In the Philippines, the holiday season is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a feeling. It’s the scent of puto bumbong on the crisp December air, the warm glow of parol lighting up the streets, and the sound of laughter echoing through homes filled with family. Now, a new wave of interior design is seeking to capture that very essence, moving beyond traditional decor to create fully immersive, experiential environments.
At the forefront of this movement is The Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID)-Ahlen Institute, which is nurturing a generation of designers who are redefining what it means to design for the holidays. They are blending rich Filipino traditions with global influences and innovative concepts to create spaces that don’t just look beautiful, but feel transformative.
The Rise of Experiential Design
Globally, the trend of experiential interior design has been taking root, shifting the focus from aesthetics alone to emotional engagement. This philosophy champions spaces that tell a story, stimulate the senses, and forge deep emotional connections. For the holidays—a time intrinsically linked to nostalgia, creativity, and community—this approach feels particularly potent.
PSID-Ahlen students are leading this charge in the Philippines, responding to a growing desire for interiors that connect and engage on a multisensory level. Their work demonstrates that a holiday home can be more than a decorated space; it can be a journey, a memory, and an experience.
“The upcoming exhibit delves into Christmas styling and decorating as a major driving force in introducing holiday trends amid impeccable interior designed spaces,” said Pojie Pambid, PSID-Ahlen’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. “The exhibiting class of 2025 promises its viewers a variety of styles and trends guaranteed to inspire, setting the stage for a new way of designing for the holidays.”
Concepts That Transport You
The school’s approach is best illustrated through the visionary concepts of its students, which serve as a preview of this new design ethos:
Perlas Restaurant: This concept is a love letter to the Philippine archipelago. It honors the nation’s maritime beauty by blending the allure of its many islands with the deeply ingrained Filipino love for food and social interaction. It’s designed to be a space where shared meals become immersive experiences, surrounded by the narrative of the sea.
Polynesian Pool House: An ambitious, imagined three-story resto-house that captures the vibrant spirit of Polynesian culture. This concept explores how traditional patterns, natural textures, and ancient storytelling can be woven together to create a meaningful and layered dining experience. Each floor offers guests a deeper immersion into a different aspect of the culture.
Greek Mediterranean Home: This design is a tranquil escape. It conceptualizes a home where every element—from the furniture and accessories to the textures and materials—transports guests to the serenity of the Greek Isles. It’s a perfect relaxation haven for those seeking to immerse themselves in the calm and beauty of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Ultimate Showcase: Designs of Christmas Exhibit (D.O.C.E.)
This trend culminates in PSID-Ahlen’s highly anticipated annual exhibit for its graduating class, the Designs of Christmas Exhibit (D.O.C.E.). Slated to open on September 27, 2025, at the GH Tower in Greenhills, this year’s exhibit is poised to be a landmark event.
D.O.C.E. 2025 will feature four distinct galleries, each designed to immerse visitors in a different facet of the holiday experience:
- Christmas as a journey through time.
- Christmas as a reflection of character.
- Christmas experienced through color.
- Christmas viewed from a cultural perspective.
This exhibit promises to be more than a display of talent; it will be a masterclass in how interior design can evoke emotion and create lasting memories, setting the stage for the future of holiday design in the Philippines. Under PSID-Ahlen’s guidance, the Filipino home is being reimagined not just as a place to celebrate the season, but as the very heart of the holiday experience itself.#
