Words The Kanto team for WAF 2023
Images Norman Gorecho for Grohe Philippines
“Ask yourselves: What is the unique aspect of your project? What are you trying to teach the world?”—Andy Locsin
“This project is beautiful. It has all the ingredients of a possible win.”—Manny Miñana
“I think there is a value in narrating the poetry of a project. How is it seductive? How does it tease the senses?”—Tina Periquet
These were some of the remarks by esteemed Filipino architects during the WAF 2023 Practice Crits held today, October 27, at GROHE’s Showroom, Wilcon IT Hub, Makati City. 8 out of 12 shortlisted firms namely PDP Architects, KJHP Design Group, Buensalido Architects, Visionarch, DST Design+Build, Dominic Galicia Architects, Laurence Angeles of MLA At Home, and Alero Design Studio attended the practice sessions. The event was hosted by GROHE in partnership with Wilcon Depot and Kanto.
Among this year’s jurors for the practice crits are first Filipino WAF finalist Manny Miñana, Tina Periquet of Periquet Galicia, and Joel Luna of Joel Luna Planning and Design. Dominic Galicia of Dominic Galicia Architects, who is among the shortlisted participants, also formed part of the jury.
This year’s hosts are Joseph Javier of JDSM and Emily Rose Besavilla, Managing Director of GROHE Philippines. Welcoming remarks were given by GROHE Philippines’ Leader Hermie Limbo, followed by an opening prayer led by Miñana. The presentations rolled right after, with each shortlisted firm sharing the narratives of their projects and taking a few lessons from the jurors’ insights and suggestions.
After all the presentations, Antoine Besseyre Des Horts, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Asia, shed a few points on health and wellbeing, water sustainability, and new technologies in his Macro Trends in Design talk. WAF Festival Director Paul Finch also graced the event, narrating the festival’s beginnings and sharing a few tips on how to get architects and designers can get their projects recognized.
A question and answer with Finch and Besseyre Des Horts followed. The closing remarks was given by GROHE Philippines’ Leader, Arian Zaragoza. A toast was led by Kanto Editor-in-Chief Patrick Kasingsing to thank everyone for their participation and support. Special thanks were given to GROHE, WAF and Kanto’s founding sponsor, Wilcon Depot, and the Kanto team. The toast also highlighted how the WAF was initiated by Kanto Editor-at-Large Judith Torres together with Manny Miñana, preparing Filipino entrants and bringing the architecture and design community together since 2015.
Singapore, here we come! •
