How does one design the Filipino home? Budji Layug and Royal Pineda share their take on the design philosophies that has made BUDJI+ROYAL the quintessential architecture and design firm favoured by locals.
Earlier this September, designer Budji Layug and architect Royal Pineda went live with Nikki Gil-Albert and Brian Hontiveros on the first of a series of talks hosted by Modularity Homes. The two friends and founders of BUDJI+ROYAL shared their take on a variety of design topics inspired by both culture and current day events. Here are their hot takes on home, living, and design.
Read also: Home Tour: A 500-SQM Tropical Luxury Abode Designed By Budji + Royal
A Design For Communication
Filipino design and architecture have come a long way: from the simple nipa hut to the grandiose hacienda, it has now come to embody both modernity and globalisation. Of course, in 2020, it's difficult—if not impossible—to speak on design principles without considering the context. What are our homes all about? These days, designer Budji Layug says: it's all about maximising communication. "Right now, with the pandemic, people stay home most of the time," he observes. "So it's become more important that the home is worked out properly so you can maximise communication with your family and your friends." Spaces that bring people together, he says, has become a common request from clients. These include areas such as playrooms, libraries and the like.
Architect Royal Pineda also adds that because people have been spending so much time indoors, it's become important for people that their space is used efficiently to maximise functionality. It's no longer about décor or ostentatious displays, it's about the ability to be able to work well and live well in any given area.