ARTISTRY AND DESIGN

Meet seven architects and designers bringing much-needed vibrancy to the creative industry with their fresh ideas driven by passion and hardwork

- Jessica Zapata and Angela Nicole Guiral

MIKO DE LOS REYES Architect

What first sparked your interest in architecture?

My mother, Pinky, is a practising architect and interior designer. She gave me my earliest memories of and exposure to design and architecture. Additionally, I was always inspired by my travels in general. Seeing and experiencing spaces worldwide fed my imagination and fuelled my ideas.

What’s your favourite material to work with, and why?

Cement or concrete. It’s a commonly used building material in the Philippines, from high-end to low-end projects. Concrete is a chameleon—its quality and texture can change depending on the methodology of its incorporation into the design.

How can architecture contribute to a more sustainable future?

Sustainable architecture is not just about using “green” materials and technology that are regularly promoted. Sustainable design responds to its context and lasts the test of time. A building that needs minimal maintenance over a decade or more is sustainable in both an economic and an environmental sense since no additional materials or work are required during its years in use.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

My design aesthetic reinterprets traditional elements for a contemporary lifestyle. By integrating heritage-inspired materials, textures and classic details with modern functionality and clean, minimalist lines, I create spaces rooted in history and suited for present-day living.

If you could design any structure anywhere in the Philippines, what would it be and why?