Words Gabrielle de la Cruz
Images WAF 2024
“This is it!” I heard a student from one of the Philippines tell their teammates while rehearsing their presentations and preparing for their turn for the live Global Student Design Charette. Eight student teams were shortlisted for the charette, but only seven showed up in Singapore. Four teams are from the Philippines, with the University of Northern Philippines and Mapua Malayan Colleges Mindanao having two teams respectively.
Last year, the Philippines made a victorious return to the charette with the University of Northern Philippines’ BALAY ARAPAAP, “an inclusive informal learning center for the remote island of Puro Caoayan.” This inspired more student teams to join the festival and gave them the courage to take on the global stage.
Student Presentations
Team B from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, led by Jasper Arnilla with teammates Ahlea Trisha Dy, David Paul Wong, Gian Elde Israel, designed Revive, a proposed waste processing facility for Davao City.
“This is a very good presentation. Well-rehearsed too, actually” said juror Stuart Rough to MMCM’s Team B. The judges were particularly interested in understanding more about Revive’s timeline and how the transition between the old and new waste sites, and how the opportunities for waste education and management will work for the community. The team was able to respond to most questions, with Arnilla highlighting the solid waste complex as the heart of the project.
Team Project BorderLINE, composed of leader Mary Maybelle C. Alaba, Quenkle T. Ballesteros, Rachelle Anne N. Arce, Ryan Jay E. Azur, and Mary Grace J. Arzabal, presented their plans to shield neighboring areas of Lagben Bay from floods.
Their design focused on a multi-purpose defense wall, consisting of a greenbelt that connects to different nodes for community engagement. The jury congratulated the students for coming up with the idea but challenged them to rethink about construction and access paths of the project. The team did their best to address each of the jury’s concerns, saying that they will improve on their concept.
UNP’s second team is composed of Mark Jerome P. Ganal, Jeronimo C. Valdez, Merie Cyril Mae M. Antonio, Jovi Anne H. Haduca, John Dave S. Tabbilos. The team presented Verstack, a dynamic model for vertical farming.
The students centered their narrative on improving the living conditions and livelihood of farmers and families, incorporating land utilization management through vertical farming. The jurors appreciated the students’ intention, but asked them to rethink the building’s height and construction method considering their focus on sustainability. Overall, the presentation ended well, juror Ben Somner calling the project “ambitious.”
The last crits of the day was by MMCM’s Team A, with members Akari Inagaki, Arnel Rasheed Defensor, Jokeziah Lomuljo, Greg Johnbelle Bantayan, Lainniel Jessica Carongay, and Shane Alden Galindez.
They presented Ranina, a proposed hawker and evacuation center for Bislig City. The students were not able to finish a few slides given the time limit but were able to introduce their concept and how they drew inspiration from the city’s main produce, crab. The judges lauded the team’s efforts to address the needs of the community, but advised them to revisit their designs to make them more efficient in terms of construction and project realization.
While Team Philippines did not bring the charette trophy home today, the students’ willingness and bravery to share their work and ideas with an international audience is worth all the recognition. “Joining competitions like this is a stepping stone to being internationally recognized and winning international projects,” Kanto editor-at-large Judith Torres told the students during the post-crits lunch sponsored by GROHE. “Encourage your fellow student architects and even those who are younger than you. Keep that fire burning.”
#KantoWAF2024
And our WAF 2024 journey ends here! A huge shoutout to all our WAF 2024 finalists for your courage and determination! We also would like to once again congratulate Bacungan Architects, Pluszerotwo Architecture, and Swito Architecture Designs for winning under the WAFX Carbon and Climate and Power and Justice categories. Mabuhay kayong lahat! •
