The fourth Manila Interior DesignInterior DesignThe discipline of planning and shaping interior spaces for function, comfort, safety, and beauty. It covers layout, lighting, materials, finishes, furniture, and color, and in the Philippines is a licensedGo to Interior Design Glossary Summit (MIDS) brought together more than 300 delegates for four days of conversations, exhibitions, and design […]
Manila Interior Design Summit 2026 Explores the Filipino Voice in Southeast Asian Design
The fourth Manila Interior DesignInterior DesignThe discipline of planning and shaping interior spaces for function, comfort, safety, and beauty. It covers layout, lighting, materials, finishes, furniture, and color, and in the Philippines is a licensedGo to Interior Design Glossary Summit (MIDS) brought together more than 300 delegates for four days of conversations, exhibitions, and design experiences across Metro Manila. Organized by the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), the summit opened at The Fifth at Rockwell with the Collective 8 exhibition, featuring works by eight Filipino designers and makers, before moving through showrooms and design destinations across Makati and Bonifacio Global City.
Under the theme “Designing New Worlds: Culture, Cities, and the Future of Southeast Asia,” MIDS 2026 explored materiality and craft, technology, human experience, and the role of design in building cultural infrastructure. Its four-day program considered how spaces receive us, hold us, carry us forward, and ultimately make us feel.
Related Read: Manila Interior Design Summit 2025: Breaking Boundaries and the Future of Design
How Design Creates a Sense of Welcome
Following the opening at The Fifth at Rockwell, the first day brought delegates through a series of design experiences across Makati. The SOFA Sandbox presented three interpretations of familiar spaces, while Scavolini and Valcucine hosted showroom tours.
At Poliform, Carlo Calma, J. Anton Mendoza, Jason Buensalido, Alex Co, and Ed Calma came together for Design in Motion. Flexform followed with Objects in Perspective, an exploration of form, comfort, and detail, alongside a showroom visit to Metrotiles. The day concluded back at The Fifth with the PIID Gala Dinner.
DAY 1 | THE WELCOMING: HOW SPACE RECEIVES US
AI, Materiality, and Human Experience Shape Contemporary Interiors
The second day turned toward the forces shaping contemporary interiors. At the Kuysen Design + Experience Center, Toronto-based architect Alex Josephson discussed The Future of AI in ArchitectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary, while architect Ramon Antonio presented Design Unbound at Casa Bella, looking at the evolving language of design and its influence on how people experience space.
At Oppein, interior designer Chat Fores led a session around materiality, craft, and the senses. At Design Story, Rossy Rojales presented The Human Landscape, examining the inspiration, styling, and design details behind a space. The day’s circuit also included Abitare, Fashion Interiors, Tamarind Place, and showroom visits to Monarc, Venetian, and Elementi at the Levanto Building.
DAY 2 | CRAFTED INTERIORS: HOW SPACE HOLDS US
Storytelling Carries Design and Culture Forward
Moving to Bonifacio Global City, the third day considered how design can respond to contemporary life while carrying culture and stories forward. At Focus Global, The Art of the Pause combined Filipino brunch, live acoustic music, and moodboard building in an experience centered on slowing down and creating.
At Dexterton, architect Anthony Nazareno presented Weaving Stories into Spaces. The day’s route continued through showroom experiences at Hooga and SMEG in BGC before moving to CWC in Makati.
DAY 3 | THE CITY AND THE FUTURE: HOW SPACE CARRIES US FORWARD
Regional and Global Voices Consider the Future of Design
The final day brought MIDS 2026 to the Proscenium Theater at Rockwell Center for its Design Symposium, bringing Filipino practitioners into conversation with five international speakers. Takae Ito and Alex Josephson joined architect Edwin Uy; Satoshi Ohashi was paired with Ed Calma; while Carlos Arnaiz and Defit Wijaya joined interior designer Tina Periquet.
Coming from practices across Tokyo, Toronto, Beijing, Brooklyn, and Bali, the speakers brought different perspectives to the summit’s larger conversation on culture, cities, and the future of Southeast Asia. The international roster included Ito of SALT International, Josephson of PARTISANS ArchitectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary Studio, Arnaiz of CAZA, Wijaya of IBUKU Studio, and Ohashi of Zaha Hadid Architects. PIID – MIDS 26_Primer
DAY 4 | THE SYNTHESIS: HOW SPACE MAKES US FEEL
Related Read: Insights and Celebrations: A Recap on Manila Interior Design Summit 2024 Symposium
About the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers
The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) is the accredited professional organization for interior designers in the Philippines. Through programs including the Manila Interior DesignInterior DesignThe discipline of planning and shaping interior spaces for function, comfort, safety, and beauty. It covers layout, lighting, materials, finishes, furniture, and color, and in the Philippines is a licensedGo to Interior Design Glossary Summit, PIID advances the practice of interior design while creating platforms for professional exchange, education, and dialogue on the role of Filipino design within the local and international design community.
All photos courtesy of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID)
Frequently Asked Questions
The Manila Interior Design Summit 2026 is a four-day design event organized by the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers. Its 2026 edition brought together more than 300 delegates for talks, exhibitions, showroom visits, and design experiences across Metro Manila.
MIDS 2026 carried the theme “Designing New Worlds: Culture, Cities, and the Future of Southeast Asia,” exploring design through materiality, craft, human experience, cultural infrastructure, and the region’s evolving design identity.
Speakers across the four-day program included Carlo Calma, J. Anton Mendoza, Jason Buensalido, Alex Co, Ed Calma, Alex Josephson, Ramon Antonio, Chat Fores, Rossy Rojales, Anthony Nazareno, Edwin Uy, Tina Periquet, Takae Ito, Carlos Arnaiz, Defit Wijaya, and Satoshi Ohashi.
Rather than taking place in a single venue, MIDS 2026 moved through Rockwell Center, Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and participating design showrooms and studios. The final Design Symposium was held at the Proscenium Theater at Rockwell Center.
The Manila Interior Design Summit is organized by the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID). The 2026 summit ran from September 30 to October 3.
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