Words Gabrielle de la Cruz
Images Forma
“When you stand at the entrance, you’re given a choice to turn left or right. You get a sense of order, but also the implication that you can explore the space as you see fit and simply embrace the peace,” opened architect Jorge Yulo during a tour of the Hacienda Community Center in Laguna at Kanto Intersections with Kohler last May 31, Saturday. The event marked Kohler Philippines and Kanto’s first collaboration, inviting architects and designers to a slow and sensory afternoon.
Represented at the design retreat were Alt+38 Design Studio, BAAD Studio, Commonsense Studio, DesignHQ, Hurray Design, InnovArc Design & Construction, JJA Bespoke, Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates, Leandro V. Locsin Partners, PXP Design Workshop, and Studio Ong. For the whole afternoon, Kohler Philippines partnered with wellness advocates and brands for nourishing sessions: a sound bath by the pool with Sphaera Lucis, bespoke reed diffuser-making and a micro spa nook care of The Aroma Assembly, and vibrant plant-based food and refreshments from Habits by Mia Sison.
Before the architectural tour, guests were welcomed with a lunch and short program at the Hacienda’s largest space, Room A, which houses a 200-square-meter dining hall and a kitchen. The space is reminiscent of a familial glasshouse, providing a view of the four mango trees around which the entire center is organized. It was a proper introduction to the calm that both the venue and the event had to offer, with the guests encouraged to experience the space—and the day—at their own pace.
In his welcome remarks, founder Patrick Kasingsing highlighted Kanto’s principle of intent over scale, as reflected by the people, places, and objects featured in the title. The same goes for Kanto’s events and collaborations, which aim to create conversations, deepen connections, and incite meaning. Kohler Philippines echoed the same sentiment. “We don’t want to be just a business, we want to be intentional,” shared marketing manager Kimi Abapo. She said that for the longest time, Kohler has been recognized as a “maker of products,” which they have recently been working towards evolving. “We want to be known as a maker of experiences.”
During the tour, designers were encouraged to observe, ask questions, and take photos. Yulo talked about his “extended home” concept for the recreational space and shared some observations from the community about the center. “Architecture is all about listening. When I first saw this site, I roamed around and put myself in the shoes of the user: What would I want to see in such a space? What would I wish to experience in such a site?” he explained, but also humbly suggested that the reception was not the same for all users. “For example, the wives hate the rocky path because they can’t walk in high heels,” he jested.
DesignHQ representatives, interior designers Denille Teh and Macon Davila, said that hearing Yulo’s thoughtful design process was among the highlights of their experience. “Being surrounded by lush greenery while indulging in wellness experiences that awakened every sense made the day feel like a relaxed, luxurious escape. It was a quick getaway that offered not just calm, but the rare joy of truly slowing down.”
All wellness sessions proceeded after the tour, free-flowing until the end of the afternoon. I walked around the site for most of the day and saw the designers relax at the sound bath by the pool area, de-stress with hand massages, and converse over plant-based food and drinks. Admittedly, it was the little interactions that made up the day, like asking how a session felt for the other or catching up on recent trips, projects, and the like.
I recall asking Charisse Ong of Studio Ong how the experience has been so far, to which she replied: “I love how the architecture and nature speak with each other, allowing that human connection to be felt in a very raw way, which is rare to experience every day. The wellness program by Kohler makes a perfect touch; it’s a good reminder for us to always design not just with how a space will look, but how it will make people feel.”
In the midst of all activities, the day allowed us to experience the Hacienda Community Center in different weather conditions. It was sunny when we came, rain poured in the middle of the afternoon, and the sun rose again right before we left. I was seated with Aldo Mayoralgo and Mico Peña of Leandro V. Locsin and Partners while we observed raindrops falling on the well-designed roofs of the center, with the aroma of scents from the sound bath area driven by the wind. “This already is an experience itself,” Mayoralgo said. “To be able to see a space like this in different conditions and see how it has grown with time, that already says a lot.”
I also chanced upon Kohler Country Manager Pio Enrique Gutierrez, who said that the message of events and initiatives like this is what they hope to be known for. “We don’t want to simply mount an event and showcase our products and offerings. We want people to know what Kohler feels like.” Raisa Vargas of Commonsense Studio shared that immersing in the activities Kohler prepared brought them a peaceful afternoon. “I always believe that experiencing a space means immersing yourself in the things that unfold with it. Through this event by Kohler and Kanto, we were able to meet the Hacienda Community Center in a new light and enjoy a day that flowed effortlessly.”
Of course, I couldn’t let the day pass without having a conversation with Yulo himself. I told him about how much I enjoyed observing the roofing details he designed, which had uniform dimensions but somehow managed to be different through little surprises. “Those little surprises are essential to keep you wanting to look for more and observe the space; to pause and absorb all the details.” I then asked him the question: “What was the most challenging thing about designing this space?”, to which he responded: “That it’s actually something that the people, the families in the community, will give a shit about.” He said that there was this pressure, but that later translated into wanting to give the users a sense of peace.
We end this recap with beautiful words from Yulo: “To find something from before, build on it, create a new but fitting feel, and leave it changed for it to become a memory for tomorrow, that’s the whole point of design.” •
