The world is filled with diverse cultures, each with its own unique customs, traditions, and ways of life, evident in the way they design their living spaces. To some, combining those elements to create one cohesive room may seem impossible, but during the “PHusion” exhibit, the graduating batch of the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID)-Ahlen Institute showed us how designs from all around the world can be seamlessly incorporated into our own, creating a well-crafted interior that everyone can enjoy.
There are 12 booths (representing Egyptian, South African, American, Nicaraguan, Brazilian, French, Scandinavian, British, Italian, Australian, Japanese, and Persian) that visitors can explore until Oct. 31, 2023, located on the fifth floor of Greenfield Tower at the intersection of Mayflower and William Streets, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong.
The 44th Interior Design Graduation Exhibit is aptly titled "PHusion" since the booths showcase the “fusion of Filipino cultural influences, historical styles, and pop culture references with other global cultures from an interior design standpoint.”
“The exhibit recognizes the importance of how world cultures are interdependent on each other, which also serves as a driving force in the creation of new and intricate interior design ideas. It also provides a medium from which design solutions come to life as masterfully designed interior spaces take center stage,” according to a statement from PSID.
IDr. Carol Peña, dean of PSID-Ahlen, said that with this exhibit, the institution creatively blends and adapts design elements from various cultures, building a relationship between cultures through interior design. “The residential spaces you enter feature cross-cultural design. Through this theme, PSID-Ahlen aims to showcase how culture influences interior design – and conversely, how interior design exemplifies culture – through the creative adaptation of various design elements and the reimagination of layout,” Peña said.
Cultural diversity is fascinating, reflecting how people design their living spaces. From the colors they prefer to the types of furniture they use, it all tells a unique story about their traditions and values. By fusing both international and local influences, it not only inspires others to create new ideas but also shows that despite our differences, we can find common ground in the spaces we create and inhabit.