A wave of young innovators is reshaping the way we think about cities, homes, and even the clothes we wear. At De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, students unveiled a series of bold, future-focused projects that could change the way communities interact with their environment.
The inaugural Benilde Architecture and Design Innovation Prize (BADIP), organized by the School of Environment and Design, brought together aspiring architects, designers, and multimedia artists eager to tackle climate realities with creativity. Themed “Island Heat,” the competition asked students to imagine solutions that are both sustainable and socially conscious.
“We hope this sparks interest in design thinking and social design,” said SED Dean Ar. Harvey Vasquez. “This is not the end but the beginning of developing ideas that can make a real difference.”
The standout entry came from Team Jiro, whose project After Hours: Pagsiga sa Suga explores the untapped potential of piña fabric made from pineapple leaf waste. Beyond shielding people from the sun, the material doubles as a cooling device and a solar-powered lighting system, supporting Manila’s shift toward nighttime living.
Under the guidance of Ar. Philippe Jiro Coronado, the winning team, included Kara Danielle Co (Industrial Design), Reina Cruz and Eljin Ray Wagan (Multimedia Arts), and Robert Kervine Tan and Maia Martin (Architecture).
Runner-up Transient Tales from Team Enzo reimagines Mandaluyong’s urban landscape, encouraging slower, more intentional city life. Through modular designs and recycled materials, the project aims to give residents safe, restorative spaces amid the city’s relentless pace. The team was mentored by faculty member Jose Lorenzo Raphael Belandres.
Third place went to Everyday Futures: Ephemeral Architectural Innovations for Human-Centered Tech-Enabled Living by Architecture students Juan Pablo Nunag and Mikael Matthew Hilapo. Their vision includes an inflatable AI-assisted pavilion called Atmos and Giga, a device that converts used cooking oil into biodiesel, blending high-tech thinking with practical sustainability. They were advised by Ar. Moses Gabriel Fetalvero.
Judging the competition were urban anthropologist Ar. Leonido Gines Jr., educator Ar. Isola Tong, and sustainability advocate Ar. Freddy Bautista, with Benilde Architecture Program chairperson Ar. Ven Lawrence Quizon also in attendance.
