Local design firm bags award at prestigious tilt

The layout used a palette of achromatic blend of soft greys, white, black and various shades of neutral.

Condo apartment living often presents the complex challenge of limited space.

But through an ingenious design by the award-winning Adefuin Design Studio (ADS), one domestic space became a gleaming example of how Filipino interior design has reached the next level of international style and modern luxury functionality.

After competing against the best property professionals across the Asia Pacific region, ADS has won a highly coveted Asia Pacific Property Award in the Interior Design Apartment category for its project “32 Manila ORT.”

ADS’ portfolio is the only entry from the country that passed the judges’ mark.

The independent judging panel, composed of 70 industry experts, was chaired by Lord Caithness, Lord Best, The Earl of Liverpool, Lord Thurso, and members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament.

Judging focuses on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

Now on its 26th year, the Asia Pacific Property Awards celebrates the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property industry. It is deemed the largest, most prestigious, and widely recognized program throughout the regions.

The awarding ceremonies were held in Bangkok, Thailand.

IDr. Jigs Ranada Adefuin is a principal interior designer and managing partner at ADS.

Modern apartment

The winning submission, a design project for a full renovation of a 320-sqm condominium unit, incorporated a design style called “tactile modern.”

Unlike a lot of modern designs that can be cold and impersonal, tactile modern’s sleek lines and geometry are augmented by plush comfort.

The design’s sharp edges are soothed by the restraint and pleasance of elemental materials and textures, according to IDr. Jigs Ranada Adefuin, principal interior designer and managing partner at ADS.

“The 32 Manila ORT project was borne out of the impetus to create something new. This ‘newness’ was spurred by a desire not just to innovate and modernize—it was inflamed with a yearning to produce something present and international,” Adefuin said.

Creative process

Emphasizing on symmetry and streamline throughout the creative process, the layout used a palette of achromatic blend of soft greys, white, black and various shades of neutral.

This color scheme brought the perfect amount of fluidity and versatility, thus allowed for subtle pops in the artwork and decor.

Colored glass, walnut wood veneer, silver travertine, and stainless steel detailing allowed for a play on textures.

To highlight clients’ consummate love for Philippine art and hosting, Adefuin used an open layout design that both combined and set apart the living and dining areas.

The clients’ artworks, mostly paintings by Filipino masters, are meticulously curated around the space, while the baby grand piano rests beautifully between the living and the dining area, which is adorned with a dark maple 12-seater Giorgetti dining table. Ringed by solid oak chairs, the table is crowned by a fine wave of Venini Murano glass crystals.

For the master bedroom, Adefuin’s vision can only be described as a “personal five-star hotel room.”

To achieve this, Adefuin uses high quality and high end furniture pieces, like the king-sized bed by Poltrona Frau with a tufted leather headboard, resting on an accent wall framed in a walnut wood veneer with a dark wengue and stainless steel strip finish.

For the master bedroom, Adefuin’s vision can be described as a “personal five-star hotel room.”

Design excellence

ADS is one of the country’s most reputable design studios, specializing in high end residential, luxury hospitality, and commercial interiors.

With a core team of highly professional and creative designers, architects, and artists, ADS’ commitment is to seek cost-effective design solutions that best fit clients’ tastes and personal lifestyles.

ADS strongly adheres to strict quality standards and uses the latest licensed design software and the finest of materials and furnishings.

This is to ensure that clients are provided ethical and reliable services—handled capably from conceptualization, rendition, to project completion and final turnover.

ADS’s principal designer Jigs Ranada Adefuin is a multi-awarded and talented young Filipino interior designer whose professional background highlights 20 years of industry experience.