Third-year B.S. Interior Design student Manuel Cynric Yee achieved a remarkable recognition at the Singapore Design Excellence Awards 2024, winning both the prestigious Best Student Award and a Gold Award in the Hospitality Design on December 6, 2024, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore.
Yee’s project, “Bambusa Paraiso,” stands as a powerful biophilic fusion of luxury and nature. He integrated bamboo columns, vibrant green walls, and mindfully sourced local and natural materials such as wood and stone, the design not only highlights sustainability but also creates an immersive experience that blurs the boundaries between the interior and the outdoors.
Under the full mentorship of IDr. Hermie Ray O. Oplado, Manuel’s innovative spatial design concepts were further recognized at the Spatial Design Awards (SPADE). Earlier this year, he also placed third in the American Standard Design Award 2024 (ASDA) for his work “Yubi” in the Philippine region, further solidifying his talent and vision.
These prestigious awards not only showcase Manuel’s outstanding abilities but also emphasize the excellence of our Interior Design program, which continues to nurture some of the brightest talents in the field.
For four years in a row, USC has produced winners in the same international competition. In 2023, John Brix Cruza secured the Silver Award; Basil Rico Gahi won Silver and Bronze medals in two different categories in 2022, and four Carolinians bagged the Silver Award in 2021.
by IDr. Hermie Ray O. Oplado, Department of Architecture