Front and center: Ashton’s architectural vision showcasing its facade collection

Facades are often perceived as the mere "face" of a building, but they encompass much more than just aesthetics. They set the tone for the structure, serve vital functions in temperature regulation, light management, and energy efficiency, and reflect our commitment to sustainability. Today, they have evolved into dynamic components that blend beauty with purpose, transforming simple surfaces into essential elements that tell a story about their environment and the people within.

Ashton, a premier distributor of surfacing and home products, hosted the second edition of its Design Dialogues series, titled "Facades of the Future." The company brought together some of the brightest minds in modern architecture to explore the role of contemporary facades in addressing community needs while showcasing its facade collection. The event took place at the Ashton flagship showroom in Taguig City on Wednesday, October 9.

Renowned architects Ed Calma of Lor Calma and Partners and Cathy Saldaña of PDP Architects led the discussion, sharing their experiences, knowledge, and design philosophies on how facades are evolving with the times. The event coincided with World Architecture Day 2024, which emphasized the importance of empowering the next generation to participate in urban design. Also present were Ashton President Oliver Sy, Vice President Jennifer Cobankiat Sy, and Marketing Manager Janelle Cobankiat Sy.

"I'm really excited to have Ed and Cathy as our speakers today, offering great insights for us to learn from. I hope that by the end of this event, everyone will have gained something new. At Ashton, continuous learning has been part of our ten-year journey—finding innovative products like Dekton to bring to the Philippines and discovering creative ways to use them to build our reputation,” said Janelle.

The highlight of the event was Cosentino’s Dekton, a material that has rapidly become a favorite among architects and designers for its aesthetic appeal, durability, and environmental benefits. Created through a proprietary sinterization process, Dekton offers large-format slabs that provide seamless, bold designs with technical versatility. It resists weathering, UV rays, and thermal shock, making it the perfect choice for modern facades, whether in ventilated, curtain wall, or bonded systems.

Beyond its performance, Dekton's commitment to sustainability resonated with attendees. The product’s carbon-neutral manufacturing process, backed by LEED and BREEAM certifications, aligns with global environmental standards—an essential feature that architects like Calma and Saldaña emphasized in today’s design landscape.

Ashton’s mission is clear: to empower architects and designers by offering cutting-edge, sustainable facade solutions like Dekton that seamlessly blend beauty, durability, and environmental responsibility.

“Ashton is proud to provide architects and designers with access to innovative, sustainable, and high-performing facade solutions like Dekton,” said Janelle. “As always, our main goal is to empower our clients with solutions that combine aesthetics, durability, and environmental responsibility.”

For Ashton, a trusted distributor of premium surfacing materials since 1995, the future of architecture lies in blending form with function. With products like Dekton, they demonstrate that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.