Words The Kanto team
Images and source Architecture & Design Awards 2023
(Zubu Design Associates)
And the accolades keep coming! Cebu-based Zubu Design Architects (ZDA) already had an amply decorated year in 2023, with shortlist placements and accolades from The PLAN Award and the APE Grupo Architecture Awards. They closed 2023 with a bang, nabbing five wins at the recently concluded Architecture & Design Collection (ADC) Awards 2023. Out of the 156 global winners, five hail from the Philippines, all of which are ZDA projects in Cebu.
Zubu Design Associates are accorded two Platinum Winners, the highest awards tier, for APM Prime (Retail, Department Store, and Mall Design, Unbuilt) and Yello Hotel (Hospitality Design, Built). They also net three Silver Winners, two for projects that have previously been shortlisted or awarded in other competitions: The Scout Hall (Educational Facilities, Built), and Bent House (Architectural Home Design, Unbuilt), their final Silver win going to Club Aqua (Hospitality Design, Unbuilt).
Buck Sia, principal of Zubu Design Associates, ruminates on the work they do at the studio after their multiple wins: “We aimed to amplify the role of architecture as a conduit for exploration. These projects embody this notion, transcending mere aesthetic considerations. Our focus extends to actively manipulating elements, influencing both programmatic aspects and circulation. We aspire to imbue the project with a distinctive design experience through this deliberate process.”
Envisioned as a global platform celebrating “…innovation, creativity, and excellence” in architecture and the allied arts, the Architecture & Design Collection Awards program has existed since 2022. It is open for entry to international practices, both starting and established. The awards program seeks to “…honor outstanding architects, designers, web designers, research, entrepreneurs, students, and other creative thinkers” on a level playing field, with awards dedicated to the following design disciplines:
- Architecture
- Interior
- Landscape
- Conceptual Design
- Fashion
- Furniture
- Lighting
- Packaging
- Product
- Transportation
- Communication & Web Design
Winners of the ADC Awards stand to receive the following benefits:
- Certificate of achievement for winners and awardees
- Personalized award logo for winners and awardees
- Award trophies for winners and awardees
- Publication in ADC’s list of winners
- Project feature on ADC’s homepage, and a dedicated project feature page
- Project appearance on ADC’s social media channels
- Select projects up for consideration as cover of future ADC Awards
- Project inclusion in ADC newsletters
This year’s crop of winners was selected by a multinational Grand Jury tasked to score, from 0 to 100, each participating project across three criteria: 1. Innovation and originality, 2. Design and esthetic look, and 3. Functionality and spatial integration. Winners are classified into three tiers: Platinum, Gold, and Silver. The Grand Jury for 2023 consists of:
- Gerrick Numan – Owner, Creative Director, Millé, New Zealand
- Bret Recor – Founder and Creative Director, Box Clever, USA
- Annabella Hervesi – Head of Design, I O Line and Round, Hungary
- Katrina Yin – Design Manager, JDS Development Group, USA
- Nuno Costa – Architect, ARCA EUAC, Doisarcuitectos, Portugal
- Hannah Churchill – Founder, hcreates interior design, China
Get to know Zubu Design Associates’ ADC-winning projects below. Studio writeups were edited for brevity. Pahalipay to the Zubu Design Associates team! •
APM Prime
Platinum Winner, Architecture
Retail, Department Store, and Mall Design
APM Prime Mall is a 12,180 sqm complex with retail and events spaces. Its overall design and space planning aim to be committed to sustainability. The exterior features protruding boxes with curvatures resembling a carved space with various textures and shades. The mall embraces passive cooling for common areas and prioritizes natural ventilation, reducing reliance on artificial climate control to minimize operational costs. Spaces were strategically allocated as well, ensuring a distinctive and marketable destination for businesses while prioritizing a memorable and enjoyable experience for customers.
Yello Hotel
Platinum Winner, Architecture
Hospitality Design
Yello Hotel in Cebu City aims to provide a distinctive and stylish experience for budget travelers in Cebu. It sits on a compact plot with limited access and boasts of 196 rooms. Despite the small room dimensions, the hotel’s design aims to deliver a dynamic façade. The articulated façade has inverted J-shaped concrete canopies providing solar shading and framing window views. The upper sections of the building add depth and transparency to the façade, with yellow consistently serving as a theme in the hotel rooms. Inside, the lobby has various colors and patterns to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Bent House
Silver Winner, Architecture
Architectural Home Design
The Bent House is a private beach retreat designed to provide a personal sanctuary and a communal space for entertaining. It features an intermediate space that seamlessly connects the main suite and guest rooms, serving as a welcoming entrance to the villa and beach. Located on a beachfront property with a 3-meter-high seawall, the villa was designed to mitigate risks from strong typhoons and storm surges. It incorporates measures such as curving the villa upwards and raising and tiering the levels on the ground plane to enhance privacy while maximizing scenic views. The villa’s design features a communal void separating the main and guest suites, framing the natural view of the sea and beach. The villa takes the form of a simple box that bends in two directions, delivering a distinctive design experience while prioritizing the safety of the residents. The Bent House combines beauty and resilience, uniting the client’s desire for a beach retreat with the need for safety in the face of typhoons and storm surges. Its innovative concept, communal space, and skillfully crafted architecture create an unforgettable experience.
Scout Hall
Silver Winner, Architecture
Educational Facilities
The Juanito I. King Scout Hall is a versatile 319 sqm, two-story building located on the campus of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. Its strategic placement, adjacent to a five-story building, the main canteen, and an open field, makes it an ideal gathering spot for people and a suitable venue for scout-related activities. The Scout Hall was designed collaboratively by alums of the Institution, including Buck Sia of Zubu Design Associates, Ryan Rasines of Arkinamix, and Rowell Shih of Ren Design Studio. The objective was to create a design that embodies the legacy and pride of the Scouting Unit while ensuring accessibility and integration with the rest of the campus. On the ground floor, there is an office space for administrative tasks, a storage area to keep all the necessary equipment, and even a scout shop where scouts can purchase their essentials. The second floor of the building is dedicated to showcasing memorabilia that celebrates the rich history and success of the Scouting Unit. The Scout Hall is not just a functional building; it symbolizes the pride and legacy of the Scouting Unit at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. The design ensures a seamless flow of movement, making it easy for scouts to navigate and access different areas. With thoughtful design elements, functional spaces, and a seamless flow of movement, it captures the essence of scouting and is a testament to the school’s commitment to architectural excellence.
Club Aqua
Silver Winner, Architecture
Hospitality Design
Club Aqua is a 783 sqm clubhouse for ten low-rise residential buildings in Mactan, Cebu. The amenity belt of gardens and pools leads to Club Aqua, reflecting the organic flow of water. Inspired by water flow, the architectural design is expressed through a curving roof, wooden slats, and thoughtful space planning. The clubhouse comprises a lobby, function hall, kid’s play area, business center, gym, and game room. Wooden slats aim to draw users toward the function room and rear garden. Club Aqua promotes a sense of movement within the building and celebrates water.
