Built environments don’t just serve functional purposes—they preserve narratives and address societal needs while shaping cultural identity. As societal norms shift, Barchan + Architecture adapts its approach in tandem. Leading this progressive movement are Jason Buensalido, the firm’s Principal Architect, and Nikki Buensalido, its Vice President of Culture and Civic Affairs, who guide its visionary trajectory.
Jason Buensalido expresses, “We know that the built environment shapes us. If we don’t do our part in shaping it, especially with who we are, our identity as Filipinos, in the built environment, then it’s just a matter of time [before] our identity will fade away.”
The Decentralization of Design
Jason Buensalido believes in the deviation from the traditional narrative of architecture, expressing that architecture firms are not operated by a single person. Rather, it is the work of a collective group that allows it to exist. Barchan operates on the principle that a collective can champion and achieve a shared vision.
For Barchan, that vision is utilizing architecture as a powerful instrument for positive transformation. The unified purpose of the team is to establish architectural solutions to address and overcome societal ills and challenges. The firm’s strength lies in the diverse mix of backgrounds, education, and experiences of its members.
Nikki Buensalido expresses, “It’s not just a building. It has to be an experience that we create as architects, so that we can also be a sparkplug of optimism and change in the community and the stakeholders we cater to.”
Breaking Colonial Mentality
Jason Buensalido believes in taking pride in one’s own culture. It is essential to shift away from the long-standing “multigenerational challenge” of colonial mentality. In architecture, this is seen in developments from the past where themed villages featuring styles, like Mediterranean, Swiss, and American colonial, dominated.
This transition from foreign emulation to genuine cultural expression in design is what signifies a form of breaking ground, or moving toward an innovative direction in architecture. Jason Buensalido asserts, “We need to reflect our culture, our sociocultural behaviors, in architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary, and celebrate and amplify it.”
In the context of Filipino culture, Barchan follows the standard design thinking process—empathizing, asking, ideating, prototyping, and repeating—but distinguishes itself through its approach to ideation. This stage goes beyond the immediate problem to incorporate deep insights derived from Filipino culture, including social behaviors and the plurality of the Filipino identity.
Nikki Buensalido believes in drawing inspiration from one’s roots, both in the physical and emotional sense. “I think you should never forget your roots,” she shares, highlighting the importance of understanding the intangible aspects of Filipino life.
The firm’s approach to architecture is centered around the idea that culture is one of the most important aspects of architecture, providing richness and meaning to societies and civilizations. Jason Buensalido states, “We believe that culture is one of the most important aspects of architecture, because it provides richness and meaning to societies and civilizations.”
Evolution and Cultural Expression
As Barchan continues to evolve, its commitment to cultural expression and positive change remains a core aspect of its mission. By integrating Filipino culture, sustainability, and progressive solutions into structures, the firm strives to create buildings that are not only functional but also emotionally resonant.
The firm’s emphasis on collaboration and collective effort is a key factor in its success. Jerome Bautista, Associate Architect, adds, “As a firm, we believe in co-creating. It doesn’t really matter if you’re a junior architect who’s been with us for a year or a partner who’s been with us for 20 years. Every voice matters.”
This approach allows Barchan to craft the best solutions together, valuing everybody’s point of view. The firm’s strength lies in its ability to balance client needs with its own core belief system, requiring clients to clearly communicate their values via Barchan’s platform.
By doing so, the firm ensures a fundamental understanding and alignment of vision before formal engagement. While architectural design is influenced by goals such as legacy, financial considerations, marketing, and sellability, Barchan’s values are equally critical in shaping the final architectural outcome.
Sustainable Design Practices
In the Philippines, Barchan is working to preserve natural resources by choosing to work around existing trees and recycling natural resources. Nikki Buensalido states, “We try, as much as possible, to not touch a lot of natural resources. We try to work with that, or we recycle natural resources.”
The firm’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its approach to design, where it prioritizes the use of natural resources and minimizes waste. Jason Buensalido adds, “We frown on just talking about sustainability because we believe that it is a standard across all projects.”
As Barchan looks to the future, its emphasis on cultural expression, sustainability, and collaboration remains a core aspect of its mission. The firm’s architectural projects are a reflection of its commitment to positive change, driven by the mindset that architecture has the capacity for positive transformation.
