“In the world of architecture, every structure is an invitation for a conversation.” This guiding principle is exquisitely captured in BluPrint’s highly anticipated new book, “Design Conversations,” slated for release this month. This special publication commemorates a quarter-century of BluPrint’s dedication to architectural excellence, insightful dialogue, and the profound appreciation of the built environment, offering […]
Deo Alam: Weaving Tradition into Tomorrow’s Architectural Tapestry
In the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of global architecture, few practitioners navigate the delicate interplay between ancestral wisdom and avant-garde design with the finesse and conviction of Deo Alam. This Filipino architect has carved a distinct niche, referencing the past and actively weaving the rich, diverse threads of indigenous culture into the very fabric of modern structures.
Alam’s approach transcends stylistic affectation. It is a profound dialogue with heritage, a courageous challenge to normative building practices, and a quest to create spaces that are aesthetically striking, deeply meaningful, and often inherently sustainable. His firm, Deo Alrashid Alam Design Architecture (DADA), produces works that resonate with cultural identity while boldly envisioning the future. They aim to craft legacies, foster community, and ensure that the echoes of tradition find new voice in the language of contemporary design.
Audacious, Authentic Architecture
At the heart of Deo Alam’s architectural practice lies a philosophy that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. He describes his creative process as almost visceral, explaining how fragments of various shapes often came to him when he closes his eyes. These three-dimensional visions, which frequently kept him awake, compelled him to scramble for pen and paper and sketch these initially formless shapes into existence. This therapeutic practice of documenting his nightly insights later evolved into a foundational method that he was able to apply directly to his architectural work.
His designs are often described as audacious endeavors that push beyond conventional methods and aim to set new benchmarks for practice in the architecture design and build industry. Far from arbitrary, it stems from a courageous commitment to authenticity, particularly when integrating cultural heritage.
Alam firmly asserts that the integration of cultural heritage into design transcends mere aesthetics, warning that, “If you’re doing it just for style, then I don’t think that’s gonna work at all. You really have to study and understand, that way, when you come up with a design, it will be authentic.”
For him, weaving heritage into the fabric of contemporary architecture is a profoundly serious undertaking, far removed from the casual or unexamined adoption of cultural motifs. This seriousness is rooted in a deep-seated, almost reverent commitment to the heritage, history, and culture being referenced.
It requires delving deep into the nuances, meanings, historical contexts, and lived experiences that underpin the cultural expressions, rather than simply appropriating surface-level appearances. Such dedicated engagement involves extensive research, community consultation, and thoughtful introspection. Which, in Alam’s view, is the only path to achieving true authenticity so that heritage is not trivialized, misrepresented, or commodified. Instead, it is respectfully honored, thoughtfully translated, and given a meaningful new expression that resonates with its intrinsic values and contributes positively to its ongoing narrative.
Rooted in the South
Deo Alrashid Trevecedo Alam’s journey into architecture is as layered and compelling as his designs. Raised in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, a region teeming with diverse cultural narratives and rich artisanal traditions, Alam’s formative years were imbued with a unique sensibility. This early immersion in a multicultural environment would later become a cornerstone of his design philosophy, fostering an innate understanding of how space and identity intertwine.
He pursued his formal architectural education in Manila, graduating from Adamson University and earning his professional license in 2010. Alam then honed his skills under the mentorship of prominent figures in the Philippine architectural industry, including a significant tenure at Lor Calma and Partners.
During this period, he contributed to landmark projects such as the Philippines’ first science museum, The Mind Museum, and the Philippine pavilions for the 2008 Zaragoza Expo and the 2010 Shanghai Expo. These experiences provided him with a broad canvas, exposing him to large-scale, complex designs and the intricacies of translating creative concepts into tangible reality. It is from this foundation that Alam began to sculpt his distinct mark on the architectural world, leading to the founding of DADA.
Early in his career, one particular client encouraged him to embrace his roots and significantly shaped this philosophy. “She basically told me that I should draw from my heritage and actually bring that out,” he shares. “She was telling me that I should be proud and try to mix those types of architecture.”
This counsel resonated deeply and informed much of his later work. For Alam, it was a prompt to revisit the landscapes and cultural imprints of his childhood in Mindanao. He reexamined the traditional architectural forms he had grown up with: the elevated houses on stilts, the woven bamboo walls, the fluid spatial organization of indigenous dwellings that responded intelligently to climate and lifestyle. Instead of treating these as nostalgic memories or aesthetic references, he saw them as living frameworks—structures encoded with resilience, sustainability, and meaning.
The DADA Ethos
DADA is built on the idea that design can “challenge and stretch the possibilities of design context in the Philippines.” The firm aims to veer away from the conventional, infusing function with innovation, and breathing new life into traditional design models.
This involves a commitment to “cultivate the future of architecture as a form of art,” pushing creative boundaries while remaining grounded in principles of practicality and sustainability. The firm’s diverse portfolio—spanning institutional, commercial, residential, and even furniture design—reflects this dynamic approach.
Each project, regardless of scale, receives the same passionate attention to detail and conceptual rigor. The international recognition, such as the seven projects nominated for the People’s Choice Awards at the 2021 Haligi Ng Dangal Awards by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, underscores the relevance and impact of DADA’s work in contemporizing Filipino architectural identity.
DADA’s portfolio showcases a compelling range of projects that vividly illustrate Alam’s design philosophy. Each endeavor, whether a private residence, a public institution, or a conceptual exploration, is a testament to his commitment to cultural resonance and architectural innovation.
LuzViMinda Cabanas
At Good Food Farm in Magdalena, Laguna, architect Alam brings cultural storytelling to life through the LuzViMinda Cabanas—a trio of huts that honor the traditional architecture of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The cabanas are a pastiche of vernacular forms and region-specific details: steep, angular rooflines inspired by Ifugao architecture for Luzon; woven bamboo textures for the Visayas; and carved woodwork and latticework that echo Maranao and Tausug influences for Mindanao. Alam intentionally worked with local artisans and indigenous materials—such as bamboo, nipa, and hardwood—to root the structures in both ecological and cultural sustainability.
Elevated on stilts and designed for natural ventilation, the LuzViMinda Cabanas are living exhibits that celebrate the ingenuity of Filipino architecture while offering a mindful, immersive experience.
A Paradigm of Resilience and Cultural Sensitivity
Perhaps DADA’s most internationally lauded project is “Currents for Currents,” a design concept developed with 228 Design Studio that garnered the Grand Prix for “Innovation and Architecture for the Sea” at the prestigious Jacques Rougerie Foundation Awards. This visionary project addresses the acute vulnerabilities of indigenous coastal communities in Mindanao—specifically the Tausug, Samal, and Badjao peoples—who face the dual threats of inadequate power infrastructure and the escalating impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and increasingly severe typhoons.
“Currents for Currents” proposes a revolutionary housing solution where structures are designed to pivot, maximizing airflow or minimizing resistance to gale-force winds. The design incorporates vertical hydroponic gardens and, most notably, harnesses both tidal and solar energy. Turbines attached to the stilt-like columns anchoring the houses to the seabed would generate electricity, rendering the communities self-sufficient and even enabling them to sell surplus power.
The project’s philosophy underscores its commitment to resilient, adaptive living in harmony with the marine environment. It draws deep from indigenous wisdom while leveraging modern technology.
Bongao Municipal Hall: Designing for Transparency and Community
Around 2020-2021, DADA started designing a new Bongao Municipal Hall in Tawi-Tawi. This project was conceived with the ambitious goal of creating a public building that embodies transparency—both literally and figuratively—and fosters a profound sense of inclusivity and community ownership.
Alam envisioned a space where the local government’s operations would be visible and accessible, thereby building trust and encouraging civic pride. The design aimed to be highly efficient while being deeply attuned to the local context and the community’s needs, reflecting a human-centric approach to institutional architecture. It was about more than just a building; it was about creating a symbol of a responsive and connected local government.
Kalye Artisano – Kubo PIOPIO: Redefining Work and Leisure
In the idyllic setting of El Nido, Palawan, Alam’s Kalye Artisano – Bamboo House, or “kubo PIOPIO,” reimagines the concept of remote work and co-living. Drawing inspiration from traditional Filipino “bahay kubo” (nipa hut) architecture, this project creates a “cozy nest” that seamlessly blends with its lush tropical surroundings. Features like balconies opening to leaf canopies and permeable walls that blur the lines between indoors and outdoors allow the structure to “breathe in the ocean breeze.” It’s a sophisticated fusion of indigenous design principles with contemporary lifestyle needs, offering a serene haven for the modern nomad.
Bihing Tahik
His most recently completed work is a striking seaside resort nestled in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi—Bihing Tahik. Its name, derived from the Sama language, translates to “by the sea,” immediately rooting the project in its unique coastal context.
While Good Food Farm’s LuzViMinda Cabanas playfully explore vernacular expression through a curated pastiche of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao typologies, Bihing Tahik takes a more integrated, interpretive approach. Here, the architecture is a deliberate amalgamation—fusing traditional elements into something wholly new yet unmistakably grounded in local identity.
The resort’s iconic curved silhouette draws from the sculptural forms of giant clams native to the surrounding Sulu Sea and the aerodynamic grace of traditional lepa boats used by the seafaring Sama people. These visual cues inform both structure and spirit, embedding cultural memory directly into the architecture. Each curve and material choice echoes centuries of place-based knowledge.
While the sensitive design approach defines the resort’s unique and memorable aesthetic, it also fulfills a larger social role. Alam collaborated with local artisans and builders, embracing indigenous knowledge and sourcing materials from the region, such as native hardwoods and handwoven elements. This community-driven strategy provided local employment and skills training, reinforcing the idea that design should uplift and empower the people it serves.
Bihing Tahik achieves a rare architectural feat, creating a modern resort that feels both globally sophisticated and intrinsically Filipino.
A Dialogue Between Client, Community, and Craft
All these projects highlight DADA’s versatility and an unwavering commitment to an architecture that tells a story, respects its origins, and bravely looks to the future. “For those clients,” Alam explains, “they’re really proud of their heritage and culture. And they don’t want to forget the connection to their past.”
Underscoring this is a deeply collaborative design process. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the client’s vision, personality, and lifestyle, often using engagement questionnaires to facilitate this dialogue. This sensitivity ensures that the resulting designs are not just impositions of an architect’s will but are truly reflective of those who will inhabit them.
His engagement extends to the broader community and the construction teams. Recognizing the challenges of implementing innovative or culturally specific designs, he sees the architect’s role as partly educational—guiding both clients and builders towards a shared understanding and appreciation of the design’s intent. This dialogue is crucial for overcoming practical hurdles, such as the unfamiliarity of construction crews with certain materials or techniques.
His philosophy of “stepping away from the traditional way of doing things” is balanced by this collaborative spirit. Even when designs are unconventional, the process is grounded in clear communication and a shared pursuit of excellence. This approach has led to surprising and gratifying outcomes, where clients embrace unique design elements because they understand the vision and feel a part of its creation.
The Delicate Dance of Indigenous Modernism
A central challenge and a defining characteristic of Alam’s work is the sophisticated negotiation between modern architectural language and the enduring wisdom of traditional forms. His approach is to “revisit and adapt indigenous construction methods,” recognizing their inherent sustainability and cultural value.
However, this integration is fraught with complexities. Alam is acutely aware of the pitfalls of superficial appropriation. The process begins with closely studying local traditions, forms, and building methods to ensure indigenous elements are used with care and respect.
The challenge extends to the practicalities of construction, especially when dealing with indigenous materials or unconventional forms. This necessitates a hands-on approach, often involving the education of construction teams and a willingness to innovate on-site. He notes that modern construction often lacks the craftsmanship needed for non-traditional shapes, stressing the importance of skilled, adaptable building practices.
For Alam, the goal is to update traditional homes for modern life without losing their cultural roots. It’s about ensuring that modernization doesn’t lead to the erasure of valuable traditional construction knowledge, but instead learns from it.
Sustainable Futures Rooted in Ancestral Wisdom
For the most part, DADA approaches sustainability as a core design principle, often inspired by the resourcefulness and environmental harmony found in indigenous building traditions. This deep respect for local and renewable materials continues to shape Alam’s contemporary work.
His projects explore energy self-sufficiency, passive cooling techniques inspired by traditional tropical architecture, and the use of materials that are both environmentally sound and culturally relevant. This approach suggests that the path to a sustainable future may well be illuminated by the wisdom of the past, where communities lived in closer symbiosis with their ecosystems. Alam advocates for modernizing traditional structures not by wholesale replacement with often less sustainable modern materials, but by integrating “better, more sustainable technologies” that enhance livability without compromising ecological or cultural integrity.
Shaping Tomorrow
Deo Alam stands as a pivotal figure in contemporary Philippine architecture, an architect who is not only creating remarkable buildings but is also fostering a deeper appreciation for the nation’s rich cultural tapestry. His work serves as a powerful reminder that tradition is not a static relic but a dynamic source of inspiration, capable of informing and enriching modern life in profound ways.
By championing architecture that is authentic, culturally resonant, sustainable, and boldly innovative, Deo Alam is crafting a narrative of Filipino identity that is both proud of its heritage and confident in its future. His commitment to integrate heritage, history, and culture into the built environment ensures that the spaces he creates narrate the ongoing evolution of a people and their enduring connection to place.
As he continues to challenge norms and inspire a new generation of designers, Deo Alam’s influence will undoubtedly continue to shape a more thoughtful, meaningful, and beautiful architectural landscape for years to come.
Photographer: Ed Simon
Hair and Make Up: Twinkle Bernardo
Sittings Editor: Geewel Fuster
Managing Editor: Katherine Lopez
Shoot Coordinator: Mae Talaid
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