A fourth-year architecture student from the University of Northern Philippines has brought Filipino design thinking to the global stage after emerging as one of the standout winners in the TFT Global Student Competition 2026, with a concept rooted in memory, cultural identity, and climate resilience.
For Brylle Mari Layne, architecture is not simply about form or aesthetics, but an act of response. One that reflects community needs and confronts environmental and social challenges.
“I’ve always believed that we should design beyond aesthetics; it should respond to real community needs, preserve local identity, and solve pressing social and environmental challenges,” he added.
That idea became the foundation of his concept, which began with a guiding question: How can architecture preserve fading heritage while keeping it alive for future generations?
His design is set in a riverfront landscape once central to trade and daily life, now weakened by urban pressure and changing lifestyles. Instead of restoring the past as it was, he reimagines it as a living system where memory evolves through contemporary design, sustainability, and flexible spaces.
Beyond cultural preservation, the project responds to climate vulnerability in heritage communities in Vigan, where extreme weather events have increasingly threatened infrastructure and livelihoods.
“It aims to provide a resilient space that protects these cultural livelihoods, preserves heritage, and strengthens the community’s ability to adapt and recover,” Layne said.
The concept is also shaped by lived experience. Growing up near a river, Layne witnessed how flooding could quickly disrupt lives and livelihoods, shaping his commitment to design that responds to risk and reality.
Throughout the process, he balanced storytelling with functionality, integrating heritage-driven narratives with sustainability, adaptability, and user-centered design.
For Layne, the international recognition of his project is an opportunity to highlight Filipino perspectives in global design discourse.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my ideas and bring our culture forward on a global platform, honoring and celebrating the creativity and excellence of young Filipino designers,” he said.
Ultimately, his work reflects a broader message: architecture is not only about preserving history, but about shaping spaces that help communities endure and adapt in the future.
