Cover Barchan + Architecture received the Best Commercial Building Design award at the 2025 Asia Architecture Design Awards (AADA) for The Terraces at Dao, a 3,100-square-meter head office and warehouse for an entertainment equipment rental company in Marikina City
Barchan + Architecture received the Best Commercial Building Design award at the 2025 Asia Architecture Design Awards (AADA) for The Terraces at Dao, a 3,100-square-meter head office and warehouse for an entertainment equipment rental company in Marikina City
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Explore how this Filipino architecture firm gained regional recognition, including an award for their culturally-inspired commercial project The Terraces at Dao
In a landmark achievement for Philippine architecture, Barchan + Architecture has been crowned Asia's Best Firm in Architecture Design at the prestigious 2025 Asia Architecture Design Awards (AADA), establishing the Filipino contemporary architecture firm as a regional powerhouse in innovative design excellence. The coveted recognition comes alongside another significant honour: Barchan + Architecture's selection as Asia's Best Commercial Building Architecture Design for their remarkable project, The Terraces at Dao.
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Above In the photo, you can see the team behind Barchan + Architecture. Jason Buensalido, principal architect and chief design ambassador; Nikki Boncan-Buensalido, vice president of culture, finance, and civic Affairs, design ambassador; Ems Eliseo, vice president of operations, associate architect, design ambassador; Jerome Bautista, associate architect, design ambassador; Cholo Ramirez, lead project architect and design ambassador
In the photo, you can see the team behind Barchan + Architecture. Jason Buensalido, principal architect and chief design ambassador; Nikki Boncan-Buensalido, vice president of culture, finance, and civic Affairs, design ambassador; Ems Eliseo, vice president of operations, associate architect, design ambassador; Jerome Bautista, associate architect, design ambassador; Cholo Ramirez, lead project architect and design ambassador
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The Terraces at Dao, a 3,100-square-meter head office and warehouse complex in Marikina City, exemplifies Barchan + Architecture’s distinctive approach to contemporary design. The project masterfully weaves Filipino cultural elements into modern architectural language, creating spaces that are both functionally sophisticated and culturally resonant.
Barchan + Architecture’s design celebrates the vibrant spirit of Filipino culture through bold colour palettes and ingenious light manipulation techniques that evoke the festive energy of jeepneys and local fiestas. Most striking is the building’s series of curvilinear canopies that gracefully unify and connect the various structures across the site—a thoughtful homage to the iconic Banaue Rice Terraces that have shaped the Philippine landscape for centuries.
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Above The façade of CIIT (College of Arts and Technology) in Quezon City juxtaposes three main ideas that express the school’s values: sustainability, technology, and Filipino identity
Above The warehouse’s curved design was influenced by the road’s shape and adapted to neighbouring structures, while also preserving an existing Mango tree at the front
The façade of CIIT (College of Arts and Technology) in Quezon City juxtaposes three main ideas that express the school’s values: sustainability, technology, and Filipino identity
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AADA’s 2025 theme is “Vibrant Asia,” a concept that perfectly aligns with the Filipino design firm’s philosophy of balancing functionality and aesthetics. This theme serves as both a celebration of architectural excellence and a recognition of Asia’s growing influence in defining the future of global built environments.
The success of Barchan + Architecture also highlights the growing sophistication of Philippine architectural education and practice. As the country’s built environment continues to evolve, such design firms explore how local practices can engage with global architectural conversations while maintaining a distinct cultural voice.
AADA Winners’ Night will be held on July 25, 2025, at the Shilla Seoul Hotel in South Korea. This will provide an international platform for Barchan + Architecture to share its design philosophy and connect with architectural leaders across Asia. This visibility promises to open new opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
