Bihing Tahik Resort: A Toast to Local Culture
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Of late, the number of new structures that combine the sensibilities of art with the precision of construction are increasing rapidly. As nations continue to battle the uncertainties of the future as presented by the mayhem caused by Covid-19, art offers a resting harbor for tired spirits. The importance of architecture in our daily lives has never been more definite, as shown by the design of Bihing Tahik resort.
Deo Alrashid Alam certainly knows the importance of art and culture, especially in these trying times. As the founder of design firm DADA, he envisions the cities of tomorrow to be built upon the enriching ideas of art. “DADA is a company that aims to cultivate the future of architecture as a form of art,” he says. “We conceptualize and develop sustainable, practical, economical, and adaptable architecture designs,” he continues.
As a native of Mindanao, Alam possesses an understanding of the region’s culture and other trademarks, which can be seen in the design approaches of DADA for Bihing Tahik and other developments in the region.
For Bihing Tahik, a resort located in the coastal municipality of Bongao, the capital of Tawi-Tawi, cultural identity is central to the overall theme. As the area is inhabited by the Sama Badjaus or the Sea Gypsies of the Sulu and Celebes Seas, these people are regarded as expert fishermen, deep-sea divers, and navigators. Built into the fabric of their belief is the role of the sea in the concept of life. Meaning “By The Sea,” Alam found his fitting inspiration in the elements of the open waters—the giant clams which are regarded as the “jade of the sea.” “Following the smooth curves of the hardy clam’s shell, the design for Bihing Tahik is a representation of its exterior strength and the equal marvel that is situated inside,” says Alam. “There is also a belief that clams possess the power to heal so it’s like infusing the design with healing properties,” he adds.
Out of the 12 species of giant clams found in the coral triangle, eight can be found in the Philippines. As the existence of these sea creatures is continuously being threatened as evidenced by its sharp decline over the years, Bihing Tahik also aims to put to fore an awareness towards its protection and conservation. Through intensive research, the team can come up with this composition that is perfect for the region’s tropical climate.
To learn more about the design and construction of Bihing Tahik, click on the link to BluPrint’s latest e-mag issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bihing Tahik resort is located in the coastal municipality of Bongao, which serves as the capital of Tawi-Tawi in the Philippines. The geographic location heavily influences the property’s design, grounding it in the maritime environment of the Sulu and Celebes Seas.
Architect Deo Alrashid Alam, the founder of the design firm DADA, is the creative mind behind Bihing Tahik resort. As a Mindanao native, Alam utilizes his cultural background to develop sustainable, practical, and adaptable architecture that honors regional identities.
The name Bihing Tahik translates directly to “By The Sea” in the local dialect. This name reflects the lifestyle of the indigenous Sama Badjau people, or Sea Gypsies, who reside in the area and consider the ocean essential to their concept of life.
The architecture of Bihing Tahik reflects local culture by mimicking the natural, smooth curves of the giant clam shell. This indigenous marine creature represents exterior strength and internal marvel, mirroring the traditional healing beliefs and maritime navigation heritage of the Sama Badjau people.
Bihing Tahik resort promotes the protection and conservation of endangered giant clams native to the Coral Triangle. By integrating the clam’s biology into its tropical climate engineering, the design actively raises awareness about the sharp decline of these critical marine species.
