Cover Barchan + Architecture emphasises that collaboration is a cornerstone of the firm’s values, with each team member having an important role in the pursuit of unique and creative design.
Barchan + Architecture emphasises that collaboration is a cornerstone of the firm’s values, with each team member having an important role in the pursuit of unique and creative design.
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Look back at some of the impressive works of architect couple Jason and Nikki Buensalido with ‘Shifting Sands’, a limited-edition coffee table book, and see how this award-winning firm is braving the future
After 18 years of original and innovative design solutions, the award-winning architecture firm Buensalido + Architects released a limited-edition coffee table book titled Shifting Sands. Accompanying the launch is the company’s much-anticipated rebranding.
Now called Barchan Architecture, the firm derives its name from the term for crescent-shaped dunes found in deserts—dunes that exist without the use of natural resources and are shaped only by nature.
“The barchan symbolises our belief in architecture shaped by context. Like barchans, our designs tell stories of nature and human aspiration, preserving memories and enabling new legacies,” shared its founder, Architect Jason Buensalido.
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Above Associate Architect for Culture and Lead Project Architect Arch. Cholo Ramirez, Associate Architect for Design and Lead Project Architect Arch. Jerome Bautista, VP of Admin, Finance, and Culture Arch. Nikki Boncan-Buensalido, and Chief Design Ambassador and Founder Arch. Jason Buensalido, and VP of Operations & Associate Architect Arch. Ems Eliseo spearhead Barchan + Architecture as it makes a collective step into a new era of architectural design.
Associate Architect for Culture and Lead Project Architect Arch. Cholo Ramirez, Associate Architect for Design and Lead Project Architect Arch. Jerome Bautista, VP of Admin, Finance, and Culture Arch. Nikki Boncan-Buensalido, and Chief Design Ambassador and Founder Arch. Jason Buensalido, and VP of Operations & Associate Architect Arch. Ems Eliseo spearhead Barchan + Architecture as it makes a collective step into a new era of architectural design.
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Founded in 2006, Buensalido + Architects introduced fresh concepts to the local architecture scene. Schemes such as the CIIT Philippines campus and the resilient Smart Home project in Marikina are a testament to their forward-thinking approach to design. Today, the firm celebrates the evolution of its design practice into a team effort.
Architect Buensalido, alongside Barchan’s key partners—vice president of admin, finance, and culture, Architect Nikki Boncan-Buensalido; vice president of operations and associate architect Ems Eliseo; associate architect for design and lead project architect Jerome Bautista; and associate architect for culture and lead project architect Cholo Ramirez—continue to elevate their standards as they explore new ways to express culture in architecture and improve lives through innovative styles.
“We’re proud of what we did at Buensalido + Architects, and since 2006, with the support of our partners, architects, and clients, we have grown into a structured architectural design collective… With plans to continue to push the envelope here at home and take on projects beyond the Philippines, we embrace a new name,” Buensalido said.
Above Shifting Sands includes a captivating series of insightful narratives and images illustrating how Barchan + Architecture embraces authenticity, altruism, aspiration, and advancement.
Shifting Sands includes a captivating series of insightful narratives and images illustrating how Barchan + Architecture embraces authenticity, altruism, aspiration, and advancement.
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The firm’s new coffee table book is a milestone that marks its new identity and design philosophy—with sustainability at the forefront. With the foreword written by National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera, written by Edson Cabalfin and designed by branding firm Design for Tomorrow, Shifting Sands explores Barchan Architecture’s long journey of authenticity, altruism, aspiration, and advancement through vivid imagery and insightful narratives.
“This book embodies our new identity as Barchan and serves as a reflection on past achievements and challenges, representing a step forward for all of us together. It reaffirms our commitment to addressing Filipino identity in architecture amidst evolving projects and clients,” shared Eliseo.
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Credits
Images: Barchan Architecture
About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
