From the cultural link ushered by the Galleon trade came a convergence resulting in a great influence on Philippine arts and architecture. This has been made visible through the rise of casa mestiza - a unique fusion of filipino and spanish ascendancy yet is still uniquely and inherently local.

The Philippines has become a melting pot for culture and arts; a home for artists who thrive in various forms of art. Although different from yesterday’s art indulgence, the Philippine art scene of today seems to have taken a backseat, with rising limitations in terms of opportunity, promotion, and funding. Still, art plays a huge role in Filipino identity, providing avenues for intangible and tangible expression of heritage and culture.

Palitahanan is a home for sharing culture, trading ideas, and exchanging art forms. It is a place of exchange between artists and artisans, an avenue for artistic expression allowing them to hone their skills, and showcase their craft. The project takes on the challenge of retrofitting sustainable techniques already found in Filipino-Hispanic houses - rainwater harvesting, ventilation, and natural lighting. A vessel carrying the affluence of Philippine arts of the yesteryears and the present, setting forth to voyage farther into the hereafter.

Facade - a contemporaneous take on the Casa Mestiza that draws people’s attention to take notice of the creative nature of its inhabitants.

Inner Courtyard - the building’s main visual corridor and ventilation bounded by arches with operable panels that induce optimal air flow and the right amount of natural light.

Inner Courtyard - Includes a fountain feature that adds passive cooling to the building and has grass with stone paving to enable rainwater surface runoff.

Residential Units - suited to accommodate the immediate needs of its occupants by providing them an air of comfort through traditional ways of passive ventilation and a warm familiar atmosphere.

Workshop + Cafe - space for fostering the exchange of ideas, showcasing the crafts of different local artists and artisans while also being an immersive place for visitors.

Facade
Double facade - diffuses natural light and enables venturi effect
Bi-fold Windows - allow occupants to adjust according to their privacy and ventilation needs
Vegetation - natural protection against harsh climates that also adds contrast to the building materials
Stone brick and wood material finishes - an ode to the traditional Fil-Hispanic construction that complements each other
Courtyard
Arches with sliding panels - wall openings to the outdoors that can control light diffusion, user privacy, and air circulation
Balustrade - a classic Spanish-influenced ornamentation that serves as a safety feature
Fountain - cools the microclimate of the building and the focal point of its landscaping
Pervious Surface - enables rainwater runoff