Words The Kanto team
Images Patricia Malijan and
American Standard Design Award
May nagbabalik! The coveted American Standard Design Award (ASDA) trophy returns to the Philippines! After UST’s Rino Bonalos nabbed the Grand Prize in 2024 for a ‘personal oasis’ bathroom, Patricia Malijan of the De La Salle – College of St. Benilde kept the prize firmly on Philippine soil. Malijan won with an innovative, modular design that enabled ease of use, versatility, and user dignity across the multigenerational Asian household. ASDA is an annual competition by legacy bathroom brand American Standard that challenges young designers to envision how bathrooms of the future can address society’s evolving needs.
Malijan’s The Humble Home first rose above the competition in the national round over Michael Jeve Diaz’s (NEUST) The Gate, and Himaya by Lisa Marie Osmeña of the University of San Carlos.
Malijan describes The Humble Home’s premise: “The humility of the Humble Home is best seen in how the space does not impose itself onto the user; it allows you to choose how you want it to be. The use of space adaptability is reflected through bifold pocket doors, which allow for the seamless transition between dividing and unifying the floor plan. By applying a uniform materiality across every surface, we created a single environment and eliminated the restrictive feel of physical walls and partitions.
Architecturally, these zones provide privacy by stripping away the heavy, tangible sensation of being enclosed or concealed. Instead of fragmentation, strategic zoning relies on spatial layering to provide psychological security while maintaining visual flow. The space feels expansive because privacy is redefined as a form of agency; it is the quiet confidence of knowing the environment can adapt to your unique preferences without ever feeling like a box.”
You can read our full conversation with Malijan on her winning entry’s parti and process here.
Winning the regional rounds involves heightened jury scrutiny and competition against equally strong entries from Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The composition of the American Standard Design Award regional jury is as follows:
- Antoine Besseyre des Horts, Leader, Global Design, Asia, LIXIL
- Audrey Yeo, Leader, LWT APAC, LIXIL
- Jihae Kim, Leader, Category Management, LWT APAC, LIXIL
- Cathy Saldana, Principal, Managing Director, PDP Architects (Philippines)
- Le Truong, President & CEO, TT Associates (Vietnam)
- Nitis Sthapitanonda, Deputy Managing Director, Architects 49 Limited (Thailand)
- Vichera Heang, Architect and International Relations Director, Architects Association Khmer (Cambodia)
- Warren Foster Brown, Founder & Managing Director, FBEYE International (Singapore)
- William K. Patty, Principal Interior, Hadiprana Design (Indonesia)
When asked about her win, Malijan shared the following statement with Kanto.
“Winning this award means so much to me, and I’m incredibly happy to bring this home to the Philippines—this is truly for the Filipinos. I am honored to show the world exactly what we are capable of in the design industry. Since this was my first time representing the country in this field, I truly hope I made my fellow Filipinos, mentors, and designers proud.
The final presentation was a significant experience; while defending my work before the international judges was a challenge, I picked up many valuable pointers and gained invaluable insight. Moving forward into professional practice, I will use this win as a constant reminder that Filipinos are capable of great design. More importantly, it stays with me as a reminder that bathroom design is just as vital as any other space, or, honestly, even more important than the rest.”
As grand prize winner, Malijan will receive, in addition to her cash prize as national winner, USD 3,000 and an invitation to the ASDA 2026 exhibit and award ceremony, alongside a design masterclass led by industry experts. The awarding ceremony will be held in Manila on a date to be announced.
Another American Standard Design Award cycle has come to a close, but despite the diversity of entrants and ideas, one aspect of good bathroom design prevails that Malijan so deftly addressed: good design always has human empathy at heart •
Visit the American Standard Design Award website for more information on the winners.
