Insider Spotlight
The Philippines joins Singapore as the newest participants in the competition, which was launched in Indonesia in 2020 before expanding to Malaysia last year. Entries are open to both professionals and students, covering completed and conceptual residential and commercial projects, with registration running until Aug. 31.
Why it matters
The expansion brings Filipino designers into a regional platform that promotes integrating thermal comfort, indoor air quality and sustainability into architecture and interior design at the earliest stages of planning rather than treating cooling systems as an afterthought.
The Philippine rollout follows a partnership between Daikin Philippines and the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), which also hosted the "Designing Cool Spaces" forum highlighting best practices in spatial planning and air-conditioning integration.
"This is the first time that the Philippines will be joining the Design Awards as the competition continues to expand its reach across the ASEAN region," Daikin Airconditioning Philippines Inc. general manager Arianne Lamug said.
She added that the competition is open to professionals and students submitting either completed or conceptual residential and commercial projects.
The bigger picture
Industry leaders said the initiative reflects a broader shift toward designing buildings that balance aesthetics with occupant comfort, energy efficiency and environmental performance.
"Too often, decisions about cooling systems are made late in the process or are driven by constraints that arise during planning, construction, or budget discussions," Philippine Institute of Interior Designers president Cecil Ravelas said.
"Good design is not only about aesthetics. It is about creating environments that are comfortable, energy-efficient, sustainable, and ultimately enhance how people experience a space."
Ravelas, who will serve as the lone Filipino juror for this year's competition, said the awards encourage designers to develop solutions that address growing concerns over indoor air quality while showcasing Filipino creativity on a regional stage.
The Daikin Designer Awards ASEAN 2026 is open to participants from the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, accepting both conceptual and completed residential and commercial projects. Registration is open until Aug. 31 through the competition's official website. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
