Interior design students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde refurbished recreational and livelihood spaces at Bahay Pag-asa in Cavite City, aiming to support healing, creativity, and daily well-being for youth residents.
The project focused on the Bahay Pag-Asa Dasmariñas facility, established in 2009 to provide protection, guidance, and rehabilitation for children in conflict with the law. Located inside the 27-hectare campus of De La Salle University Dasmariñas, the center houses boys ages 15 to 18 undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
As part of a service-learning initiative, Benilde Interior Design students upgraded the 25-square-meter Bakery Kitchen and the 38-square-meter Recreational Hall. The work was carried out under the supervision of Interior Design Program chairperson IDr. Katherine Anne Correa and industry mentors IDr. Karol Ann Antonio, IDr. Hannah Kirsten Dumlao, and IDr. Patrick Roy Javier.
The student-led project, called SIGLA from the Filipino word for vigor, centered on the idea of purposeful energy in spaces designed for growth and recovery.
“By infusing liveliness into every experience, the concept turns growth into a dynamic, engaging journey rather than a passive process,” the group said in a project statement. It added that the design represents the momentum of hope as residents rebuild confidence and direction.
The team drew from the backgrounds and lived experiences of the residents, incorporating layered textures, bold contrasts, dynamic lines and raw yet intentional elements in the design.
“These influences gave the space character and edge,” the students said. “It reinforced the idea change does not require forgetting where one came from.”
The design concept used the keyword hulma, or mold, framing the rehabilitation spaces as areas for transformation where residents can develop skills with guidance and support.
The students worked on the project for four months, handling research, fundraising, construction, and finishing work.
The renovated spaces feature an industrial Bauhaus-inspired design with exposed structures, clean lines, and functional forms. Natural wood and softer textures were added to introduce warmth.
Color and lighting were guided by psychological design principles, with cool tones such as blue and green used to promote a calmer environment compared with typical institutional settings.
In the Bakery Kitchen, where residents prepare items such as pan de sal, the layout was redesigned for a safer and more efficient workflow, including partitions and task-focused pendant lighting.
The Recreational Hall, which functions as both a music room and study area, was designed with dividers to support airflow while separating activity zones. Flush-mounted lighting was installed for even illumination, along with layered lighting systems to support different uses of the space.
Acoustic panels were also installed in the Recreational Hall to improve sound quality and reduce echo during music and speech activities.
“When their recordings sound professional, it validates their effort and talent,” the students said, adding that improved acoustics also help create a safer space for self-expression.
The project team said the improvements aim to reduce a clinical atmosphere and create a more supportive environment for rehabilitation and learning.
More information about the project is available at tinyurl.com/SIGLA2026.
