Naval Evolution

According to the designer himself, Milo Naval’s brand of modernism is "pared down but not brutally minimalist, complex in concept and evolution but simple in expression." Indeed, the pieces are spare, streamlined and, without a doubt, world-class. Though they are products of a design-savvy mind, a keen eye and a hands-on approach, they also are results of a partnership between husband and wife.

Out in Biñan, Laguna, what used to be a narra tree nursery is now home to the showroom and factory of Evolve Designs, a company engaged in the business of designing, manufacturing and exporting furniture and home accessories. A lush garden is the foreground for the showroom–a non-imposing structure, the footprint of which would make a nice home–that holds within its confines a wealth of awe-inspiring yet non-intimidating pieces that are testaments to modern Philippine design.

It has been said that behind every great man is a great woman. Though that could very well be true, in the case of Milo Naval and his wife Kat, it is more of a side-by-side partnership. Once an architecture student and once a practicing interior designer, Milo handles design and production, while architecture graduate Kat, who comes up with names for the pieces designed by her husband, handles marketing.

Milo’s seemingly inborn interest in design has its roots in childhood–as early as in the second or third grade. The third of five children, he was always around whenever his parents would fix the house, and he would offer his opinions on how things should be done. "When renovations were being done, I was there during construction," the now 46-year-old Milo recounts. "I was a small boy and I would play with pieces of wood scattered around and make houses out of them, make a village even. I think it was inborn, and taste develops through the years depending on exposure," he adds.

As for the next generation, Milo and Kat are parents to three children, two boys and a girl, aged 11 to 14. And are any of them showing signs of following in their parents’ footsteps? "Two are quite creative. They see me work, doing sketches and designs, and they sit with me and do their own designs," Milo says with obvious pride.

"Things are different through the eyes of kids. A chair doesn’t look like a chair anymore," he adds, amused. "They’re my first-hand critics. When I have new things I try to bring them home so I can see how they will use them."

The business of making pieces that are "thought-provoking yet, ultimately, very personal solutions for living in today’s world" saw its start in the garage of the Naval’s home in Quezon City. They joined their first Manila F.A.M.E. International trade show in October 1998 and, aside from booking a US$6,000 order for shell accessories made in Kat’s native Sorsogon, won for one of their shell candleholders the Katha Award for best product.

But it was during their third show that it became clear that they could and wanted to do this for a living. "The second show had good results. We were happy. We were doing furniture already which was where we really wanted to go. The third show for which we made furniture and accessories caught the attention of the buyers so I felt that it would be good that we focus. It was during the third show that buyers were queueing up to see our booth," shares Milo, who is a part of Movement 8, an alliance of exceptionally creative young Filipino designers with constantly evolving bodies of work.

The small business that once had Kat making boxes for their first orders now employs 70 people. "Nobody would accept small quantities so she was doing the boxes. I was doing some finishing, painting and all that. Together we were sanding some of the wooden pieces, and we were doing it in our garage," he relates.

And they have come a long way from the first pieces that graced their very first booth during their very first show. "It’s kind of daya," Milo laughs. "The first samples in the show are pieces from my house which I refinished. I came up with small pieces like tables and consoles that I wrapped in rope. That was the first line that I did, but the basic pieces came from my house."

Along with Milo’s design sensibility comes his hands-on approach. Even during the time when he was an active interior designer, he just had to be at the job site. "Your presence gives security to your people," he explains.

This approach extends beyond work and into the way he treats the people who work under him. "As much as possible, I keep track of each and everyone. I get to know them. I mingle with them. After work on weekends, sometimes there are instant parties here. We develop rapport and they get to know me. You give them a certain feeling of security when you mingle with them," Milo states. "I always tell them that this is one big family."

Though the pieces Milo designs adapt and evolve according to trends and market tastes, they don’t change or deviate from his philosophy too drastically. "What you see now," he says, gesturing towards the pieces in the showroom, "is more or less the same style I was doing when I was doing my interior design. It changes because you kind of go with the flow but my style has always been like this from the very beginning."

Talking about minimalism, Kat speaks about being embraced by a room once you enter it, how rooms can be of a minimalist bent yet still exude warmth. Though these pieces executed in materials such as abaca, raffia, leather, wood, bamboo and metal are far from being over-stuffed and fully-upholstered, they have a certain quality that invites one to touch, to feel, to try. The pieces are beautiful, tactile, and interesting in their simplicity and subtle details. But, more importantly, they are comfortable and are able to live up to the demands of real life.

I should know. After all, I spent at least half an hour on the Hera woven raffia three-seater sofa–which happens to be Kat’s current favorite piece, and mine too–speaking with Milo. I also spent a good amount of time on one of their dining chairs enjoying Kat’s wonderful lunch of tossed green salad, tuyo and tomato sauce over pasta and, later in the day, spot-hitting turon for merienda.

With talent, their ability to work together in harmony, and participation in several trade shows both here and abroad under their belt, the tandem of Milo and Kat Naval is a force to reckon with. They are also warm and welcoming–as welcoming as their Wave daybed whose interplay of sensuous curves and texture are not only pleasing to the eye but also send out a sublime message of comfort and functionality.

Perhaps the biggest compliments they have received are those from buyers who have come up to them to say that had they been furniture buyers, theirs would be the kind of things they would go for. Equal to that would be compliments from other furniture makers who admire their pieces.

Such compliments are positive outcomes for Milo’s belief that not everything has to be about money, that the fruits of his labor have to make him, first and foremost, happy. The buyers who have been with them from the start are also rewards reaped from good seeds sown. During the time when China was poised to make itself the factory of the world, luring buyers with very low prices, Milo, in a conscious effort to keep the relationship not just for his own benefit but for the export industry as a whole, designed an exclusive collection suited to the tastes and price points of one of their regular buyers. The buyer is still with them to this day.

And what lies ahead for Evolve Designs? Here’s something to be on the look out for: paper. "For a time paper was very popular. It’s time to bring it back," Milo says. Knowing what he is capable of, it will certainly be something to look forward to.