MANILA, PHILIPPINES – As the global design industry continues its shift toward more inclusive and culturally rooted creative expressions, the Philippine School of Interior Design – Ahlen (PSID-Ahlen) marks National Culture Consciousness Week with a renewed commitment to nurturing young creatives who are globally competitive yet deeply grounded in their cultural heritage.
Since its establishment in 1967, PSID-Ahlen has upheld a clear mission: to empower aspiring interior designers with a foundation of cultural awareness and innovation. This philosophy remains central to the institution’s vision of shaping the future of culturally conscious interior design.
“PSID believes that developing a design style is rooted in identifying, recognizing and applying culture as the core of design identity”, shared Pojie Pambid, PSID-Ahlen’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Having an understanding of cultural identity moves future designers into adapting their own brand of interior design, ingrained in their heritage, culture and history.”
This vision is reflected in the school’s curriculum, where students are immersed in subjects and experiences that frame culture not simply as content to be learned, but as a lens through which design challenges are tackled. Each project becomes an opportunity for research, comparative analysis and ultimately, creative synthesis where global and local influences converge into a distinctive ‘glocal’ aesthetic.
“PSID always rocks the boat when it comes to giving out design problems”, said Pambid. “The design classes at PSID offer challenges that force students to think creatively. One formula is to always create design challenges that fuses one design style with another.”
From studio projects to exhibits, students are consistently pushed to explore how interior design can reflect, preserve, and evolve cultural narratives. Throughout the years, its students have been curating exhibits that do not only showcase their talent but also break the boundaries of cultural interpretation, material innovation, and spatial storytelling.
In 2013, they have launched “OPM: Obra Para sa Musika” an exhibit that features designs inspired by songs of Filipino musicians. In 2014, “GLOBALSCAPES” booth designs inspired by countries around the world. Most recently, in 2023, “PHusion”, showcased twelve different cultural styles merges with Filipino design sensibilities.
This year, PSID-Ahlen brings its value to life with the upcoming launch of their Designs Of Christmas Exhibit (D.O.C.E.) which showcases the Christmas spirit of Filipino and global cultures through seasonal storytelling, cultural context and design innovation.
