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 […]
Aivee Skin Spa: Glow Up
The Aivee Brand has been at the forefront of wellness and innovation since 2009, with the Aivee Skin Spa being the latest to join the label. Led by doctors Aivee Aguilar-Teo and Z Teo, Aivee Skin Spa aims to bring premium, dermatologist-designed care to a wider demographic. The design of their new spa mirrors this goal through large curved walls and organic materials with the intent to be more relaxing and approachable.
The brand worked with longtime collaborator Singapore-based Malcolm Chua, co-founder and design director of AVID Design Collective and Benjamin Kim, co-founder and creative director of Genius Loci, collectively known as AVID GL. “The client envisioned a sanctuary that embodies freedom, relaxation and understated luxury – an escape that feels intimate yet sophisticated,” says Chua. “Our approach was to translate this vision into a multi-sensory environment where spatial softness, natural materials, and elegant detailing create a seamless journey of calm and rejuvenation.”
A Place of Calm
Set inside a rectilinear glass enclosure, the Aivee Skin Spa embraces guests with curved walls that resemble monumental bases of Tuscan columns upon entering. A neutral palette was utilized to calm the eyes while the receptionist counter and door trims in rose gold puv stainless steel exude sophistication. To further heighten the holistic sensorial experience, subtle lighting and herbal scents are used.
“We wanted the space to feel like a sanctuary, not a clinic,” adds Teo. “The design had to reflect that balance between elegance and ease. Soft lighting, organic textures and calming tones invite clients to unwind while still being in a space that reflects professional credibility.”
Treatment rooms have a calming, whimsical ceiling treatment, perforated with small light reminiscent of a starry night sky. “The constellation-like lighting installation adds a poetic, celestial touch – evoking calm and wonder while providing soft, diffused illumination,” explains Chua.
Another Side of the Aivee Brand
Doctors Aivee and Z had to collaborate closely with AVID GL to realize a cohesive space that will resonate with their clients. “From the layout flow to the textures and even the curated scent – we were involved every step of the way. I’ve always believed that design is an extension of the brand’s voice and we wanted the Aivee Skin Spa to reflect the gentler, more nurturing side of what we do,” Aguilar-Teo says.
Teo chimes in, “We collaborated closely with the architects and interior designers to ensure every treatment room offered both privacy and comfort and that the overall flow would enhance – not disrupt – the client’s experience. For us, design is not just visual. It’s emotional and experiential.”
Spatial design and the smart use of materials are important factors in communicating your brand’s ethos. Aivee Skin Spa is a glowing example of this and it takes only one step inside to find out.
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Photographed by Jar Concengco
Frequently Asked Questions
The design prioritizes a sanctuary-like atmosphere over a clinical aesthetic by using large curved walls, organic materials, and a neutral palette. By replacing sharp angles with soft upholstery and rose gold accents, the space feels more approachable and relaxing, effectively bridging the gap between professional dermatological credibility and understated luxury.
Treatment rooms feature a whimsical ceiling treatment perforated with small lights to mimic a starry night sky. This constellation-like installation provides soft, diffused illumination that evokes a sense of calm and wonder, ensuring that the visual environment contributes to the guest’s emotional and physical rejuvenation during their skin procedures.
The architects utilized a combination of neutral-toned organic textures and high-end metallic finishes, such as rose gold stainless steel for the receptionist counter and door trims. These elements work together to create a multi-sensory environment that reflects the brand’s nurturing side while maintaining a polished, premium aesthetic that resonates with their wide demographic.
Doctors Aivee Aguilar-Teo and Z Teo collaborated closely with AVID GL to ensure the layout flow maximized both privacy and comfort. Their involvement extended beyond the visual design to include curated scents and tactile textures, ensuring the final spatial arrangement serves as a direct emotional extension of their professional brand’s voice.
Upon entering the rectilinear glass enclosure, guests are immediately greeted by monumental curved walls that resemble the bases of Tuscan columns. This architectural choice serves to embrace the visitor, signaling an immediate transition from the outside world into an intimate, sophisticated escape defined by spatial softness and a quiet, calming atmosphere.
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