Barchan + Architecture: Preserving memories & legacies
Architecture is both art and science as it deals with design and construction. But it is also about culture and heritage and preserving the identity of a nation.
In other words, architecture is also about heart. It’s about dreams.
Couple Jason Buensalido and Nikki Boncan-Buensalido, both high-achieving architects from the University of Santo Tomas, have art and heart tucked in their sensibilities. As stewards of Barchan + Architecture, formerly Buensalido Architects, they are a tandem of curiosity and creativity, a force to reckon with. The change in name of their architectural firm in April 2024 — that coincided with the release of their book Shifting Sands written by architect Edson Cabalfin with foreword by National Artist Ben Cabrera — resonates with the heart of the Buensalido couple.
“The shift in name is a statement that none of the projects we handle are done by just one person. Everyone in the firm, from the newest to the most seasoned, contributes to all our designs. So, it’s unfair to have just one name on the wall, right?” says Jason, the firm’s principal architect and chief design ambassador.
A barchan, Jason explains, is a crescent-shaped sand dune found in deserts, shaped by wind.
“Barchans, while appearing, disappearing, reappearing, don’t consume natural resources…Similarly, architecture should be crafted sustainably, ensuring resources are utilized to maintain and enhance nature, not deplete it,” he says.
Asia’s best architectural design firm
Their art and heart, in full display as their architectural firm has been designing and building dreams and goals of people for the last 19 years, recently got the nod of the prestigious Asia Architect Design Awards (AADA). Barchan + Architecture bagged the 2025 Asia’s Best Architectural Design Firm in Architecture Design, and their project called “Terraces at Dao” claimed the 2025 Asia’s Best Commercial Building Architecture Design. AADA awarding is on July 25 in Seoul, South Korea.
The recognition reaffirms that Barchan + Architecture, a name in the industry that is synonymous with sustainability and adaptability, is a powerhouse of contemporary and innovative design that incorporates local culture and aspirations of its people. Other partners at the firm are architects Emereauldine Eliseo, Jerome Bautista and Marcelo Philippe Ramirez.
The AADA, according to its website, “recognizes the best in the industry, celebrates creativities, inspirations and innovations in architecture, interior design, architectural product design and individual works.”
“From the very start of our practice, we have been clear about the kind of architecture we wanted to produce — architecture that amplifies the sense of place and responds to its context in a contemporary way, celebrates our distinct culture and identity in new ways, and inspires/causes positive change,” says Jason.
“We have no idea on the exact reasons why we won as we were not exposed to the judging process, but for the Best Architecture Design Firm award, perhaps it is because of the aspirations of our collective to transform lives and communities in a positively impactful way, through the variety of architectural projects that we produce in typology and in scale,” says Nikki, the firm’s associate architect and VP of culture and civic affairs.
Jason adds: “For the Best Commercial Building project, perhaps it is because of the fact that despite being a warehouse, the building was able to spark development in the neighborhood to eventually create a community. The vibrant colors and massive scale don’t overwhelm but offer a vision of a hopeful future, suggesting a path for Philippine Architecture to embody collective identity and ideals.”
Telling stories, dreams, ideals
Jason and Nikki say the design principle of Barchan + Architecture is to amplify and tell stories of dreams, goals, ideals and aspirations through timeless and unforgettable experiences.
“Architecture is therefore a means to preserve memories and therefore legacies but enables more of both to still be created over time,” says Jason.
Nikki adds: “As much as we believe that architecture is shaped by context, we also believe in architecture that shapes us and our society towards advancement and the greater good. As much as it is about physicality, space, and feelings, it must put people first. Architecture must be a means to uplift ways of living and improve society through encouraging connections with various scales of community.”
Because architecture is also about people and the community they live in, Jason, Nikki and their partners at Barchan + Architecture believe in the concept of “optimistic architecture and positive change.”
“Filipinos, through a consistent stream of challenges, have developed a strong resilient spirit. But if it is the kind of resilience that allows exclusivity and imbalance to prosper, then this should be corrected.
“The other kind of resilience that the Filipinos have is the relentless capacity to hope for a better tomorrow...This hopefulness causes us to think positively despite the gravity of our problems and instills in us a deep desire to celebrate constantly each and every reason that we have. This optimism, positivity, and hope is what we believe Filipino architecture should be about,” Jason explains.
The couple say their firm is absolute on promoting identity, culture, built heritage and nation-building.
“We still have a strong sense of colonial mentality in the Philippines…This has prevailed to contemporary society as proven by foreign-themed developments in malls, villages, among others.
“If we allow architecture from foreign cultures to surround us, what then will happen to our own? If architecture shapes us, then it is only a matter of time before our built heritage will be wiped out by architecture from other parts of the world,” Jason says.
Devoted to their kids
Jason and Nikki are serious about their work. And they are also seriously in love with each other.
“Having a spouse who is also an architect allows more understanding and empathy towards each other, especially when the demands of the profession require one to make certain sacrifices such as time away from the family,” Jason says. He and Nikki have two precocious young daughters, Annika and Nadia. To their children, despite their heavy workload, they are devoted.
“With an architect spouse, one is able to wrap one’s head around each other’s dreams and aspirations,” concludes Jason. *
(For your new beginnings, e-mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com. I’m also on Twitter @bum_tenorio and Instagram @bumtenorio. Have a blessed weekend.)
