Organized biennially by the Design Center of the Philippines, the Good Design Award Philippines (GDA) champions a distinctly Filipino approach to design rooted in malasakit (caring). It posits that good design goes beyond balancing form, function, and innovation—it creates meaningful solutions that respond to society’s most pressing challenges. The awards also advances the United Nations […]
BluPrint Homes: A New Era of Conscious Living
A new vision for design and living makes its debut as BluPrint Homes launches its maiden issue, dedicated to exploring “The New Era of Conscious Living.” This magazine embraces a holistic approach to design, focusing on concepts that excel not only in function and beauty but also prioritize sustainability and ethical considerations.
For its first issue, BluPrint Homes presents two distinct covers. The first features “Stillness by the Sea,” a stunning family beach house in Batangas, designed to be a tranquil sanctuary. The home intentionally uses repurposed pieces and local Filipino materials like cogon grass and runo reeds, reflecting the owners’ desire for a space that feels lived-in and “grows old gracefully”.
The second cover showcases the magazine’s banner story, “The Essence of Conscious Living,” a unique vision born from a landmark collaboration between renowned furniture brand Ethan Allen and three of Manila’s top interior designers: IDr. Rossy Rojales, IDr. Tet Tiu-Alano, and IDr. Joliza Tan. Moving against the tide of fast trends, this partnership set out to create exceptional vignettes that connect to Ethan Allen’s core ethos of impeccable quality and craftsmanship.
A Look Inside
Beyond its covers, the magazine offers a rich and immersive experience, delving into spaces that tell profound stories. In “A House Built with Grace,” readers are welcomed into Casa Elena, an architect’s heartfelt tribute to his late wife in Quezon City. What began as a plan for a retirement home evolved into a legacy of love, where nature-integrated design, sustainable features, and honest materiality converge with deeply personal memories.
The CONDO LIVING section features “Intentional Maximalism,” a tour of creative director Vince Uy’s ever-evolving Makati apartment. His home is a living narrative, a curated abundance of stories, colors, and textures that shift in step with his life’s journey. It’s a space filled with cultural mementos from travels, an art collection supporting young local artists, and rooms that transform to suit a more relaxed pace of life.
In ARTS & CULTURE, “A Collection That Speaks to the Soul” introduces a passionate cake designer and art collector who has transformed his four-story Quezon City apartment into a personal gallery. Driven by a love for monochrome works that he finds “nostalgic, beautiful, dramatic; you know, very serene,” the home was designed around the art itself. The story explores his philosophy of collecting: to buy what you love, regardless of trends, because you have to enjoy what you live with every day.
The FEATURE section offers “Archival Sensations,” an exploration of how timeless design is reinterpreted for modern interiors. The article delves into the concept of “restrained opulence,” showing how mixing pieces from different eras—blending the contemporary with the traditional—can create a home that feels both timeless and deeply personal through the art of storytelling.
This premier volume marks an evolution for the brand, introducing a larger framework that encompasses interior design, arts, and culture. As Fuster notes, the magazine’s mission is to present visual beauty backed by substance, celebrating the joy found in thoughtful design, entertaining, and styling.
With a clear emphasis on individuality, good taste, and soulful living, BluPrint Homes embarks on its journey to celebrate the art of a beautiful life.
Head over to sarisari shopping, Shopee, and Lazada to order your copy today. E-magazines are also available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Dive into the captivating world of architecture, interiors, and arts & culture by getting exclusive digital access to BluPrint’s past and upcoming issues. Click here to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The “New Era of Conscious Living” represents a holistic shift in design that prioritizes individuality, sustainability, and ethical considerations over fast-moving trends. It focuses on creating spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also soulful and “lived-in,” allowing a home to grow old gracefully. This philosophy encourages homeowners to select materials and pieces that reflect their personal stories and support local craftsmanship, ensuring the home remains a meaningful sanctuary.
BluPrint Homes highlights the use of repurposed pieces and indigenous Filipino materials like cogon grass and runo reeds, as seen in the “Stillness by the Sea” beach house. These choices reduce environmental impact while rooting the architecture in its local context. By using materials that age naturally, the design embraces “honest materiality,” where the physical substance of the home contributes to a sense of tranquility and permanence.
As showcased in the feature on Vince Uy’s Makati apartment, “Intentional Maximalism” is the curated abundance of stories, textures, and colors that reflect a resident’s personal journey. Unlike cluttered spaces, this approach focuses on a meaningful collection of cultural mementos and art that supports local creators. It demonstrates how a small urban space can be transformed into a living narrative that evolves alongside the owner’s changing pace of life.
The magazine introduces the concept of “Archival Sensations” and “restrained opulence” to guide homeowners in blending different eras. This involves mixing timeless, traditional pieces with modern elements to create a space that feels personal rather than showroom-perfect. The key is the art of storytelling—using furniture and decor from various periods to create a cohesive interior that feels both sophisticated and deeply connected to the owner’s history.
According to the featured collector in the Arts & Culture section, the best approach is to buy what you love regardless of market trends. Collecting should be a soulful pursuit focused on works that evoke personal emotions—such as nostalgia or serenity—rather than investment potential. By designing rooms around the art itself, the collection becomes a “monochrome narrative” that speaks to the soul, ensuring the homeowner enjoys their surroundings every day.
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Architecture awards often document more than just individual achievements. They also recognize the work, effort, and vision behind any architecture project, revealing the priorities, values, and trajectories of a profession at a given moment. The United Architects of the Philippines’ (UAP) Outstanding and Beyond Recognition Awards (OBRA) continues to serve as one such marker, recognizing […]
For 66 years, the Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) has been at the forefront of preserving modern and contemporary Philippine art. Today, its home at Areté reflects an expanded mission: to extend beyond exhibitions to cultivating education and creative exchange. Building a Home for Contemporary Art The AAG was founded in 1960 after artist, collector, and […]
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