Saint Benilde student proposes design for new Divisoria 

An architecture student from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts won an award for his proposed design for new Divisoria in Manila.

Nikko Sale Regalado drew up a plan for tower called The Cube that will provide spaces for various economic levels in the trade district.

“Design needs to be inclusive and should not exclude. The Cube encourages our urban setting to become a more people-oriented community where we provide merchants with a dignified space through proper planning,” he said in a statement.

The Cube is structured to allow for natural rainwater collection and distribution, and to reduce flooding in the area. It will also have solar panels and strips at the south and west sides “to counter and absorb high thermal inertia.”

Regalado proposed the use of algae technology to reduce carbon monoxide emissions in the market. He also included a site development plans that would use fly ash as an alternative to asphalt and concrete.

He also pushed for color coding each area in Divisoria to make it easier for consumers to find the hubs for fabrics and garments, toys, shoes, fruits and vegetables, among others.

The proposed Cube received the Best Colour Choice Award in Architecture at the Nippon Paint Asia Young Designer Award, the Philippine edition of the prestigious Asia Young Designer Awards.