SIKLAB 2024: Beyond Boundaries; The Next Wave of Design
From May 29 to 31, 2024, the Benilde Interior Design Program illuminated the D+A Campus with SIKLAB 2024: Beyond Boundaries; The Next Wave of Design -an annual design event that not only celebrated creativity but also redefined the very essence of Interior Design in a rapidly evolving world. This year’s theme shone a light on progress, innovation, and adaptability, while paying homage to Interior Design’s enduring role in shaping human experience, community, and culture.
Honoring Progress and Human Experience
At its core, SIKLAB 2024 reflected the intersection of design, technology, and empathy. The theme “Beyond Boundaries” symbolized the limitless potential of Interior Designers to influence how people live, work, and connect. It explored design not just as a profession, but as a social force, one that fosters inclusivity, sustainability, and emotional well-being. The event encouraged participants to reflect on Interior Design as a lived experience: how spaces can empower communities, support diverse needs, and tell stories of resilience and change. It reminded attendees that design is not static — it evolves alongside society, technology, and culture.
A highlight of the event was the exhibition featuring the most outstanding works of Benilde Interior Design students. Each display represented a fusion of technical mastery and conceptual depth from spatial design innovations to sustainable material studies. Visitors witnessed a vivid tapestry of ideas, as students reimagined interiors that respond to today’s shifting lifestyles, environmental challenges, and digital transformations.
The exhibition also included a retrospective on the program’s milestones, tracing the evolution of the Interior Design curriculum at Benilde. It celebrated the program’s growth, achievements, and contributions to Philippine design education, while reaffirming its mission to nurture designers who think critically, act compassionately, and design consciously.
The three-day celebration wasn’t just about showcasing design, it was about sharing knowledge. The seminar sessionsbrought together industry professionals, educators, and alumni to discuss the future of design practice in an era defined by technology and adaptability. Speakers explored topics such as AI-assisted design tools, sustainable building practices, and human-centered spaces, offering insights that bridged academia and real-world application.
SIKLAB 2024 emphasized that today’s Interior Designers are more than stylists or planners – they are innovators, storytellers, and catalysts of change. As technology reshapes the design landscape, designers are challenged to integrate digital tools while maintaining the emotional and human aspects of their craft.
Through every discussion, display, and dialogue, the event reaffirmed the profession’s commitment to adaptability, connection, and knowledge-sharing. It underscored the value of perspectives, of seeing design not just through form and function, but through empathy, sustainability, and cultural identity.
Event Date: MAY 29-31, 2024
Event Venue: D+A Campus
SDG Numbers: 4, 9, 11, 13-15
