Cover Alessandra de la Fuente and Carla Bianca Lim of C. A. Design House
Alessandra de la Fuente and Carla Bianca Lim of C. A. Design House
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From construction site wanderings to intuitive floor plans, this duo designs with a rare blend of rigour and soul
Before she knew the word for it, Carla Bianca Lim wanted to be an architect. As a child, she would trail behind her father—“a frustrated architect himself”—on walks through nearby construction sites. All she could see were unfinished shells: raw concrete, rebar and rubble. But even then, she imagined light touching every surface and people moving through the space. “I vividly remember the excitement of imagining all the possibilities,” she says.
For Alessandra de la Fuente, the spark came later. In Year 10, her career adviser noted her interest in maths, physics and design technology, and casually suggested architecture. “That simple suggestion sparked consecutive summer internships when I’d visit Manila,” she recalls. One project that stayed with her: Melbourne’s Intercontinental Hotel, which transformed a narrow alley between two heritage buildings into a glass-covered lobby. “It showed me how architecture could breathe life into the old in an inventive yet respectful way.”
Now co-founders of Carla + Alessandra (C.A.) Design House, the two architects are known for their sensitivity to space, light and context. Their style is understated—natural materials, clean lines, simplicity with soul. They value process as much as product and believe architecture should reflect the people it's built for.
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What’s your favourite material to work with, and why?
Lim: I’ve always been into raw material palettes—exposing wood, concrete and stone in their most natural, tactile forms. Beyond being aesthetic anchors in a space, they have a quiet, grounding quality that feels almost therapeutic. I like pairing them with softer layers like clean surfaces, greenery or warm lighting to bring balance and warmth to the overall composition. And when detailed properly, they age beautifully and are fairly easy to maintain, which makes them even more rewarding to work with.
De la Fuente: I personally love working with wood. I love how versatile and expressive it is—it brings warmth, texture and a natural character that instantly makes a space feel grounded and inviting. Wood also has this incredible ability to age gracefully; it tells a story over time through its patina, grains and even its imperfections. I also like how it can be both structural and decorative, allowing for endless creativity whether you’re designing bold forms or subtle details.
How can architecture contribute to a more sustainable future?
We think architecture plays a huge role in shaping a more sustainable future. As designers, we’re not just creating spaces, we’re shaping how they interact with the environment and the people who use them over time. Through smart site planning, conscious material choices, passive design strategies and adaptive reuse, we can reduce a building’s footprint while making it last longer and work better. Sustainability, for us, isn’t just about ticking off boxes for certifications. It’s about designing spaces that are climate-responsive, resource-efficient and still feel good to live, work or gather in. Good architecture should be inspired but also be kind to the planet.
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What’s the most challenging aspect of bringing a design from concept to reality?
Definitely maintaining the integrity of the concept through all the practical layers of realisation. It’s essentially an umbrella of all the different factors that construction brings along. Once a design leaves the drawing board, it must navigate budget constraints, technical limitations, site conditions and a mix of stakeholder input—because everyone has something to say, and some voices carry more weight than others. We’ve learned that you really can’t please everyone.
There’s a fine line between creativity and constructability. We always try to protect the essence of the design, but we also know the value of staying adaptable and collaborative. That said, we find this part of the process rewarding—it pushes us to problem-solve creatively, and it often leads to solutions that are sharper, more intentional and more refined than the original idea.
Filipino architecture has a unique history. Which historical Filipino architect or architectural style has influenced you most and why?
We’d say Bobby Mañosa has been an influential figure in our design philosophy. He showed that modern architecture doesn’t have to abandon tradition—it can elevate it. We admire how he championed local materials, indigenous techniques and vernacular forms, while still creating spaces that felt fresh, grounded and timeless. His work reminds us that authenticity and innovation can coexist—and that there’s so much value in designing with a deep respect for culture and context.
If you could design any structure anywhere in the Philippines, what would it be and why?
Lim: I’d love to design a quiet, elevated space somewhere remote up north—open to light, wind and sky. A place for stillness, stargazing or simply looking out.
There’s something meaningful about designing for solitude. In a world that’s always on, I think we need more spaces that invite pause—where architecture holds space for reflection, not just activity. It would be simple, intentional and connected to its surroundings. Nothing loud—just something that lets nature and light take the lead.
De la Fuente: I would love to design a resilient community space—I think there’s so much potential in creating spaces that bring people together, especially in the Philippines where community is everything. I would want it to be context-sensitive, rooted in the local landscape, considerate to natural disasters and crafted with materials and techniques that feel familiar but in a contemporary way.
What’s the most important lesson in your architectural journey?
Lim: There are no real failures in this field—just lessons, and most of the time, they come when you least expect them. We’re constantly learning through projects, through people and in the quiet in-betweens of the process.
One important thing I still struggle with is knowing when to pause and appreciate the small wins. This field moves fast, and it’s easy to overlook the progress. But I’ve learned that reflection is part of the work too—it sustains us to keep doing this work with heart.
At the end of the day, it’s not about designing for recognition. It’s about creating spaces that feel honest, thoughtful and genuinely meant for the people who live in them.
De la Fuente: Patience and humility. Architecture constantly reminds me that good things take time—you can’t rush the process. We always try to share this mindset with our clients because projects naturally evolve. Challenges will come; things won’t always go as planned, but every obstacle is a chance to learn, adjust and make the design better. I’ve also learned that learning shouldn’t be kept to yourself. Sharing knowledge, whether with your team, peers or collaborators, helps elevate not just the project, but the practice of architecture as a whole.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
