The Philippine School of Interior Design–Ahlen Institute (PSID-Ahlen) is giving the country’s most beloved holiday a fresh look and feel with its 48th graduation showcase, the Designs of Christmas Exhibit (D.O.C.E.), unveiled at a press launch at GH Tower in Greenhills.
The exhibit features 12 student-designed installations that reinterpret Christmas through culture, color, character, and chronology. Moving beyond the classic red-and-green palette, the booths highlight how Filipino design sensibilities continue to evolve, blending heritage with contemporary style and personal expression.
“Through the years, Filipinos have evolved in their design sensibilities,” said interior designer and PSID professor Pojie Pambid. “Gone are the days when houses were decorated with giant spoon-and-fork sets or tinikling dancers on the wall. Today, design is more curated, more personalized, and more experimental, even during Christmas.”
The 12 design concepts
- Brutalism. A raw yet festive entertainment room with concrete partitions, breeze blocks, and coffered ceilings softened by warm lighting, encouraging traditional play and conversation away from digital distractions.
- Victorian. Inspired by the grandeur of the Victorian era with steampunk accents. Bold colors, brass finishes, and Arcane-inspired ornamentation create a space that feels historic yet imaginative.
- Art Deco. A Manhattan-inspired setting where formal glamour meets Bohemian warmth. Deep green walls, gold accents, velvet seating, and a feathered tree convey elegance and nostalgia.
- Mexican. Drawing from Las Posadas, this booth blends solemn lighting with vibrant Otomi patterns and papel picado-inspired panels, reflecting reverence and joy.
- Brazilian. A lively fusion of Rio Carnival and Filipino Christmas. Curves, warm wood, and tropical textures capture rhythm, energy, and celebration.
- Filipino. Simoy ng Pasko – A dining lanai inspired by Simbang Gabi. An achromatic palette, soft greens, and natural textures evoke faith, serenity, and togetherness.
- Velvet Frost. Inspired by chocolate plum and mint hues, this living room pairs a hand-painted floral mural with a sculptural tree lamp, offering a modern take on holiday lighting.
- Liloura Lush. A soft, elegant space defined by lilac, icy blue, and ivory tones. Both festive and timeless, it balances beauty with function.
- Spiced Ember. A whisky lounge concept in russet, orange, and flame hues. Layered textures and sculptural accents reflect warmth and refined holiday intimacy.
- Noël Aurora. An Icelandic-inspired room shifting from daylight tones to crystalline hues at night, echoing the Northern Lights through texture and illumination.
- Urban Cosmopolitan. A geometric bachelor pad with clean lines, angular furniture, and a statement red tree, combining boldness with comfort.
- Rustic Soirée. Evoking a French provincial Christmas Eve, this booth features a stone archway, wooden beams, a hearth, and a ceiling-mounted tree, blending rustic warmth with sacred symbolism.
A living tradition through design
“Altogether, the exhibit reminds us that Christmas is a living tradition that unites us across time, culture, and imagination,” said Joel Benitez, president of the graduating batch.
Benitez added that the showcase demonstrates how design education can be both creative and culturally anchored.
The Designs of Christmas Exhibit opens to the public on September 27 and runs until October 31 at GH Tower, Greenhills.
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