Chrome seen to boost Cebu's creative edge

CEBU, Philippines - Recognizing the potential of Cebu to become one of the world’s design centers, a young Cebuano entrepreneur decided to invest on a one-stop-shop design hub called as “Chrome”, an architecture and design studio intended to nurture the creative advantage of Cebuanos.

Holly Dawn Dychangco, a fresh graduate from the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco, California, USA, with a degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts—in interior architecture and design, has pioneered the offering of a design facility in Cebu, complementing the robust growth in real estate, creative sector, tourism and even construction outsourcing.

Despite the tempting offers she received from prestigious design studio companies in the United States, Dychangco said she had to go home and help Cebu in raising the bar in terms of creative skills, specifically in design.

Initially, Dychangco is working with some residential renovation projects for interior design and landscaping. Upon the formal operation of her company, which is under the Dychangco Group, it is now working with several institutional clients in the hospitality industry, including resorts, among others.

However, she said the studio will not only offer the design and architectural works for the domestic market, as it is also on its way to attract the overseas customers particularly in Asia.

After building its name in Cebu and other parts of the country, in partnership with contractors and other service providers, aside from growing her team of creative skills, and designers, Dychangco said she is eyeing the international market, starting with Dubai, as well as emerging countries in Asia, like Vietnam. With the help of her family’s business, the establishment of Chrome invested at least P15 million for the construction of the posh facility located along Salinas Drive, in Nivel Hills.

Chrome also renders 3D services, urban planning, landscaping, and other CAD (Computer Aided Designs) works. At present, Dychangco leads the team of seven people to initially work with their pioneering clients, while it is working with several pending proposals.

“I see so much potential here,” she said rather than working for a company in the United States. “It is the best time for me to be here [and for the business], while US is still in recession.”

The establishment of this first design hub in Cebu, is expected to reinforce Cebu’s positioning as a design capital, as well as being proclaimed by the British Council as the “Creative City” in the Philippines.

Chrome offers specialization in documentation and auxiliary services, design consultation, architectural consulation, interior design works, among others. (FREEMAN)