parties that underpin this collaboration. “With the meeting of minds, we learn from each other, and we dare to come up with new ideas and new design concepts.”
“The industry players have the tested knowledge from professional practice,” she recounted. “The students, on the other hand, have unbridled creativity, as we allow their youthful energy, imagination, and passionate ideals to be explored to create new human-centered design solutions to existing environmental problems.”
The finalists will be meticulously screened anew by PHINMA Properties officials at PHINMA Plaza in Rockwell Center, Makati City for another demonstration in August.
The panel will deliberate on three winning squads per lot classification to receive cash prizes.
For more information on Benilde Architecture Program, visit https://www.benilde.edu.ph/undergraduate-architecture/ or https://www.facebook.com/benildearchitecture.
Learn more about PHINMA Properties at http://phinmaproperties.com/.
