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 ten 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. This is where businesses showcase their latest products and technologies.
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.
“Our imagination assists us to process past experiences and manage difficult emotions, visualize desired outcomes and relax the mind and body, by envisioning something that makes you feel happy and safe,” Cua shared.
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.
“My entry centered around two key concepts: Familiar and familial. It should be an accustomed, calming, and homey place. It shouldn’t feel like the typical day care or medical facility,” Cua explained.
Maria Beatrice De Vega’s Resonance, Beatrice Dominique Lo’sBowl of Memories, and Juliane Mari Jao’sLimitless 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.
“This project translates nostalgia into a therapeutic environment,” De Vega said. “By integrating mid-century local style, it connects seniors with their past which sparks familiarity to rekindle happiness. It reflects how the elements echo personal remembrance and foster one’s well-being in a functional and nurturing space.”
On the other hand, 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.
“It stems from sinigang na baboy, one of my Ama’s (grandmother’s) favorite dishes. The nostalgic essence of this Filipino soup served as the foundation of the design. My Ama is one of many who live with dementia, and when I heard the prompt, I immediately envisioned a setting that she would find comforting and familiar,” Lo noted.
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.
“This served as an inspiration to transform the space that would support the user’s freedom to choose how to attain a healthier and positive outlook in overcoming obstacles and uncontrollable changes to attain a higher form of living,” Jao said.
The Benildeans were mentored by educator IDr. Candice Arboleda.
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