Every year Wilcon, one of the country’s leading construction supply companies, partner with WorldBex, an esteemed construction industry event, and with the Council of Interior Design Educators (CIDE) to sponsor the most important student Interior Design competition in the Philippines. Called Obra Maestra (Latin for Masterpiece), the event challenges Interior Design programs ll over the country to compete for honors and prizes.
The theme this year was called Asean-Centric – a nod to the upcoming ASEAN integration which will break down barriers to design practice within our region. SoFA Design Institute was assigned the task of designing (and building) a Cambodian-themed dining room. Our team of 5 Interior Design students, Maggie Wilson, Mark San Diego, Mica Jacinto, Daniele Isabella and Janelle Siguenza, led by SoFA Design Institute’s Interior Design chair Denise Ayado, conceptualized a sophisticated installation inspired by Ankor Wat, the central cultural artifact of the ancient Khmer culture of Cambodia.
The students’ design journey was kicked off by an intensive mentoring session with assigned faculty, and SoFA Design Institute’s dean, Tobias Guggenheimer. The students were guided through a rigorous design process that involved thorough brainstorming and research that figured in historical and cultural influences of Cambodia. Throughout the experience, the team of students pitched and critiqued ideas until they arrived at a winning design concept which they saw through to production.
Complete with a live water feature, the project was awarded first prize by a jury of 5 industry professionals. The team not only brought home bragging rights by besting 11 Interior Design programs, they also won a cash prize and a handsome marble trophy which will soon grace our campus.
SoFA Design Institute’s BS Interior Design program is open for admissions for school year 2015 – 2016 (June Semester). Other Interior Design programs are open for enrollment. For inquiries, contact the SoFA Design Institute – Admissions Office (E: admissions@sofa.edu.ph), T: (02) 478 4611 or 22 loc. 150).
ADVT