Genteel meets contemporary in Citadines Bacolod
Celebrations, the arts scene, flavorful desserts, rich old architecture, the relaxing vibe where time seems to move at a slower rate—these are just some of the draws of Negros, especially in the summer.
There is, too, the unstoppable growth of Bacolod City, and HBA Manila Design Office kept all those feels in mind when designing interiors for the Citadines group’s recently opened hotel in Bacolod.
HBA Manila Design Office created the Citadines Bacolod’s interiors to feature the unique flavor and spirit of Negros. The international 200-unit serviced apartments and facilities include a ballroom, meeting rooms, swimming pool, gym, and restaurant. Because The Citadines Bacolod is situated in a dynamic commercial and lifestyle hub in this swiftly developing city, the design team ensured that the rich Negrense heritage would not be drowned out in all the 21st-century trappings around it.
Norman Agleron, HBA Partner and HBA Manila Design Group Principal, said that the design aim was to marry the Citadines brand of “where you can live, work, and play at the cities you love” and the smiles and festivals Negros has been known for.
More specifically, it was to showcase Bacolod Rising, and Negros Occidental moving into the New Age. “The Citadines Bacolod marks a new milestone for the Southeast Asia’s City of Smiles as being its first international hotel brand. The hotel’s addition to the city skyline signifies Bacolod’s unprecedented growth.The (interior) design is inspired by Negros Occidental’s ascent from a sleepy province known for its majestic scenery and idyllic haciendas to a major business hub in the Philippines’ southern region,” said Agleron.
Led by senior project designer Architect Ice Lagman, this concept was executed throughout the hotel with a rhythmic play of layers, forms, and clean lines that are elegant, soothing, and uncomplicated. “Through the subtle application of Bacolod’s craftmanship in the textures, materials, and color palette—from the fluid textured walls and flooring patterns, down to the furniture and artworks—we worked to guarantee that the interiors alone adequately commemorate the people and their heritage,” Lagman said.
The concept of locally traditional + globally modern is most significantly showcased in the lobby, where one is greeted by the famous Bacolod’s craft, the “Libon Kwadro” or woven pandan basket. “By expressing it in the pendant lights, it got transformed using modern elements. The design sought to express different forms and patterns to be applied in the interior, contrasted with organic movements against the rigid backdrop,” explained Agleron.
The Citadines Bacolod is yet another project where the HBA Manila Design Team was able to carry out the HBA brand of expertly celebrating the local spirit in a world-class design setting. After this project, the design group will continue with the work lined up for the rest of the year, as it looks forward to many more ways to learn about new places and cultures while continuously growing in the world of interior design.
“The hospitality industry is ever-changing. There’s always something new, and designs continuously evolve. This challenges me to be more creative and imaginative in achieving inspirational and aspirational designs,” said Lagman.
To that, Agleron added, “We see ourselves working on more hospitality projects that would inspire, challenge, and bring our expertise in interior design to the next level. With the ever-evolving technology and trends, and with our diverse clients that belong to different generations, we continue to educate ourselves and enhance our creativity to give our clients a unique sense of place each time.”
