ARCHITECTURE students of Ateneo de Davao University grabbed the juror's choice for Mindanao in the recent Gawad Kalinga-Metrobank Designer Village Challenge (DVC) held last september at the Le Pavillon in Pasay City.

The design competition was intended to gather the best ideas for cost-effective, but very liveable designs for Gawad Kalinga houses.

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"The Mindanao winner from the College of Architecture of the Ateneo de Davao University was chosen for their environmentally-sensitive site plan as well as the modernized yet traditional house typology. Both design approaches exude warth of design and pride of place," said Architect Paulo Alcazaren, member of the board of judges.

Entries were sent in by architecture and interior design students from all over the country.

The Mindanao winners are Ateneo's Harold Jay Delima, Donna Golingay, Kristopher Angelo Nasser, Angelo Raymund Uy and Dave Francis Yangyang. While celebrating their victory with them is faculty member Renato S. Basa.

The Juror's Choice for Luzon are Jeff Ian Bernaldez, Michael Earvin Germino, Manuel Hermano, Sarang Lim and Vanessa Villegas from the University of Santo Tomas, while from Visayas are Jan Michael Con-ui, Joseph Jakin Lee and Christian Mantala from San Carlos University (Visayas).

"The Best Designs for the Least of Society," that's what the DVC is all about. It is a special project undertaken by Gawad Kalinga and Metrobank Foundation intended to raise the standards of excellence in building communities for the poor by engaging fourth year and fifth year architecture, interior design and landscape architecture students to design a GK village.

With the theme "Sustainable and Eco-Designed GK Village," the students used sustainable architectural design solutions and sustainable development principles in their entries while considering the lifestyle, financial status, and needs of the GK community.

Leading the panel of judges is renowned architect Franciso Mañosa, who has to his name the Coconut Palace, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, and Amanpulo in Palawan, among several structures that blends design and the environment.

Aside from Archt. Alcazaren, the other members of the board of judges are Archt. William Coscolluela, interior designer Leo Almeria, and Philippine Daily Inquirer chairman of the board Marixi Prieto. (SAE)