Solid Start: WAF 2023 Day One Recap

We have landed in Singapore! This year’s record-breaking turnout of twelve shortlisted projects is at the final stage of WAF 2023, with each Filipino firm presenting under their respective categories. New to the live crits experience are Archion Architects, Dominic Galicia Architects, KJHP Design Group, MLA At Home, and PDP Architects. Along with them are WAF veterans and returning finalists Buensalido + Architects (now Barchan Architecture), Carlo Calma Consultancy, DST Design+Build, JRS+Partners, Visionarch, and WTA Design Studio. Alero Design Studio also makes their WAF comeback by stepping INSIDE, an interior design festival part of WAF.

Architecture Drawing Prize winner under the Hybrid category Eldry Infante and students from the University of Northern Philippines who are representing the country for the WAF Student Charette join in as well, with the Filipino team showing solid support during their peers’ presentations.

First Flight

Starting strong for WAF Day 1 is Buensalido + Architects with the Pangasinan Barangay Centers, which was announced as this year’s Highly Commended project under the Future Projects, Civic and Community category! Juror Alberto Favaro called the project “really inspiring,” adding that “there is no better word to describe” its dedication to showcase the community’s craft by including them from the planning to the design and construction stages. With the presentation covering the project’s winning elements, the jurors were only curious with regard to how the firm secured the project. Founder and principal Jason Buensalido then shared the project’s collaborative story with Congressman Toff De Venecia. He also answered the question about the material of the panels, sharing that they chose cement boards given their flexibility and availability in the local setting. The presentation ended with a few minutes to spare, with juror Cany Ash noting: “Thank you. This project is truly aspirational.”

The second presentation of the day was La Terrain by Pampanga-based and first-time WAF finalist KJHP Design Studio. During the WAF 2023 Practice Crits organized by GROHE and Kanto, the mock jurors’ advice was for the team to focus on the poetry of the project. KJHP addressed this by highlighting the project’s neo-vernacular design and its slogan, “Getting lost to find one’s self.” While these were admired by the jurors, the team was asked to think more about the project’s hard and cold materials such as metal and how these may “dampen” the totality of the serene design. The question and answer ended well, with KJHP taking home advice from the jury to be more mindful of how much a project should consider the environmental aspects of its site.

Archion Architects, represented by junior partner Doni Dionisio, showcased the new bahay-na-bato-inspired Manta Corporate Plaza in Taguig. The office building is the first of its kind in the urban area and is characterized by balconies and screens for ventilation purposes. Juror James Callaghan asked for a more comprehensive explanation of the building’s natural techniques for minimizing energy consumption and the like. “We do not like fixed windows,” Dionisio answered. “The screens and balconies were also designed to allow natural light in through volumetric play.” The team was also asked to rethink whether the building’s reference to vernacular design sits well with the site’s surroundings.

Representing the Philippines at the INSIDE Festival of Interiors is Alero Design Studio with their very own office, Rebel Base. Siblings Jesy and Jaemi Cruz introduced the space as a reflection of their team, with it housing their studio’s local art and furniture collection. “I like how the space is new but the design showcases the history of your firm through the incorporation of pieces that you’ve had since day one,” said juror Gonca Arik Caliskan. On the other hand, juror Tim Kwan touched on the quirkiness of the space, asking whether it increases or decreases the productivity of the team. “I guess it’s safe to say that the space makes our office culture more relaxed and has successfully brought us closer,” Jesy Cruz ended.

William Ti of WTA Design Studio fought a strong game in his category, with FEM Stadium winning a Highly Commended award under WAF 2023 Completed Projects, Sport. His presentation highlighted the project as a “people’s stadium,” demonstrating how the space can be used by the community on an everyday basis. The jurors appreciated this, sharing that it is an aspect that previous presenters failed to touch on. Among the questions raised was the naming, ownership, and funding of the stadium, with Ti responding that it only carried over the name of an existing stadium in the province and that it was funded by the local government.

WAF first-timer Laurence Angeles of MLA At Home was up next with Micro Housing for Ancestral Domains. The architect shared that fast and easy homes are almost impossible in mountainous terrains, which they addressed through proper planning and the use of readily available materials. Juror Simon Grayson wanted to know how the foundations and footprint were determined. Angeles replied: “In the absence of urban design policy, we literally went back to the roots. That determines the viable types of plantation, which depends on the quality of the soil, the hardness and slope, and the root stop. We also thought deeply about the structural system.” The presentation ended with Angeles underlining that their system is not fixed and that the prototype can adjust depending on the terroir.

Back-to-back with Laurence Angeles as the last presenter for the first day of WAF 2023 is Cathy Saldana of PDP Architects. Their firm’s project, Damosa Land Diamond Tower, was introduced as a “catalyst” in the developing area of Davao in the context of architectural design. Juror James Callaghan wanted a deeper understanding of the placement of each fin in the façade, with Saldana sharing that the fins on each side of the building vary in numbers and orientation depending on the need to ward off heat and welcome light. Moreover, juror Paul Hyett asked about the economic impacts that the building has and was happy to find out that it has provided more employment to people in the area. “Thank you very much for sharing. I can really feel your energy and passion towards your project,” Hyett said to Saldana.

The Architecture Drawing Prize and WAF 2023 Student Charette

Architecture Drawing Prize winner under the Hybrid category Eldry Infante of MEDE Architecture also talked about his winning entry, (Re)membering the See Monster. He presented on the festival stage along with Digital category winner Eugene Tan, with WAF festival director Paul Finch, Make Architects’ Ken Shuttleworth, and Lily Jencks as panel.

“I appreciate the complexity and simplicity that your drawing exhibits,” Finch said to Infante. His winning work is currently exhibited at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore for WAF 2023, and will be showcased again at the Sir John Soane Museum in London, from January 31 to March 3, where the overall winner of the prize will be revealed.

Students from the University of Northern Philippines also had their hands full for Day One! Team member Marvin Bayle shared that they performed additions for their entry BALAY ARAPAAP following the notes they took during the briefing. Their proposal is an inclusive informal learning center for the remote island of Puro Caoayan, which will be presented on the third and last day of WAF 2023.

Great job, team Philippines! On to the next ones! •

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