Of safe workspaces and Augusto 1055 in the midst of the pandemic

International Corporate Plaza

Most of what we have been doing the past few months—becoming a plantito or plantita, or setting up your own gym at home—is geared towards one thing: keeping our mental and physical health in check during these times.

It’s not surprising that businesses are also following suit and adapting to this kind of change. There’s a shift towards incorporating health and wellness ideas to ensure that businesses will thrive in the new normal.

Take for example Megaworld’s “Healthy Building” initiative. Under this program, the next generation office buildings will feature amenities and design elements that will ensure the health and safety of occupants against viruses and other diseases, while still embracing sustainability.

I’ve been told that among the new structures that will soon be built and carry this standard is the 19-story International Corporate Plaza in Iloilo, where Megaworld is currently developing the city’s newest central business district.

Here, employees can take time to breathe and relax in the skygardens that are part of the overall structure. There will be two skygardens, both of which feature refreshing and tranquil views of the bustling cityscape, as well as the nearby Guimaras Island. Aside from these, there are also a lot of other sustainability features that will be part of the building’s design.

The building will also be surrounded by world-class hotels, a full-scale lifestyle mall, a contemporary art museum, said to be the first and the biggest of its kind in Visayas and Mindanao, and topnotch residential condominiums.

Even businesses, start-up companies, and established enterprises based in Metro Manila have been aware of this chance to expand their presence in Iloilo. Learning a thing or two from the lessons brought about by COVID-19, some of them have probably realized that their operations can still continue even if Metro Manila goes on lockdown for more than half a year by also being present elsewhere. That’s one way to keep both your workforce and your business healthy.

The ICP will feature amenities and design elements that will ensure the health and safety of occupants in the new normal.

ICP breakout area

Wooden wall art

Meanwhile, if you’re redesigning or refurbishing your home during this quarantine, you might want to check out Augusto 1055 and its exquisite wood furnishings that will surely be a perfect fit for your home.

Augusto 1055’s story began when its owners lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To pass time, the team decided to keep themselves busy with a few simple home projects, one of which involved replacing their six-decade-old main door.

Surprisingly, that beautiful thick kamagong wood used for the door was still in such a pretty good condition, making it difficult for the team to simply dispose of it. Augusto 1055 then toyed at the idea of creating something new—sort of a keepsake of the door that has seen the team through many significant milestones across several generations.

What became of that main door was an exquisite wall art piece built out of repurposed wood, cut and crafted painstakingly by hand—a legacy that can be handed down for generations to enjoy.

From that one art piece, the Augusto 1055 team saw an opportunity amid a challenging period. They decided to roll up their sleeves and started working on more versatile wooden wall art pieces—each a display of fine craftsmanship that exudes a warm, sophisticated vibe for your spaces.

Every installation is also unique and custom made.

“Our exquisite craftsmanship will remind people of the beauty of building from the rubble,” Augusto 1055 said. “We decided to use wood, which for us connotes growth, expansion and spring, while metal signifies determination, persistence and progress. Our creation is a mixture of these elements. We are focused on making the pieces powerful to ensure that they will add meaning and energy to your spaces.”

Augusto 1055 can customize designs, source wood or create a wall art from your own old wood materials that you don’t want to throw out just yet. Among the current designs on offer are Growth (44.5” x 52.25”), Forces (44.5” x 53”) and Tenacity (44.5” x 60”).

Current offerings of Augusto 1055

Every piece is unique and custom made.

Reclaimed wood finds new purpose as wall art.

Augusto 1055 can customize designs, source wood, or create wall art from your own old wood materials that you don’t want to throw out just yet.

For inquiries, you may reach Augusto 1055 at (0920) 9161286 or check out its Facebook (Augusto 1055) and Instagram (augusto_1055).