A Filipino Interpretation of Modernist Architecture Unlike the rest of Makati today, the northern end of Paseo de Roxas in Makati is anchored by a low complex rather than a tall skyscraper. This is the elegant Asian Institute of Management, designed by architect Gabriel Formoso and completed in 1971. In my opinion, the building is […]
BluPrint Homes: A New Era of Conscious Living
A new vision for design and living makes its debut as BluPrint Homes launches its maiden issue, dedicated to exploring “The New Era of Conscious Living.” This magazine embraces a holistic approach to design, focusing on concepts that excel not only in function and beauty but also prioritize sustainability and ethical considerations.
For its first issue, BluPrint Homes presents two distinct covers. The first features “Stillness by the Sea,” a stunning family beach house in Batangas, designed to be a tranquil sanctuary. The home intentionally uses repurposed pieces and local Filipino materials like cogon grass and runo reeds, reflecting the owners’ desire for a space that feels lived-in and “grows old gracefully”.
The second cover showcases the magazine’s banner story, “The Essence of Conscious Living,” a unique vision born from a landmark collaboration between renowned furniture brand Ethan Allen and three of Manila’s top interior designers: IDr. Rossy Rojales, IDr. Tet Tiu-Alano, and IDr. Joliza Tan. Moving against the tide of fast trends, this partnership set out to create exceptional vignettes that connect to Ethan Allen’s core ethos of impeccable quality and craftsmanship.
Debut Issue Contents: Casa Elena, Condo Living, Art Collecting
Beyond its covers, the magazine offers a rich and immersive experience, delving into spaces that tell profound stories. In “A House Built with Grace,” readers are welcomed into Casa Elena, an architect’s heartfelt tribute to his late wife in Quezon City. What began as a plan for a retirement home evolved into a legacy of love, where nature-integrated design, sustainable features, and honest materiality converge with deeply personal memories.
The CONDO LIVING section features “Intentional Maximalism,” a tour of creative director Vince Uy’s ever-evolving Makati apartment. His home is a living narrative, a curated abundance of stories, colors, and textures that shift in step with his life’s journey. It’s a space filled with cultural mementos from travels, an art collection supporting young local artists, and rooms that transform to suit a more relaxed pace of life.
In ARTS & CULTURE, “A Collection That Speaks to the Soul” introduces a passionate cake designer and art collector who has transformed his four-story Quezon City apartment into a personal gallery. Driven by a love for monochrome works that he finds “nostalgic, beautiful, dramatic; you know, very serene,” the home was designed around the art itself. The story explores his philosophy of collecting: to buy what you love, regardless of trends, because you have to enjoy what you live with every day.
The FEATURE section offers “Archival Sensations,” an exploration of how timeless design is reinterpreted for modern interiors. The article delves into the concept of “restrained opulence,” showing how mixing pieces from different eras—blending the contemporary with the traditional—can create a home that feels both timeless and deeply personal through the art of storytelling.
This premier volume marks an evolution for the brand, introducing a larger framework that encompasses interior design, arts, and culture. As Fuster notes, the magazine’s mission is to present visual beauty backed by substance, celebrating the joy found in thoughtful design, entertaining, and styling.
With a clear emphasis on individuality, good taste, and soulful living, BluPrint Homes embarks on its journey to celebrate the art of a beautiful life.
Head over to sarisari shopping, Shopee, and Lazada to order your copy today. E-magazines are also available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Dive into the captivating world of 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, interiors, and arts & culture by getting exclusive digital access to BluPrint’s past and upcoming issues. Click here to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The “New Era of Conscious Living” represents a holistic shift in design that prioritizes individuality, sustainability, and ethical considerations over fast-moving trends. It focuses on creating spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also soulful and “lived-in,” allowing a home to grow old gracefully. This philosophy encourages homeowners to select materials and pieces that reflect their personal stories and support local craftsmanship, ensuring the home remains a meaningful sanctuary.
BluPrint Homes highlights the use of repurposed pieces and indigenous Filipino materials like cogon grass and runo reeds, as seen in the “Stillness by the Sea” beach house. These choices reduce environmental impact while rooting the architecture in its local context. By using materials that age naturally, the design embraces “honest materiality,” where the physical substance of the home contributes to a sense of tranquility and permanence.
As showcased in the feature on Vince Uy’s Makati apartment, “Intentional Maximalism” is the curated abundance of stories, textures, and colors that reflect a resident’s personal journey. Unlike cluttered spaces, this approach focuses on a meaningful collection of cultural mementos and art that supports local creators. It demonstrates how a small urban space can be transformed into a living narrative that evolves alongside the owner’s changing pace of life.
The magazine introduces the concept of “Archival Sensations” and “restrained opulence” to guide homeowners in blending different eras. This involves mixing timeless, traditional pieces with modern elements to create a space that feels personal rather than showroom-perfect. The key is the art of storytelling—using furniture and decor from various periods to create a cohesive interior that feels both sophisticated and deeply connected to the owner’s history.
According to the featured collector in the Arts & Culture section, the best approach is to buy what you love regardless of market trends. Collecting should be a soulful pursuit focused on works that evoke personal emotions—such as nostalgia or serenity—rather than investment potential. By designing rooms around the art itself, the collection becomes a “monochrome narrative” that speaks to the soul, ensuring the homeowner enjoys their surroundings every day.
“Thailand has claimed urban creativity and livability. Singapore has institutional design leadership. Indonesia is emerging as a design hub. Vietnam is moving into design innovation. And the Philippines? Its position is not weak. It is simply unclaimed.” For IDr. Cecil Ravelas, National President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), the challenge is not […]
The Ramon Magsaysay Center as a Modernist Landmark Driving down Roxas boulevard from Rizal Park, what will catch your eye is the most elegant modernist structure in the country, the Ramon Magsaysay Center. Most established Filipino architects put it in their top ten lists of favorite buildings. It was designed by Alfredo J. Luz, who […]
Rinna Soriano’s favorite part of her work is sanding. At her workbench, she stays focused, following the grain, adjusting to changes in its direction. Narra, she has learned, can have interlocking grain. A piece of mango once proved particularly difficult until a worker explained that she had reached the point where a branch once grew […]
Filipino 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 has long been associated with indigenous materials and vernacular design strategies, from bamboo and timber construction to jalousie windows, generous spaces, […]
A chair does not always prescribe how to sit in it. A lamp can be more than a source of light. A clock can be more than a way to tell the time.These small departures from convention are at the center of IKEA PS 2026. The latest iteration of IKEA’s experimental PS series comprises more […]
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