For decades, the standard SM mall design was a functional, air-conditioned box—efficient, pervasive, but largely without context. In the historic, sand-dune-framed city of Laoag, that formula has been decisively reimagined. Royal Pineda + designed SM Laoag as a proof of concept that true, high-quality, place-specific architecture is possible even under the stringent budget and commercial […]
Exploring the Designer-Inspired Interiors of Hotel 8
Tagaytay’s charm is one that stands the test of time. You won’t feel it however in massive structures that defy the city’s sense of place. Instead, you will discover it in places that respect and highlight the natural beauty of the land. Hotel 8, an 8-room boutique hotel perched by the ridge, offers a designer-inspired date with the view of Taal Volcano.
Standing at the same site of the Budji Layug and architect Royal Pineda-designed hotel called Domicillo, the original structure has been given new life through Hotel 8. Its creative director Pam Gonzalez Lopez saw the opportunity of the location – with its prime view of Taal lake – and the appeal of personal touches only a specialty boutique hotel can give. “The concept came naturally. With just eight rooms, the idea felt intimate and personal which set the tone for what Hotel 8 would become,” Lopez says.
Sonia Santiago Olivares & Associates, Inc. (SSOa), a pioneer interior design firm founded 48 years ago, was enlisted to do a total renovation of Hotel 8 which included architectural facades and interiors. Principal designer and creative director for SSOa, Maja Olivares-Co expounds on their design process, “We started with a vision to renovate the entire hotel and create five theme rooms of the favorite designers of [owners] Menchu Lopez alongside Pam Lopez of Hotel 8. This allows a guest to have a unique experience in staying in the different rooms.”
Advertisement
“My mother-in-law Menchu Lopez and I collaborated closely on the vision,” adds Lopez. “It was her idea to make the five rooms facing the lake our designer rooms, inspired by some of our favorite home and fashion brands.”
The five theme rooms all face Taal Lake with a spacious balcony to lounge in to take in the view. “The five distinct themes were inspired by the following designs by these designers: Josie Natori, Missoni, Marcel Wanders, Ralph Lauren and Mackenzie Childs,” adds Olivares-Co. “Expect yourself to be put in a totally different mood by staying in the various theme rooms. One thing is sure: every room has a spectacular panoramic view of Taal volcano and lake.”
Discover the designer-themed rooms of Hotel 8 by ordering your copy of BluPrint Volume 2, 2025 at Sari Sari Shopping, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are also available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Advertisement
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.
Photographed by Jar Concengco
Read more: Creek House: A Topography of Calm
The modern corporate workplace is often synonymous with rigid, rectilinear forms—a sterile grid of glass and steel. However, at the intersection of Zhuhai and Macao, designer Kris Lin and his team at Kris Lin International Design have deliberately rejected this corporate norm. The Stream Office, a new business highland cover, is an architectural and interior […]
Advertisement
Designed by ISHIKAWASAMBO, in collaboration with Atelier Implexe, IWADO BASE is an outdoor facility that brings nature and people together. Tucked within a UNESCO Global Geopark, the owner envisioned revitalizing the region through an attractive complex that would reimagine the outdoor experience. Ryo Ishikawa and Mars Sambo, the duo behind the architecture firm responsible for […]
The foundational dialogue between architecture and art—a synergy that shapes our physical and cultural environments—is at the heart of our first ever BluPrint Art issue. This special edition celebrates the deep-rooted, evolving connection between the two disciplines. With the expert guidance of guest editor Miguel Rosales, the issue explores how this convergence produces spaces that […]
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 […]
Advertisement
Tucked in the coastal municipality of Bongao is a piece of paradise called Bihing Tahik. While resorts dot the coastline of Tawi-Tawi, it easily stands out for the unique silhouette that complements the natural beauty of its surrounds. At the heart of its design is the owners’ vision to connect the space with nature and […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]