Your environment shapes you

The trend in today’s property development goes a notch higher as it takes a conscious effort in promoting sustainable development. After all, a built environment has to be in harmony with the natural setting in order to achieve sustainability.

True enough, Federal Land, Inc., the real estate arm of the Metrobank Group, together with Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) worked hand in hand to promote creativity and sustainability for the society’s holistic development.

Guided by the advocacy, “Your Environment Shapes You”, MBFI annually holds the Metrobank Arts & Design Excellence Competition in recognition of the country’s talented new artists and designers who espouse sustainability in their works.

For this common goal, Federal Land sponsored the 2008 MADE Interior Design Competition by offering residential units from its prestigious project – Bay Garden Palawan Tower.

Two finalists were chosen recently, and their designs were executed in the units of Bay Garden Palawan Tower, an upscale residential community located at the Metropolitan Park, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. corner EDSA Extension in Pasay City.

Adrian Del Monte, a Cebu-based designer, transformed one unit of Bay Garden Palawan into a cosmopolitan hut. Aptly named “Casita”, Adrian’s design is inspired by the traditional Filipino nipa hut. The interior space exudes warmth and simplicity. He utilized recycled materials such as car tires woven into a couch. Layers of woven pandan were used as wall accents. Other materials such as old coco shells, capiz, bamboo, buri and abaca adorned the 44-sqm, one-bedroom unit. These materials are combined with modern pieces of furniture. “Casita” is unique blend of the old and new, of the traditional and the modern.

It is simply amazing how one can transform old materials into a work of art.

April Rose Frigillana, an interior designer from Quezon City, believes that built and the natural environment are closely linked together and this can be best achieved through recycling. With her “Nature’s Links”, April enhanced the interiors of Bay Garden Palawan Tower by taking in second hand items and refurbishing them. Capiz windows, wood planks and balusters graced the living room and bedroom while an old sewing machine was recycled into a writing table. April also maximized use of natural lighting by using transparent surfaces. “Nature’s Links” created a “maaliwalas” (clear) atmosphere, making the unit an intimate but refreshing home.

April Rose Frigillina won the grand prize, while Adrian Del Monte took home the special award. They received a cash prize of P200,000 and P150,000, respectively.

Both designs, along with winners in the Painting, Sculpture and Architecture design categories, were showcased during the 2008 MADE Awards Night held at Le Pavillon in Metropolitan Park, along Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City recently.

For more information about the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence, call Metrobank Foundation at 898-8856 and look for Mark Alvario or Felipe Fernando III. For a scheduled visit at the Bay Garden Palawan, call 551-0888.