Interview The Kanto Team
Images UAP Sugbu Architects Chapter (Thumbnail Awards)
Hello Kirsten! Welcome to Kanto! We’ve heard a bit about the UAP Sugbu chapter’s Thumbnail Awards, but could you do our readers a favor by explaining the intriguing concept behind this competition you’ve helped initiate?
Kirsten Jen Galeos, chapter president for 2023-2024, UAP Sugbu: Hello there, and thanks to Kanto for the platform on which to share more about this initiative! The Thumbnail Awards is dedicated to zooming in on the finer details and corners of architectural projects, celebrating UAP Sugbu Architects who demonstrate outstanding creativity, innovation, and attention to detail in designing small yet impactful elements within projects. These small elements, often designed with great care and precision, deserve their spotlight. This competition highlights the meticulous craftsmanship and conscious design decisions made by Sugbu members, proving that great work can be done on any scale. By focusing on these micro aspects, the awards aim to draw attention to the significant details contributing to the overall excellence of architectural projects.
Who is the competition open to, and what are the mechanics?
The competition is open to all (UAP) Sugbu Architects, offering opportunities to celebrate our members’ expertise at all levels and types. As a chapter, Sugbu strives to encourage and recognize its members’ work, instilling pride in their achievements regardless of the project’s scale. The Thumbnail Awards intend to showcase that UAP Sugbu members consistently deliver excellent work.
The mechanics and submission process are straightforward: There are 17 categories, and Sugbu chapter members were invited to submit photographs of their works that fit them. Members were encouraged to submit multiple entries if they adhered to the specified categories.
The winning works were then featured on the official Sugbu social media pages and exhibited at Qube Gallery in Cebu City last May 10 and 11, 2024. During this intimate gathering, Ar. Steffi Go-Negapatan and Ar. Miljo Negapatan of SGMN Architects, Ar. Keshia Lim of San Studio and Ar. Joel Ong of Urbanshift Studio shared insights into their winning projects.
What are the 17 categories for this iteration of the competition? And how are the entries judged?
We asked our members to submit photos of their works, label them, and drop them off in the folders of the categories that best fit their works. There were no write-ups or any other requirements because we believe that the images themselves should already speak for the category they have been submitted into.
These are the categories we opened this competition to:
- Best Canopy
- Best Gate/ Fence
- Best Entrance Door
- Best Kiosk
- Best Wash Area
- Best Toilet and Bath
- Best Storage
- Best Cabinetry
- Best Island Counter
- Best Stairs
- Best Custom Furniture
- Best Home Office
- Best Corner
- Best Service Area
- Best Lighting
- Best Bar
- Best Material Palette
- Best Brand Direction
- Best Firm Name
The entries were then reviewed, and each category was narrowed down to 3 shortlisted entries, carefully chosen by the Core Organizers of Thumbnail Awards—Ar. Kirsten Jen Galeos, Ar. Angelo Dakay and Ar. Janelle Moran. To determine the winning entry, we opened a sheet where current officers and past presidents of Sugbu Chapter could cast a vote for each category from the shortlisted list.
What are the criteria the jurors must abide by? What qualities do all the winning entrants share?
The entries should clearly represent the category they are submitted in. The details should be aesthetically pleasing and convey their unique functionality visually. The shortlisted entries were highly competitive, making the final decision challenging. However, when the winners were declared, it was evident that their entries exemplified the quality and criteria we were looking for.
Just curious; were there personal experiences or frustrations with the architectural or construction industry that led to your team’s conception of the Thumbnail Awards?
This initiative began as a simple appreciation of unique corners within projects of our own colleagues and grew into a desire to provide a platform for architects from our chapter to showcase their detailed work. It was sparked by the observation that typical competitions often focus on the macro scale, overlooking the meticulously crafted details. These details are just as carefully designed as the larger concepts typically highlighted in competitions.
On a personal note, I’ve had projects where the overall execution wasn’t perfect, but certain corners were executed beautifully. While I couldn’t showcase the entire project, I could take pride in and share those few well-executed details.
So, the competition celebrates the beauty of detail and small spatial moments. Mies van der Rohe’s famous dictum comes to mind. Aside from lauding photogenic corners or details, are there other insights or observations in the practice of architecture and construction that you want to bring to the fore with such a competition?
We want to challenge architects to design thoughtfully, regardless of the scale. We also aim to inspire them to approach even the most overlooked corners with care and dedication. For example, service areas are often a house’s least thoughtfully designed parts. Through the Thumbnail Awards, we hoped to discover architects who had quietly put extra effort into these spaces. Although none were highlighted this year, we hope that in the future, someone will rise to the challenge and bring more heart to these areas. Additionally, we want to subtly celebrate the craftsmen whose skills and dedication bring these detailed designs to life. It is not only our architectural vision but their craftsmanship that creates exceptional work.
Staying within the topic of photogenic spaces, the rise of Instagram and other visual social media platforms has significantly impacted architecture. Many developers and architects now design their spaces with the intention of making them more “Instagrammable,” often at the expense of functionality. What do you think about this trend?
Instagram and other social media apps are powerful tools for showcasing good work. They are efficient platforms for highlighting quality designs when used for inspiration, information, and appreciation. However, architects should be mindful not to prioritize visual appeal and “Instagrammable” moments over functionality and sustainability. Good design should stem from appropriate solutions tailored to the project’s context rather than conforming to superficial trends, which can lead to homogeneity in architecture. While taking inspiration is valuable, the primary goal should always be to solve the problems outlined in the project brief rather than focusing solely on aesthetics. The essence of good design is compromised when it is driven by the pursuit of likes and public approval instead of addressing real architectural challenges.
Indeed. Returning back to the competition, how has it been received by participants?
We have received valuable feedback from both participants and spectators of the competition. Many participants have expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to showcase their attention to detail and craftsmanship and for the platform provided to highlight these aspects of their work.
When we launched the competition, many new architects were hesitant to share their work, thinking they needed extensive experience and qualifications to participate. However, with some encouragement, they submitted their entries, and some even ended up being shortlisted.
Many participants expressed surprise that the details of their work were given such significance. They initially thought the images they submitted would only be seen on Instagram or Facebook as just part of a project.
Some participants have also shared that the craftsmen and suppliers they collaborated with were proud to see their work and products showcased through these entries.
Was there a memorable soundbite or anecdote you can share from this competition? Will the Thumbnail Awards eventually be opened to architects from other chapters and parts of the country?
One memorable anecdote from this competition was when a young architect, initially hesitant to submit their work due to a perceived lack of experience, ended up being shortlisted after encouragement. This highlights the competition’s inclusive nature and its ability to empower emerging talents.
For now, the competition is rooted within Sugbu to preserve the essence of uniquely celebrating architects from our chapter. These types of competitions embody the spirit of our community and contribute to our identity as Sugbu architects. While we are open to eventually expanding the competition beyond Sugbu, we want to first establish and savor the essence of this inaugural event. Our goal is to cultivate a sense of pride among our members and showcase the talent within our chapter. •
