Words and Images Barchan + Architecture
Editing The Kanto team
“We’re proud of what we did at Buensalido + Architects, and since 2006, with the support of our partners, architects, and clients, we have grown into a structured architectural design collective,” opens Jason Buensalido, founder of Buensalido + Architects. “With plans to continue to push the envelope here at home and take on projects beyond the Philippines, we embrace a new name.”
The award-winning architecture firm ushers in a new chapter as Barchan + Architecture, marking the milestone with the launch of a limited-edition coffee table book Shifting Sands. The relaunch happened on April 25, 2024, at the Seven Neo Building in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
The new name comes from the word ‘barchan’, a crescent-shaped dune found in deserts. The firm shares that barchans exist without consuming natural resources, letting themselves be shaped by nature. “It symbolizes our belief in architecture shaped by context. Like barchans, our designs tell stories of nature and human aspiration, preserving memories and enabling new legacies,” Buensalido shares. In an exclusive conversation with Kanto, Buensalido explained that the rebrand emphasizes how a practice, just like any other endeavor, is never just “personality-based.” He adds that their firm hopes to take on more nation-building projects moving forward and that they aspire to further evolve as a team. “By taking away the Buensalido name from the firm, we allow the practice to be remembered more for our design philosophy and collective identity. It also embraces a future where a new generation of architects leads the firm.”
This new identity and design philosophy is marked by the firm’s coffee table book, Shifting Sands. Written by Edson Cabalfin and designed by the branding firm Design for Tomorrow, the book offers “a deep dive into Barchan Architecture’s embrace of authenticity, altruism, aspiration, and advancement.” The team gathered images and narratives about their projects, showcasing how each of these embody and exemplify their design principles. “We want the projects to resonate with anyone, no matter their background,” Barchan + Architecture says.
“This book embodies our new identity as Barchan and reflects on past achievements and challenges, representing a step forward for all of us together. It reaffirms our commitment to addressing Filipino identity in architecture amidst evolving projects and clients,” adds Ems Eliseo, vice president of operations and associate architect.
Buensalido + Architects was founded by Jason Buensalido in 2006. It has made its mark on the local architecture landscape with its dedication to introducing fresh, bold, and innovative concepts to the Philippine design setting. Under the leadership of Barchan’s key management namely Vice President of Admin, Finance, and Culture Nikki Boncan-Buensalido; Vice President of Operations & Associate Architect Ems Eliseo; Associate Architect for Design and Lead Project Architect Jerome Bautista; and Associate Architect for Culture and Lead Project Architect Cholo Ramirez, the firm shares that it has “adopted a more mature design practice,” and will explore new ways to express culture in architecture and improve lives through design. •
