Cover WTA with their installation of chocolate wrappers at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France
WTA with their installation of chocolate wrappers at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France
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For the first time in its history, France’s Festival des Architectures Vives welcomes a Philippine team, with WTA Architecture and Design Studio unveiling a powerful installation exploring chocolate, consumption and cultural identity
For the first time in the 19-year history of France’s Festival des Architectures Vives (FAV), a Philippine team will join the global conversation on contemporary architecture, creativity and public engagement. From June 10 to 15, 2025, WTA Architecture and Design Studio represented the country—and the entire Asian region—at this celebrated event in Montpellier, which welcomed over 13,000 visitors in 2024.
This year’s theme, La Gourmandise (“gluttony”/“indulgence”), invited architects to explore the sensory, symbolic and social dimensions of food. Rising to the challenge, WTA presents The Value of Chocolate. This visually striking and intellectually provocative installation peels back the layers of history, culture and capitalism behind one of the world’s most beloved treats.
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Above A closer look at WTA’s chocolate wrapper installation at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France
A closer look at WTA’s chocolate wrapper installation at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France
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WTA’s installation transforms the historic Hôtel de Griffy courtyard into an immersive space of contemplation. Hundreds of suspended chocolate bar wrappers flutter in midair, seemingly fragmented until visitors arrive at a precise vantage point. There, the wrappers align to reveal the image of a French two-euro coin. The illusion is both playful and profound, referencing childhood memories of golden chocolate coins while exposing the modern realities of the cocoa supply chain.
Above A different view of WTA’s chocolate wrapper installation at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France
Above A different view of WTA’s installation at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France
A different view of WTA’s chocolate wrapper installation at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France
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Before it became a supermarket staple, chocolate was once more valuable than gold, used as currency in Mesoamerica. However, as European and American demand increased, the supply chain became lopsided. This often left cocoa-producing nations in a precarious situation. WTA’s intervention encourages audiences to look beyond the surface and reflect on the systems that govern our everyday indulgences.
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Above From a new vantage point, WTA’s chocolate wrapper installation at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France, looks like a two-euro coin
From a new vantage point, WTA’s chocolate wrapper installation at the Festival des Architectures Vives 2025 in Montpellier, France, looks like a two-euro coin
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Each wrapper’s reflective surface offers a distorted mirror, prompting visitors to confront their roles as consumers. Complementing this message, the chocolate bars featured in the installation are sourced exclusively from a Filipino brand committed to ethical farming practices and sustainability, giving local industry and values a moment to shine on a global stage.
WTA’s participation is more than just a celebration of architectural ingenuity; it’s a powerful moment for Filipino representation in global dialogues around food, culture, and sustainability. As the only Asian exhibitor among ten selected teams, the project places Philippine creativity, storytelling and craftsmanship at the forefront of international design.
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Credits
Photography: Paul Kozlowski of photoarchitecture.com
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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.
