Several interior design students conceptualized safe havens to create a supportive environment for the elderly during the 21st Estilo de Vida.
Themed Embracing Memories, Embracing Lives: A Sanctuary for Seniors, the day care facilities were dedicated to mild to moderate dementia patients.
Four out of the 10 finalists in the country’s prestigious inter-school competition hailed from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).
Dionne Jessica Cua, whose work Bahay-bahayan placed second runner-up, exhibited her winning design in a physical booth at Philconstruct, a renowned trade show series in the Philippines’ construction industry.
Bahay-bahayan is inspired by a beloved Pinoy game where children role-play to experience a sense of belongingness and joy. It seeks to evoke the warmth of home.
Characterized by spacious layouts, contrasting colors and textures, and cozy decors, it provides a peaceful ambiance. This mind-stimulating space encourages social interaction and connection.
Maria Beatrice De Vega’s Resonance, Beatrice Dominique Lo’s Bowl of Memories, and Juliane Mari Jao’s Limitless also made it to the top ten winners of the contest.
Resonance is reminiscent of the 1950s-1960s Philippines, an era where today’s senior citizens formed their earliest recollections. This tranquil retreat combined modern, sustainable materials with traditional Filipino elements such as woven textures and vibrant heritage tones.
Bowl of Memories drew influence from the ingredients of a soothing Filipino dish and underscored the power of food to bring people together. It features fluid motif, soft edges, and modular furniture, including ottoman chairs embedded in walls, to optimize space and invigorate the brain.
Another work of art that caught the eye of the judges was Limitless, which promotes an active lifestyle by offering an interactive and reassuring refuge. Modeled after a compass, the project focuses on bringing enlightenment and redirection to the lost and confused lives of senior citizens with dementia through the reimagined facility.
The Benildeans were mentored by educator interior designer Candice Arboleda.
