Design Commune presents a curated showcase featuring home and fashion pieces from CITEM’s product development program. This year’s edition is anchored on the theme, “Light the Way,” drawing from the uniquely Filipino term “maaliwalas” that means light and airy.
The visual exhibition will be followed by a round table discussion on how these spaces reflect our desire for positivity, balance and hope. Participating in the discussion will be Architect Aya Maceda of New York-based design firm ALAO, Stenie Coyiuto-Tay of Casa Bella, Architect Nicole Tan of interior design firm Boon, and product designers Rita Nazareno, Gabby Lichauco, Stanley Ruiz, and Rachelle Dagñalan.
BOON
Nicole Tan is the founding designer of Boon, an online platform and workspace that houses suppliers and designers who are ready to help design dream homes—with just a few swipes and clicks. Some of her most notable projects include The Reef Island Resort, Isla Camungi, Resort Suite at Movenpick, Apartment at 32 Sanson, and Stylized Home with Liz Uy.
Nicole is an architect and interior designer who takes on a hands-on approach in all of Boon’s projects—from planning the detailing and furniture, fixtures and fabrics, to actual implementation. Nicole has worked on residential and commercial projects around the Philippines.
A casual, clear and water-side space where the family can gather and relax in an informal manner. It is a space that blends together natural materials, local craftsmanship and soft organic silhouettes to create a delightful yet serene dining experience.
“In our extensive product selection, we considered marine elements with very subtle hints of nature to perpetuate a casual lounging atmosphere.”
Our surroundings influence how our habits are formed. This work-from-home space aims to spur productivity and creativity by putting a round table at the center. It aims to welcome collaboration while subtly suggesting that the main activity in the space is work.
“With the user at the center, we want to cultivate productivity instead of the usual habit of facing a wall, where people are forcing themselves to focus by trying to eliminate all distractions.”
CASA BELLA
Stephanie "Stenie" Coyiuto-Tay is the founder and managing director of Casa Bella Home & Living, which carries the most luxurious and elite design pieces from the world’s leading brands: Cassina, Kettal, Moroso, Cattelan Italia, Novamobili, and Henge. She also manages Design Story, the official dealer of the brands HAY, Stellar Works, and &Tradition in the Philippines. She is also the creative director for Fig and Vine, a premier floral studio.
Before her current ventures, Stenie worked in corporate finance. But with her passion for the arts, she has now found herself deeply immersed in the creative world of interior and lifestyle design.
The bedroom is an integral part of every home. It is a space for relaxation and immersion. It should be carefully curated as a space with careful emphasis on the energy that it brings. Each chosen piece must bring a sense of comfort and completeness to the person who uses it.
“I envisioned a space that evokes an emotional response, one that is very personal — and in keeping with our theme, one that is harmonious.”
The living room is where everyone gathers for conversation. Going for understated elegance, each iconic piece is harmoniously curated to have a pleasing impact, but not so much as to overpower the overall room aesthetics.
"I wanted to show how timeless European classics can mix with beautiful local pieces as well."
"European iconic pieces can blend well with the works of our brilliant local designers in the same space."
ALAO
Aya Maceda is a Filipino-Australian architect and professor at Parsons School of Design in New York. She is a co-founder of ALAO, a collaborative studio led by Aya and her partner, James Carse. ALAO has offices in New York and New Orleans, and works with clients from around the world. Her biggest projects include Art Built, Brooklyn, NYC, Hard Working Movies Studio, Brooklyn New York, RM Williams, Los Angeles, CA, The Busay Strand, Cebu and Siama Hotel, Sorsogon.
Aya has worked with prestigious practices in Australia, Singapore, and the Philippines, specializing in the design of complex, award-winning residential and institutional projects—from highly detailed single dwellings to public libraries and university buildings.
Similar to the Philippines’ stone houses, the open plan living spaces are located on the second floor, while private cocoonish spaces remain on the ground floor. There are two vaulted ceilings connected by a skylight to let light filter in.
"The driving decision in designing a space is how to create a balance of proportion, since there will be a natural flow of breeze and storm occurrences."
As an extension of the Exterior Cabana, this space is a generous veranda that broadens the horizon of the living space to the exterior, with sliding doors to create a seamless indoor and outdoor living experience—presenting an uninterrupted view of the ocean scenery.
"This design space evokes positivity as it allows a layering of spaces and a feeling of expansion. When you are in the living room, you see the veranda beyond, then the pool, then the exterior cabana and the view of the ocean."
CITEM’S
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) regularly conducts product development programs as part of its push to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) create export-ready and globally competitive products. CITEM showcases the creations of its product development program in FAME+ and other overseas trade fairs (OTFs) for the home, fashion and lifestyle industry in collaboration with esteemed designers and product specialists.
BE PART OF OUR
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
CONTACT US AT EXHIBITORSERVICES@CITEM.COM.PH
Rita Nazareno is an Emmy Award-winning television producer whose shift to design is a product of passion and family ties. She is the Creative Director of ZACARIAS 1925, a brand of handwoven bags and home accessories, which has shown in various international design shows such as Maison et Objet Paris, Premiere Classe Paris, Pitti Firenze, Super Milan, Salone et Mobile and Watari Museum’s On Sundays.
Milan-trained industrial designer Gabby Lichauco is the owner of Openstudio and the founder of the creative platform NEWFOLK, a collective of Filipino designers who promote innovative work using homegrown materials. He is also a seasoned exhibitor who participated in various international shows like the Venice Art Biennale, XXI Triennale International Exhibition 2016 and several editions of Salone Internazionale del Mobile de Milano.
Rachelle Dagñalan is a product designer, industrial designer, development consultant, and mentor. She recently worked with local brands and manufacturers for the NY Now Digital Market. She is also known as the founder of RADA Collab, which she established after years of collaboration with local design luminaries, such as Kenneth Cobonpue, Jinggoy Buensuceso, and Budji Layug.
Industrial designer Stanley Ruiz came home to the Philippines after years of living in New York, where he worked for various design companies, among them, that of famed potter and designer Jonathan Adler. He then established Estudio Ruiz, his design consultancy firm, and has since taken on both personal and collaborative projects. Stanley has been a long-time consultant for CITEM and for the Design Center of the Philippines.
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