Meet the winners of the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2026 in the Philippines

The design of the house itself is a dialogue between disciplines, blending the stately elegance of Palladian architecture rooted in a Filipino design style with a sweeping cogon roof. Its name, “Tuktugaok”, is the Cebuano word for a rooster’s morning crow. Now, the house has become the family’s vibrant country sanctuary, a place of endless warmth for celebrations and mundane moments alike. 

While Aboitiz’s initial wish was simply for space and land, her Cebuano husband’s affinity for the ocean naturally drew the couple to the coast. They furnished the spaces during a golden, bygone era in Cebu, when local rattan factories still operated their brilliant showrooms before migrating overseas. Referring to when the home was built, Aboitiz notes, “It was an exciting time of design exploration, where every day felt like an excursion into local craftsmanship.”

In a world that often prioritises monochrome conformity, designers who utilise colour are shifting the tide. Colour is a powerful narrative tool that shapes emotional experience and spatial storytelling. The groundbreaking designers who understand this transformative potential harness colour’s psychological impact to transport visitors beyond the ordinary, creating immersive environments where hues serve as vehicles for imagination. Nazareno/Lichauco demonstrates this mastery at the Ang Katawan Ko Exhibit in Museo Pambata.

Designed by Rita Nazareno and Gabriel Lichauco, the exhibit is among the celebrations of Museo Pambata for its 30th anniversary. The revitalisation of this space harnesses a bold visual language with the use of vibrant colour and whimsical imagery. Bursting vibrant hues drawn from the pop art tradition work in concert with abstraction and playful form to transform the body’s complex systems into an immediately inviting world for young visitors. 

Each colour choice is purposeful in intuitively guiding children through the space, sparking curiosity and delight, turning what could be clinical subject matter into an immersive celebration of the human form. 

Working with Wyeth Nutrition and Museo Pambata, this long-standing exhibit by Nazareno/Lichauco features interactive sections that teach kids about body parts such as the heart, lungs, brain, bones and muscles. One notable feature is the Brain Corner, which focuses on four milestones of brain development, including focus, memory, language and problem-solving. In the Bones and Muscle section, children gain a deeper understanding of how they grow and maintain a healthy body mass index. With this unique blend of information and entertainment, the revamped exhibit is sure to bring joy to Filipinos of all ages.

The best spaces elevate art beyond mere decoration, transforming the soul of a room through intentional curation. The designers who master this discipline understand that every piece must serve a purpose beyond the aesthetic. In their own way, they weave together cultural history, personal memory and artistic excellence into a reflective environment.

The award for this category goes to art curator Miguel Rosales of Caramel Inc and Shang Robinsons Properties Inc for Aurelia Residences in Bonifacio Global City. This sprawling space offers a sophisticated retreat that complements the city’s dynamic energy.

A joint venture between Shang Properties and Robinsons Land Corporation, Aurelia Residences comprises only 285 bespoke residences. Designed by the globally renowned Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), with interiors by acclaimed Italian design firm FM Architettura and landscape architecture by PLA, the development is distinguished by its iconic three-petal architectural form, gracefully dividing the tower into three wings to maximise privacy, natural light and panoramic views.

The space features a collection of over 50 artworks by celebrated Filipino and international artists. The collection is anchored by signature works such as Islas by Bea and Marga Valdes, the monumental woven staircase by Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco, large-scale textile-inspired works by Francis Dravigny, contemplative abstractions by Gus Albor and a striking contemporary art piece by Lenore RS Lim. It is further enriched by works from Rico Lascano, Kristian Somera, Glenn Perez, Eddie Santillan, Anton Quisumbing, Rick Hernandez, Pradora, Gil Corcuera, Cobie Cruz, Rey Ejanda, Veronica Louise, Jill Paz and other distinguished artists throughout the property’s shared spaces.

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A tastemaker has honed their sense of aesthetic values over time, ensuring that they engage in unique design choices for each space they inhabit. Their level of influence extends to those around them, inspiring them to live creatively. In the world of design, few understand the delicate balance between beauty and purpose as intimately as Tina Ocampo.

Her unexpected foray into the world of interior design started with tablescaping for the homes of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) members. Over the years, she built her name as a model before founding a series of Filipino retail and accessories labels. They include The Black Shop, Anonymous, i2i Eyewear and Celestina, the bag line that carried Philippine craftsmanship onto international shelves.

“It’s always been a passion to rearrange my objects at home; it was a seamless leap from the colours, textures and trends of fashion,” she muses.

What sets her approach apart is her repurposing what she has already found in the space. This refreshing take on design minimises overconsumption, allowing the space to breathe with the memory and weight of each piece.

Now, Ocampo spends most of her time at the School of Fine Arts (SoFA), taking interior design lessons to build her confidence and competence for future projects. “I know all the more how to point out what has to change, all while working around the clients’ habits and preferences in real time.”

Sustainable design transcends environmental responsibility, embodying a profound respect for place that harmonises human habitation with natural ecosystems. True luxury emerges not from excess, but from thoughtful integration with the landscape, celebrating local craftsmanship while oscillating between development and conservation.

The winner for this category is Karrivin Plaza by Mara Coson. This art and design compound in Makati has been home to many kinds of spaces: art galleries, restaurants, cafes, shops, studio spaces, places of all sorts and in between. Started in 2016 as just a small shop-lined passageway called The Alley, the Karrivin concept has grown to take over the entire BDO-owned property comprising three buildings and enormous talisay trees.

Over time, Karrivin tenants have become familiar names that people love going back to: Toyo Eatery, now among the best restaurants in the Philippines and in Asia, started here and grew with Inato, AzukiToyo and a morning crowd favourite, Panaderya Toyo. Metiz, a restaurant of high regard, started here and then spun off Automat, Cutie Pie and Josephine. Galleries include The Drawing Room and Artinformal. Places that live off the exploration of Philippine produce like Ritual, Lost Islands Centre for Kape (LICK) and Kalsada Coffee have emerged as well.

Finally, Karrivin Plaza features spaces that shine because they’re hard to define: Aphro, WhyNoT, Archivo 1984 and Under Maintenance; and other fun spaces in between such as the Moment Group headquarters, Casa Bella and more. All combined, and ten years later, the people behind these spaces and the people who have been here have created what Karrivin is, even if what that is might always be a little hard to explain and may be better just enjoyed.

Showroom design transcends mere product display, becoming a compelling narrative for people to dream of the next chapter of their lives. The designers who excel in this discipline understand that effective showrooms maintain elegance and warmth, becoming a canvas for the breadth of human experience.

The newly unveiled Parklinks Experience Center by JJA Bespoke and Paloma Urquijo Zobel De Ayala now stands amid the bustling corridor between Pasig and Quezon City. Beyond a traditional showroom, acclaimed interior designer JJ Acuña has created a sophisticated expression of Filipino artistry. 

For this collaboration between Eton Properties Philippines and Ayala Land, Acuña turned to local craftsmen and hand-worked materials to reimagine “Philippine design renaissance,” weaving heritage detailing and artisanal texture into the milestones of everyday living.

The three-bedroom model unit at Parklinks South Tower, also styled by Acuña, extends this narrative further. Here, each room establishes the most intentionally curated interiors, which blend cultural memory with contemporary flair. 

Set within an estate that gives over half its land to gardens and riverside green space, Acuña’s interiors dissolve the boundaries of its interiors, creating communion with snapshots of the Philippines’ verdant biodiversity. Residents will also have access to such amenities as the Central Park and River Park Terraces. Another notable feature of the estate is the Parklinks Bridge, an arch spanning across the Marikina River with dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians to create a thriving community.

Innovation transcends technological advancement, embodying the courage to challenge fundamental assumptions about how spaces should be conceived and experienced. Still, breaking conventional patterns requires not just creative vision but deep understanding of human movement, natural systems and the relationship between built form and environmental response.

The winner of this category, SCSY and Rchitects Inc, demonstrates this philosophy at the South Palms Resort & Spa. Set on the powder-soft shores of Panglao Island in Bohol, South Palms Resort & Spa is a climate-responsive, environmentally conscious hospitality development. The design positions the lobby at the highest point of the site, with a panoramic overview of the sea, before guests descend gradually through a village-like maze of bungalow-style blocks and landscaped paths.

Along the corridors, continuous hand-painted murals by local artists introduce a layered narrative. Structured around three themes of Harvest, Nature and Culture, these artworks draw inspiration from the traditional tattoos of Bohol’s indigenous communities.

Nearly 5,000 square metres of reclaimed timber, sourced from typhoon-damaged boats and houses collected by the owner, line the walls and frame the sliding screens of every guest bedroom. Buri palm raffia, traditionally hand-loomed into Saguran cloth by Boholano artisans, covers ceilings and joinery across the resort.

Sustainability consultants XCO2 Energy embedded a passive-first environmental framework from the outset, orienting buildings to capture prevailing winds and natural daylight. Detailed energy modelling informed improvements across building envelopes, high-performance glazing, insulation, lighting systems, advanced cooling technologies and solar thermal generation.

This brand-new category honours the furniture pieces that push the boundaries of sensory engagement. More than functionality, these pieces create moments of wonder, connection and emotion, turning every space they are in into an unforgettable memory.

From the very first glance, the unique doors of Cabinet 01 by Brian Ver for Tahanan Furniture inspire a deep appreciation for Filipino craftsmanship. A grid of intricate, hand-carved pyramids covers both panels, paired with darker rectangular accents throughout.

At the centre of both doors, stone handles fit the cabinet, contrasting with the carved wood and sharper edges that surround it. These handles are sourced and shaped individually, so no two pieces are exactly alike.

This type of carving is created using a traditional technique called dukit. Betis, Pampanga, where this technique started, has been the woodcarving centre of the Philippines for centuries. The woodcarvers here learnt the age-old craft from elder artisans. A modern nod to the colonial aparador, the stately hardwood wardrobe used for storage, this cabinet uses woodworking to create something more contemporary.

Inside, the cabinet works as a bar, with a shelf for liquor bottles and rivets to hold wine glasses upside down. Alternatively, the interior can be customised to hold books, clothing and more. The piece is built from a choice of beech, ash, rosewood or walnut, with finishes available in charcoal, white oak, cherry or walnut, making it the most flexible and sleek addition to any living room.

Architecture transcends mere spatial function, embodying the dynamic interplay of textures, materials and cultural narratives. The architects who dare to push creative boundaries discover unexpected ways to work with diverse elements. The winner of this category is the Gallery House, designed by PXP Design Workshop.  

True responsive design is never merely about aesthetics; it requires creative, often rigorous approaches to navigating a project’s existing structural limitations. In the renovation of the Gallery House, the design philosophy emerged organically from utilising the building’s structural columnation as a primary visual anchor.

By methodically redistributing solid volumes against carefully considered negative spaces, the architecture achieves a rhythmic quality that is immediately legible at first glance. While this design principle is often overlooked in residential renovations, its integration here creates a profound impact, fundamentally altering the structure’s first impression.

The façade of the house was strategically extended outward, a move that does more than just balance the proportions of the structure; it crafts a far more profound and inviting entry experience. This architectural gesture prominently defines the house, serving as the namesake for the project: the “Gallery.” Beyond its literal meaning, referencing a colonnade that remains open on one side, the title perfectly encapsulates the owner’s deep-seated adoration for curating and displaying fine art. The house itself becomes a canvas, where light and structure converge.

Through an elaborate choreography of material shifts, patterns and deliberate furniture orientation, the reimagined design elevates this provincial home into a refined, contemporary living space. A unique brief, which called for the total rewriting of an existing architectural concept, defines the final form of this residence. Carefully crafted lines, laid out against honest materials and refined spatial elements, have remastered this private residence.

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