Design students reimagine holiday traditions in ‘Designs of Christmas’ exhibit

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The Philippine School of Interior Design–Ahlen Institute (PSID-Ahlen) is giving the country’s most beloved holiday a fresh look and feel with its 48th graduation showcase, the Designs of Christmas Exhibit (D.O.C.E.), unveiled at a press launch at GH Tower in Greenhills.

The exhibit features 12 student-designed installations that reinterpret Christmas through culture, color, character and chronology. Moving beyond the classic red-and-green palette, the booths highlight how Filipino design sensibilities continue to evolve, blending heritage with contemporary style and personal expression.

“Through the years, Filipinos have evolved in their design sensibilities,” said interior designer and PSID professor Pojie Pambid. “Gone are the days when houses were decorated with giant spoon-and-fork sets or tinikling dancers on the wall. Today, design is more curated, more personalized and more experimental, even during Christmas.”

Here are the 12 booths on display:

1. A raw yet festive entertainment room with grooved concrete partitions, breeze blocks, and coffered ceilings softened by warm lighting. The design encourages traditional play and conversation, free from tech distractions.
2. Inspired by the grandeur of the Victorian era and enriched with steampunk details. Bold colors, brass accents, and Arcane-inspired ornamentation create a space that feels historic yet imaginative.
3. Art Deco. Formal glamour meets Bohemian warmth in a Manhattan-inspired setting. Deep green walls, gold accents, velvet seating, and a feathered tree capture both elegance and memory.
4. Drawing from Las Posadas, this booth blends solemn lighting with vibrant Otomi patterns and papel picado-inspired panels, reflecting both reverence and celebration.
5. A festive fusion of the Rio Carnival and Filipino Christmas. Fluid curves, warm wood, and tropical textures set the stage for rhythm, light, and cultural connection.
6. Simoy ng Pasko – A dining lanai inspired by Simbang Gabi. An achromatic palette, soft greens, and gentle textures create a serene yet communal space that honors faith and togetherness.
7. Velvet Frost. Inspired by chocolate plum and mint hues, this living room pairs a hand-painted floral mural with a sculptural tree lamp, reimagining holiday light and tradition.
8. Liloura Lush. A soft, elegant space shaped by lilac, icy blue, and ivory. Designed to be both festive and timeless, it balances beauty with practicality.
9. Spiced Ember. A whisky lounge palette of russet, orange, and flame conveys warmth and refinement. Layered textures and sculptural accents offer a fresh take on holiday intimacy.
10. Noël Aurora. An Icelandic-inspired room that shifts from serene daylight tones to crystalline hues at night, echoing the Northern Lights through light and texture.
11. Urban Cosmopolitan. A bachelor pad influenced by origami and geometry. Clean lines, angular furniture, and a statement red tree create a bold yet comfortable holiday setting.
12. Rustic Soirée. Evoking a French provincial Christmas Eve, this booth features a stone archway, wooden beams, a glowing hearth, and a ceiling-mounted Christmas tree, blending rustic warmth with sacred symbolism.

“Altogether, the exhibit reminds us that Christmas is a living tradition that unites us across time, culture and imagination,” said Joel Benitez, president of the graduating batch.

Benitez added that the showcase also demonstrates how design education can be both creative and culturally anchored.

The Designs of Christmas Exhibit opens to the public on September 27 and runs until October 31 at GH Tower, Greenhills.