Competition winners revealed

"A Taj of India," a window design with a decidedly Indian aesthetic, took the top honors and a cash prize of P25,000 at the recently concluded Hunter Douglas Signature Windows Design Competition at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The announcement was made during the formal exhibition of the top 12 finalists held at the Beato Angelico Gallery of UST on September 9.

Hunter Douglas, the world leader in window fashions, invited UST-College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) students to design and execute original windows that would showcase the versatility of Hunter Douglas window fashions.

Each entry was a collaborative effort, with students working closely together in groups to conceptualize a design that would best illustrate Hunter Douglas’ ability to provide innovative, cutting-edge design solutions for any window shape. The exhibit featured full scale representations of these designs using the actual Hunter Douglas windows solutions specified by the students

A jubilant all-girl team composed of Patricia Lae Ejercitado, April Rachel Oliveros, Ramchelle Ylade, Jadelyn Bassig and Joanna Villena drew inspiration for "A Taj of India" from the vibrant colors and sense of discovery of the Far East to design a charming bay window that allows maximum control of external lighting using Hunter Douglas’ Silhouette blinds.

Jim Tan, Hunter Douglas regional director for window covering products for Asia operations, who was on hand to award the prizes to the winners, praised the students on their ability to balance creativity with commercial viability. "I am very pleased with all the entries, but this design especially demonstrates the versatility of Hunter Douglas window fashions," he said.

The second prize and a cash prize of P15,000 was awarded to Jamie C. Reyes, Joy Merryl Ngo, Sharlene Dy, Hannah Bernice Ranes and Jennylyn Salazar for their Mexican folk art inspired designed called "Ahira Bow Window," which combined the traditional and the modern in a familiar and functional window using Hunter Douglas Duette blinds.

The third prize and a cash prize of P10,000 went to Jadeline Ralleta, Shiel Taguba, Bianca Buenafe, Crystal Alegre and Pauline Custodio for their innovative loft window, "Func de Sality." This unconventional window is a perfect design solution for lofts where part of the ceiling becomes a sky light using Hunter Douglas Duette blinds.

Aside from the top three prizes, fellow students and visitors to the Hunter Douglas Signature Windows exhibit voted for their favorite entry in a special "People’s Choice" award which went to Kzar Eusebio, Gladys Moleño, Kristine Velarde, Cai Maipid, and Bryan Favorito for "Country Window."

A distinguished panel of judges composed of Jet Bije, sales director of Hunter Douglas Philippines, Inc; JR Victorio, in-house interior decorator for "At Home Ka Dito with Charlene Gonzales;" Kate Torralba, fashion designer; Haide Santos, resident interior designer for DMCI Homes; and Karen Agustin, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2003, and Ma. Socorro Gomez, a faculty member of UST CFAD chose the winning designs from among the 12 finalists.

Judging was based on the following criteria: originality of concept (50%), execution of design (30%) and commercial viability (20%).

The finalists and winning entries to the Hunter Douglas Window Design Competition were exhibited at the Beato Angelico Gallery on Sept. 8 to 16.