Designer’s Conquest. Justine C. Eda of the University
of Saint Louis lifts his trophy as champion of
the 13th Estilo de Vida Interschool
Interior Design Competition.
The 13th Estilo de Vida Interschool Interior Design Competition was won by a Louisian, Justine C. Eda, whose “Le Go Green” design demonstrated a new sense of space in an urbanized lifestyle.
The winner is a third year Interior Design (ID) student of the University of Saint Louis (USL), Tuguegarao City.
According to Interior Designer Melissa Caronan, USL ID program chair, instructor and coach of Mr. Eda, the Estilo de Vida competition intends to enhance and show ID students’ ideas or ability in interior designing.
“It was participated in by third year and fourth year ID students all over the country who submitted entries for evaluation. The top three qualifiers were later announced to prepare for an exhibition,” IDr. Caronan explained.
“Luckily, out of the top three, Mr. Eda was the champion,” she added. “As his instructor, I am overwhelmed and flattered. We didn’t have so much time left for the preparation, but we managed to comply and won. I am also thankful for this opportunity; all the hard work paid off.”
In the awarding ceremony held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City on Nov. 12, 2016, the champion and his fellow ID students who assisted him during the exhibit’s preparation, Ms. Christine Donato (BSID-3) and Ms. Vanessa Mondejar (BSID-4), were granted Php 100,000.00 as an award sponsored by the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. and Philconstruct Events, Exhibitions and Conferences, Corporation. The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, Inc. was a co-sponsor of the competition.
The three designs were constructed and displayed at the Philconstruct Events in SMX Convention Center last Nov. 10-13, 2016, conforming to the theme “New Wave: A Sense of Space for Urbanized Lifestyle.”
A farmer’s son
The lowly yet talented Mr. Eda is from Sto. Tomas, Isabela. His father works as a farmer and owns a hardware shop while his mother is a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).
His small-town origin did not deter him from winning. To conceptualize a home interior that suits well for an urban lifestyle like condo-unit-type is a challenge because Tuguegarao City (where he is most exposed to), as an urbanized center in Region 2, is different in terms of lifestyle compared with Metro Manila where his competitors are more acquainted with.
“What I can only rely upon are my learnings from school, magazines, and books, especially on contemporary and urban designs,” Mr. Eda told.
In an interview, Mr. Eda confessed that worry swathed him during the preparation, but his fortitude remained, “Not everything is to be given up when the battle is not over yet.”
A humble lad
Inspired by the architects and engineers he met during the exhibit’s groundwork, his teeming lessons from DDT Konstract, Inc.’s owner and President, Engr. Danilo Tamayo; VP for Architectural, Arch. Jose Dalisay IV; VP for Engineering, Engr. Erwin Soliven; Area General Foreman, Mr. Albert Campo; and Whiteport, Inc.’s VP for Engineering, Engr. Salvador Jadie enthused him to be humble just like them. “They were very simple and humble,” he remarked.
“They were so kind. The head representative of DDT Konstract, Inc. allotted time for us to see their construction site and their precast wall factory,” he shared.
“When we got the DDT Konstract, Inc. as our contractor, we were really happy because we knew the owner is a Cagayano. And truly, they were down-to-earth towards us.”
Estilo de Vida now owns Mr. Eda’s design after his winning.
His winning design
“Le Go Green” is a play of the words “lego” meaning to put together, and “green” for a touch of nature. The Lego block mechanism was used for space-saving modular design.
“You can do a lot with one thing,” Mr. Eda said, explaining modular design. “Having a minimal space, the design aims to put all the areas together by using a space-saving built-in feature.”
“Everything is a combination of modern style blends with a little touch of nature,” he added.
“What is also interesting is the drum that I have turned into an ergonomic chair,” Mr. Eda reiterating about his project.
See below pictures of Mr. Eda’s winning interior design.
Vertical wood posts were used to emphasize the ceiling and to create divisions.
Vinyl flooring was applied to make the area look expansive.
At the back of the bed’s headboard are white Legos perfecting the painted wall.
A working table, complemented with a drum turned into an ergonomic chair,
is seen beneath the stairs to maximize the space.
All photos by Vanessa Mondejar
