ASDA 2022 Philippine Winners Revealed

And the winners are…

The prestigious American Standard Design Award (ASDA) 2022, headed by maker of quality water and housing products LIXIL WATER TECHNOLOGY Group, has finally named its national winners. 

They are JR Caberte, from the University of Santo Tomas, who takes the top spot for the Residential Bathroom Space Design category; fellow UST architecture students Nicole Angela Teñoso comes in second, with Erika Mae Samaniego in third place. For the Hospitality Bathroom Space Design category, Oliver Jaison Juria, architecture student from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, takes first place, followed by Vanessa Mae Corpuz, of the University of Northern Philippines. Danielle Ann Balatan from the University of Santo Tomas follows in the third spot.

Residential Bathroom Space Design Winners

The Residential Bathroom Space Design category’s target users are young families with children aged four to eight. With the rise of urbanization leading to smaller living spaces, the designs must be fit for a residential bathroom in a condominium, five to six square meters in size.

What pushed you to join the American Standard Design Award (ASDA) 2022? 

JR Caberte, first prize winner: ASDA 2022 challenged me to look for new, innovative ways to effectively design a small space, such as bathrooms. Originally, my intent for joining was simply to look for avenues to improve my presentation and designing skills. Joining this competition, however, taught me the value of purposeful design. More than anything else, I learned that the effectiveness of one’s design is determined not solely by its looks or aesthetic but by its ability to answer the problem it set out to address. The goal of purposeful design in essence is to provide its users with a comfortable experience.

Nicole Angela Teñoso, second prize winner: I joined the ASDA Caravan without the intention of actually joining the competition. I just wanted to know if I have the capacity to create a substantial design solution to address a problem. It was only two days before the January 10 deadline that I decided to go for it. Little did I know that ASDA would be an experience that I would surely never forget! From being selected as a finalist to being able to present and share my ideas with a jury that I truly admire, my ASDA experience is truly one for the books.

Erika Mae Samaniego, third prize winner: “Timing favors those who try, whether the timing is right or wrong” is a quote I hold on to whenever I find myself interested in joining competitions. I’ve always been fond of joining student design competitions and for this instance, a friend invited me to join ASDA 2022. Upon reading the design brief, I was challenged yet excited to join for the substantial experience I can amass and the opportunity to design for a prestigious brand like American Standard. ASDA 2022 is an unforgettable experience as I was able to reflect on and push further my boundaries as a young designer.

What were the challenges you encountered? How were these overcome? 

Caberte: One of the challenges I encountered was finding ways to enable a tiny space, such as a bathroom, to contribute to the ‘breathability’ of the increasingly dense urban spaces we now live in. Another challenge was figuring out new ways to integrate green design for bathrooms.

I decided to tackle these problems by focusing on natural light and ventilation, which I think are two aspects of bathroom design that are often neglected. My innovations, spatial planning, and overall concept all connect back to the simple window—an attempt to make bathroom spaces more breathable, sustainable, and environmentally conscious. Along with that is an integration of bathroom fixtures that address the emerging consciousness on hygiene through anti-microbial and touchless bathroom fixtures.

Teñoso: The design process was seamless and delightful. However, the weeks before I worked on the design were tough because I had inhibitions about joining the competition. Before ASDA 2022, I had never joined any competition outside my university. I was having doubts if I was capable of actually creating a design that is done with passion and not with the pressure of compliance.

Two days before the deadline, I reflected upon it and I realized that I’ve unconsciously been thinking about the concept, design ideas, and minute details for weeks! Turns out, I had already got it all figured out in my mind and I only needed to follow through with the execution. That was when I realized that I’ve always wanted to go for it. I just really needed some time to trust my gut and toughen up before taking on the challenge.

Samaniego: As an architecture student, I am well aware that design is subjective and there is no linear answer to design challenges—every approach is different, and some may come up with a better solution. Since I’m surrounded by talented designers in college, there are times when I tend to underestimate my skills and doubt myself, and this served as an obstacle for me during the competition. Fortunately, I found myself surrounded by people who support and believe in me and my work. I’m glad to say I got to know myself better through ASDA 2022 and I realized that I am more capable than what I think I can achieve.

What is your concept for your entry and what inspired it?

Caberte: My concept, BioPHi+LIVE, a wordplay on biophilic design and living, was inspired by the growing neglect—specifically in multi-story residential buildings, like condominiums—in the design of bathrooms. With the rapid growth in urbanization and density in most cities, most developers tend to see bathrooms as merely utilitarian spaces that do not require as much attention and design, leading to stifling bathrooms devoid of natural light and proper ventilation.

I decided to tackle this design problem by bringing nature closer to one’s home by including amply-sized openings that bring the outdoors in and let hot air out. This also prevents the formation of sickness-causing bacteria and germs as air passage isn’t blocked and the space is kept dry.

Teñoso: With the idea of gaining back a sense of ease while living amidst a fast-paced world, my residential bathroom design is anchored on creating an environment that brings out hygge, that Nordic concept of coziness. The concept is anchored on giving the users a better quality of life through simple living. There is an uncomplicated layout of spaces and thoughtful integration of subtle details, such as smart storage units. These are basic design solutions that enable the space to provide users maximum ease and comfort without the need to sacrifice purpose and efficiency.

Samaniego: Inspired by the Filipino concept of maaliwalas, I wanted my bathroom design to be a place of comfort for the users without sacrificing style. The users and their user experience were naturally, a major design consideration.

With how busy and fast-paced the world is at present, rest is seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. Maaliwalas is synonymous with clean, serene, and peaceful, which is the goal of my bathroom’s design—to help users “clean” their minds, find serenity, and achieve peace, even for just a moment. 

Any notable feedback you received from the jury that struck you the most? What are your own thoughts about it?

Caberte: Upon preparing my presentation, I anticipated being questioned right off the bat regarding my design’s ROI (return of investment), particularly with the way I planned my bathroom with a large window. I expected to be asked about having an exterior wall instead because having a bathroom window there also means having fewer units fit in a condominium floor layout. What caught me off guard was being questioned on the practicality of my design and its effects on ROI. And it made me think about how I’d sell my design to a developer, and how, despite this being an entry in a design competition, I should think of my design in terms of real-world scenarios.

Another striking comment regarding my work was hearing from a professional that design should be derived from experience—because it is only through this immersion do we understand the need and achieve an empathic, purposeful, and human-centered design solution.

Teñoso: The presentation and being able to interact with the jury were both memorable moments. I was enthusiastic and excited the whole time. 

Before I left the Zoom room, the jury reminded me to keep the attitude I’ve shown them in my future presentations. And to me, it’s really validating to hear a comment like that, especially after talking about something I’m truly passionate about and sharing the design I worked hard on.

Samaniego: The most notable feedback I received from the jury was them saying that my design really captured my concept—maaliwalas. They shared that they were very pleased with how I designed my bathroom and how the little details gave the overall design a Filipino touch.

As mentioned earlier, I tend to doubt my skills. So when I heard that the jury was satisfied with my bathroom design, I was thrilled and grateful for their appreciation. I’m glad I was able to convey my message and theme effectively through my design.

What do you appreciate the most about the design and quality of American Standard’s family of products, especially the models you used in your design?

Caberte: American Standard’s range of products was pivotal in helping me achieve my goals for my bathroom design. Through the touchless, antimicrobial, water-efficient, and elegantly designed fixtures, I was able to incorporate sustainable and environmentally-conscious solutions in my design with an elegant aesthetic. 

Teñoso: Even before joining the competition, I have already been exposed to American Standard products in our household. What I love the most about its products is their unrivaled reliability and efficiency. 

In my bathroom design, the simplicity and adaptability of American Standard in both aesthetic and performance made the design process a lot quicker and easier. The versatility of the products also allowed me to truly enjoy exploring various layouts and themes before I was able to choose the final design that stands out the most.

Samaniego: I appreciate how timeless and sleek American Standard products are, as manifested through the soft curves in their designs. Its products can be used by people from all walks of life. I admire how American Standard utilizes the latest technology to improve user experience through convenience and functionality without sacrificing style. Moreover, their advocacy on sustainability is commendable as they are committed to practicing safe, sustainable, and ethical business practices.

As national winner, how would you prepare for the regional competition? What would you improve or change from your previous presentation?

Caberte: I would concentrate on mounting a defense of my design as being viable and practical in a real-life scenario. I’d focus on how I can present its feasibility and practicality to condominium developers, explaining how ROI and the trends, as influenced by the rising concern on hygiene and airborne diseases, for example, would continually evolve and benefit from bathrooms having larger windows. Along with this, I’d also update my design based on the panelists’ comments regarding ergonomics and space efficiency.

I also intend to integrate more locally-available products, such as having capiz shell accents for the walls, Greenite (by locally-found Green Eco product manufacturer, Green Antz) for the finishes of the surfaces, and other locally derived products, as a way to proudly represent the country. 

Looking back, what would you say is the value that design students like yourself get out of joining competitions?

Caberte: Through design competitions, students like us not only get to have an avenue to improve our presentation skills (specifically, digital presentation skills) but also get to tackle problems that we may not face in the academe. On top of that, design competitions allow us to have more personal autonomy in our design direction, helping us discover and refine our design principles and styles as student designers.

Teñoso: Apart from the prizes and awards, I believe that the true value of joining competitions is the chance for our ideas to be heard and for one’s design to be critiqued. For me, nothing compares to the honor of exposing my capabilities, thoughts, and creativity, out to the world. Most people would find that situation uncomfortable but I believe that it is always vital to allow other people to evaluate one’s design for our skill to improve and for one to grow as a designer. It is both a humbling and gratifying experience for me, to see what I’ve designed from the perspectives of other people.

Samaniego: The most important value that design students, like me, gain from joining competitions is the value of courage. Joining competitions will never be easy as it takes great courage to present oneself among an extensive number of people and compete with fellow students. However, getting out of our comfort zones helps us expand our minds and learn from new experiences. We should not let the fear of failure stop us from trying as we are always one choice away from changing our lives and improving ourselves.

Hospitality Bathroom Space Design Winners

The Hospitality Bathroom Space Design category’s target users are hotel guests on business or leisure trips. With careful consideration of its users’ health and well-being, the designs must be intended for bathrooms within hotel guest rooms, nine to square meters in size.

What pushed you to join the American Standard Design Award (ASDA) 2022? 

Oliver Jaison Juria, first prize winner: My design professor first introduced the contest to our class. I saw an opportunity for me to grow in terms of design skills and experience by joining. 

I also hoped that competing would help reveal a “better me.” I stick to a mantra of kaizen, or continuous improvement in working practices and personal efficiency—simply becoming 1% better every day is a reward in itself. When I read about the design brief and researched more about the brand’s user-centric design philosophy, it felt like a really good fit for me! I just couldn’t let this opportunity for growth as an aspiring designer go to waste. 

Overall, the competition experience was astonishing, especially with the overwhelming support I got from my family, friends, and professors. The organizers did a great job managing the competition, running it as smooth as butter! 🙂

Vanessa Mae Corpuz, second prize winner: I saw the ad for the competition during our semestral break and at that time, I wasn’t really doing anything, and I thought it might be nice to join this kind of competition for the first time, for me to experience and learn new things. 

Danielle Ann Balatan, third prize winner: I joined ASDA 2022 because I was nearing the end of my journey in college and thought that it was time I get out of my comfort zone and simply try to join a competition. The decision to join was solidified further when a friend expressed his interest in joining too, and we decided to collaborate and submitted an entry for both residential and hospitality design.

What were the challenges you encountered? How were these overcome?

Juria: There were times when I had to get up early and stay up late in order to accomplish the mountain of requirements and meet the deadline of the competition. There were times when I felt too burnt out to work, further compounded by digital fatigue. There were times when I didn’t have enough confidence in myself as I doubted my design skills as a youngling in my second year.

But there’s something about the difficult journey that felt amazing for me, to be able to reach the finish line, or in my case, meeting all the numerous requirements within the deadlines, and doing so with confidence. It made me realize that my dedication to the craft keeps me hungry to grow. Nothing expresses my motivations better than this quote by Kobe Bryant: “Dedication sees dreams come true.” 

Corpuz: Since I learned about the competition a bit late, I only had a little time to prepare for it. However, I was able to overcome this challenge by working my hardest to finish on time because I didn’t want to waste the opportunity.

Balatan: The main challenge for me was to start and decide on which concept to use. One would think designing a bathroom seems easy, as bathrooms are supposed to be straightforward and utilitarian. But where should I start? How should I start?  The possibilities are always endless, especially when not well-researched. Researching bathroom designs, materials, layout, and flow was key for us to overcome these challenges. 

What is your concept for your entry and what inspired it?

Juria: New health protocols came about as a response to the pandemic. Using pragmatic thinking, we can transition well or “flow” into a lifestyle that emphasizes wellbeing and safety. Only then can our lives be radiant. By valuing the continuity of life, we can make this world a better place.

The inspiration for my design is for users to achieve greater heights through the powerful concept of flow. As a passionate innovator, I wanted the design to be unusual and modern, combined with the natural principles of contrast and asymmetry. A key objective of mine was to capture movement through curves, as well as craft a more organic and open layout for the design. Users should feel unhindered in their movements in my bathroom while feeling comfortable and safe. 

Corpuz: My design concept hinges on creating space for relaxation, one that brings user wellness to the fore. I wanted to offer that momentary space of solitude as well as have a great place to unwind from the stresses of the day with a nice hot shower or warm bath. To achieve this, I drew from the concept of a riparian zone, which is known to have a relaxing and calming effect on people.

Balatan: The concept behind my design came from wanting to see vast ocean view from one’s bathroom, preferably while relaxing in a tub or while showering. Eventually, I realized that what was so enticing about having a view in sight is that it helps people slow down and take a breather. Hence, breathing became the central idea of the whole space—to make sure that users will be able to find an oasis, a space to ‘breathe’ in the bathroom.

Any notable feedback you received from the jury that struck you the most? What are your own thoughts about it?

Juria: One thing that struck me was a comment about how to improve my material selection, especially in bathrooms. I took that feedback to heart as it left me contemplating the need to research more about material specifications, not only for this competition but also in future projects.

Corpuz: I remember the judges saying that they liked how I used simple materials and a relaxing color combination. Before, I tended to be a maximalist, using various textures and different shades for my color scheme. And so this feedback reminded me that less is more and simple can be beautiful.

Balatan: The most notable feedback was the suggestion to take a step back from my design and think from the experience of the hotel staff who will clean and maintain the bathroom. I realized that my design will take more time to clean compared to usual bathroom designs.

I thought to research more and understand how the design will affect not just the guests, but the staff as well; and how hotel guests, like kids or the elderly, will find the user experience.

What do you appreciate the most about the design and quality of American Standard’s family of products, especially the models you used in your design?

Juria: Knowing that American Standard products embody a user-centric design philosophy, it is, in many a young designer’s minds, a dream brand to own and work with. I love how durable their products are, how clean and efficient—two words that should be emphasized in the post-pandemic era. The quality of their products offered the maximum level of comfort and hygiene that I desired for my design.

Corpuz: American Standard as a brand puts an emphasis on health, safety, and beauty. I appreciate how their use of modern technology enabled them to integrate touchless features into their well-designed products.

Balatan: American Standard lives up to its name and sets the bar for quality bathroom fixtures and products. I was in awe upon learning the different product lines offered by the company, and the design processes behind them. They were thoughtful and centered on the users. Despite the difference in concept for each appropriate industry, one thing stood out—sophistication.  It made me want to renovate our own bathroom! (Laughs)

As national winner, how would you prepare for the regional competition? What would you improve or change from your previous presentation?

Juria: I would definitely step up to the occasion. I will use the remaining days to search for what else can be improved in my presentation. This time, I will focus more on ways I can justify and explain my design in a crystal clear manner, devoid of fluff and filler. Lastly, as a firm believer in improvement, I will ask them to criticize every nook and cranny of my work in order to identify points of refinement which I believe can help me even after the competition finishes.

Looking back, what would you say is the value that design students like you get out of joining competitions?

Juria: Having a mindset of joining to grow instead of joining to win is what drives me to enter design competitions. This is my first competition but it really helped me in terms of knowledge and skills development. I feel like a completely different person after entering! Joining competitions is the best way to elevate our burning desire to become better versions of ourselves. 

Corpuz: Joining competitions like this provides a great platform to display the knowledge and skills we have amassed over the years as students. The experienced panel provided a critical analysis of our work and feedback that expanded our outlook when designing.

Balatan: Design competitions like ASDA provide exposure to a lot of design students. Presenting my design to the jury, I learned much more than I thought I would. I was just looking for an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, which I got, and I gained more knowledge through their constructive criticism. •

What comes next?

All national ASDA 2022 national winners from the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and India will be representing their countries at the regional level. 

For the APAC round, the judging period runs from March 23-30; presentation dates follow from March 31 to April 20. The announcement of winners for the APAC round will be on April 25, 2022. An exhibition dedicated to the winning entries will follow on a future date.

For more information on the APAC winners, visit the ASDA website or click the banner below.

Patti Sunio used to write fashion trend forecasts and must-have shopping lists before immersing herself into the world of Philippine design—the people, their stories, and the products that make it. She is currently managing editor of TouchPoint, the online magazine of FAME+. During the pandemic, she started learning to play tennis and completed her first virtual run-for-a-cause, which converted her kms to liters of drinking water for an Aeta community.