I wanted to be an architect and build houses as a child, but math and I weren't meant to be together. So I was really psyched when Jason and Nikki Buensalido of Buensalido Architects agreed to have their creative space photographed. They are the awesome husband and wife team who designed Kenji Tei Ramen House in Greenbelt 5, DMCI's Sofia Townhouse in Taguig, and broadcast journalist Ces Drilon's condo. A peek inside their edgy pink office and one would instantly grasp how innovative and dynamic their creative energy is. :)
Jason and Nikki's own home is also a reflection of the duo's very modern mindset. Check out a feature of their house here www.online.wsj.com.
Jason and Nikki's own home is also a reflection of the duo's very modern mindset. Check out a feature of their house here www.online.wsj.com.
Jason and Nikki Buensalido of Buensalido Architects
(Makati City, Philippines)
Occupation: Architects
Website: www.buensalidoarchitects.com
Favorite toy as a child:
Jason: Scaled models of airplanes, aircraft carriers, tanks, etc.
Nikki: Jackstones and crayons!
Favorite toy now:
J: MacBook pro
N: MacBook pro, sketchbook, cellphone, colored pencils and colored pens
Turn-ons:
J: A creative mind
N: Nice eyes and a cute smile
Turn-offs:
J: Dark elbows and stinky armpits
N: People who think they own the world
What are 5 things that inspire you right now?
J: Nikki Boncan-Buensalido, my wife
My travels
My new house
My family
Every project with an opportunity to influence people's lives through design
N: Jason, colorful things, creative tidbits, creative processes, things that make the mind work, arts and crafts, modern architecture, and out of the box thinking with avant garde ideas and solutions
Who are you influences?
J: My parents, Ayn Rand
N: My family
For work - Joey Yupangco, Rem Koolhaas, Bjarke Ingel's group (a relatively young architectural firm in Denmark)
Modern designs and ideas
Top 5 movies:
J: Last of the Mohicans
Lord of the Rings
Spiderman
Star Wars
The Fountainhead
N: A Walk to Remember
The Lake House
One More Chance
Notting Hill
50 First Dates
Top 5 books:
J: Lord of the Rings
Fountainhead
Alchemy
A Walk to Remember
Steve Jobs biography
N: The Bible
Design Yourself by Karim Rashid
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Star Girl
Tipping Point
Music you listen to:
J: Alternative rock
N: Alternative and Manila sound
5 Favorite websites:
Youtube
Facebook
Yahoo
When you're not busy with work, what do you do in your free time?
J: Spend quality time with my wife and family, fix up our new house, travel, wakeboard, and think of work
N: I just got married, so my husband and I are busy fixing up the house. I want to go back to painting and arts & crafts. That's my next project!
If you were to choose a different job, what would it be?
J: Advertising or sculpture
N: I would probably be in real estate or in the jewelry business
If you can have any super power, what would it be?
J: To be able to rebuild poorly planned cities with a flick of a finger
N: I would love to fly and to be able to stop time
What is the biggest problem of the world right now?
J: Selfishness, self-centeredness, and lack of care towards each other and the environment. Apathy.
N: People are so used to technology that they're dependent on it and they forget about the environment
What do you think is the solution:
J: Is for everyone to feel how it is to suffer, even for just a while, so that they will realize the importance of things
N: Awareness and practice of conserving the environment in small ways
What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far?
J: Don't trust anyone else except yourself and your family. If you want something to happen, insist for it to occur with a combination of will power, luck, and faith. Before you know it, the universe will conspire for it to happen.
N: Make the most out of every moment in life. Faith and prayer will bring you as far as you will it to. Trust that God is in control of your life and you will not have to worry about anything else.
Most inspiring statement/moment (heard/said/read):
J: When she said "Yes" :)
N: If you are truly passionate and enjoy what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life.
