Topic

Clearing-Out of Educational Designs and Posters in

the Interiors of Learning Facilities in Schools.
Title
The Effect of Clearing-Out of the Educational
Designs and Posters in the Interiors of Learning
Facilities at Alangilan Central Elementary School to
the Learners of School Year 2023-2024

Review Related Literature

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, in a statement read by

DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa during a radio
interview on Aug. 21, maintained that the directive stated in DepEd Order No.
21 or the 2023 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines stands. (Merlina
Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin)

“The order is what it is,” Duterte said. “Take out everything on the wall [and]
let learners focus on their studies,” (Duterte 2023)

Student performance in school has been shown to have a relationship to the

quality of the building (Chan & Richardson, 2005).

Interior design plays a crucial role in creating an environment that promotes

student well-being. A comfortable and inviting learning environment can
significantly enhance student engagement, improve academic outcomes, and
create a sense of belonging for students.

One of the key elements of effective interior design is the use of natural light.
Natural light has been shown to improve mood, increase productivity, and
enhance overall well-being. Schools should, therefore, prioritize the use of
natural light in classrooms, common areas, and other learning spaces. They
should also ensure that artificial lighting is designed to be soft, even, and
comfortable for students.

Comfortable seating is another essential element of interior design that can

significantly impact student well-being. Students spend long hours sitting in
classrooms, and uncomfortable chairs can lead to physical discomfort and
distractions, which can negatively affect their academic performance.
Therefore, schools should invest in comfortable seating options that are
ergonomically designed to provide adequate support for students.

In addition to seating and lighting, calming colors and textures can create a
relaxing and welcoming environment that supports student learning. The use
of soft colors, such as blues and greens, can create a calming effect, while
textures such as natural wood and plants can add warmth and visual interest
to learning spaces.

The design of classrooms, common areas, and other learning spaces should
be tailored to meet the needs of students. Schools should consider the
different learning styles and preferences of students when designing these
spaces. They should also provide spaces for group work, individual study, and
relaxation to promote a sense of community and belonging among students.

Interior design plays a critical role in promoting student well-being in

educational settings. Schools should prioritize the use of natural light,
comfortable seating, calming colors, and textures to create a welcoming and
relaxing environment that supports student learning. The design of
classrooms, common areas, and other learning spaces should be tailored to
meet the needs of students and promote a sense of community and belonging.

Interior Architectural design plays an important role in many aspects of

student learning. From the chairs students sit on to the colors on the walls,
design choices have the ability to support an active learning environment.
These design elements subtly reinforce a district’s commitment toward
student success.

What story do you want to tell? Do you want your students to feel engaged
and welcome as well as your teachers to feel supported? By implementing
creative concepts of interior design, you are fostering these emotions.

Regardless of the country, good school facilities help determine the success
of students and the effectiveness of a teacher’s lesson. However, with tight
budgets and staff costs, the condition of school facilities is often further down
the list of priorities.

Studies show that school facilities have an impact on the overall school
experience of students and teachers. According to an article by PennState
University, school facilities affect teacher recruitment and retention. More
importantly, they also affect the health, behaviour and engagement of the
students. Thus, adequate facilities make it easier for the school to deliver
better education.

Many parents often do not consider the quality of school facilities as a factor
in choosing a school for their children, looking only at exam rates. Good
equipment and facilities are part of a school’s holistic approach to improving
the learning environment and balancing academics with other important non-
curriculum activities, whether science lab facilities or sports equipment. When
a school invests in facilities, the benefits to the school go far beyond the initial
capital costs.
 References

[1] Malipot, M.H (2023), Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/22/take-

out-everything-dep-ed-stands-firm-on-having-clean-functional-classrooms
[2] Chan and Richardson (2005), Global Service in Education.
https://www.gsineducation.com/blog/interior-design-of-schools
[3] Global Service in Education (2023), Creating a Welcoming Environment
Through Interior Design of Schools.
https://www.gsineducation.com/blog/interior-design-of-schools
[4] Creative Concepts of Interior Design for School Buildings (2019), HMC
Architects. https://hmcarchitects.com/news/creative-concepts-of-interior-
design-for-school-buildings-2019-07-26/
[5] Andrews A. (2019), How School Facilities Improve A Child’s School
Experience. https://www.fresconews.com/how-school-facilities-improve-a-
childs-school-experience/
 Topic
Implementation of Gender Neutral Bathrooms
Inside the Public Premises.
Title
Inclusivity: An Experimental Study on the Effects of
Including Gender Neutral Bathrooms Inside the
Public Premises.

Review Related Literature

The modern-day gender-neutral bathroom is simply a public toilet that is

accessible and designed for the use of any gender group. It can take the form
of a single-user toilet, similar to those in private residences, or as a multi-user
communal bathroom. Single-user toilets are straightforward in design - a
washbasin and water closet enclosed in a private room. This typology
maintains the privacy of the user and has worked well in shared environments.
Multi-user public toilets, on the other hand, have required modifications in
their designs to better cater to the public’s concerns.

Unisex bathrooms are becoming increasingly popular - but it’s still a

contentious subject in some quarters. Just look at the ‘bathroom bill’ debate
that’s currently raging on the other side of the Atlantic.

In this article, we’ll wade through the moral arguments for and against unisex
bathrooms, and also lay out some of the practical considerations you’ll need
to keep in mind when designing your own.

The pros
In recent years, society has made huge strides towards gender equality - but
unfortunately, we still have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to
washrooms. It may not be obvious on the face of it, but traditional bathroom
design has always favoured men: women tend to use the bathroom more
frequently than males because, on the whole, women have smaller bladders.
Unlike males, they also need to attend to matters of feminine hygiene.

Women also take longer to use the bathroom, not only because they need to
urinate in a seated position, but also because women’s clothing (tights, skirts
etc.) is generally more restrictive.

The problem is that even though women use the bathroom more frequently
and take a longer time to do so, male and female bathrooms have always
tended to be the same size. This results in long, uncomfortable queues for the
ladies’ room. Queuing for the toilet isn’t something men have to deal with - so
why should women? Unisex bathrooms would go a long way towards leveling
the playing field and helping to ensure so-called ‘line equality’.
Gender neutral washrooms are also far more inclusive for transgender people.
Deciding which bathroom to use is a common problem for people who identify
as transgender; in a recent US survey of transgender people, nearly one in
ten respondents reported that they’d been denied access to a bathroom in the
past year. It’s a sad fact that transgender people can also face taunting,
threats, and even violence for using the ‘wrong’ bathroom. If unisex
bathrooms were to become the norm, this would no longer be a problem.

Another benefit of unisex bathrooms is that they make it far easier for parents
to accompany children of the opposite sex to the bathroom. Most men would
feel uncomfortable entering a women’s bathroom, and vice-versa; the only
alternative is to let children use the facilities unattended. Although it’s rare,
leaving children unattended in public bathrooms can have tragic
consequences: in 1998, a nine-year-old boy was murdered in a public
restroom when his aunt decided to let him use the men’s bathroom alone.

Finally, there’s another, altogether less high-minded benefit to installing a

unisex bathroom: they save money. By having a single bathroom for all users,
you’ll save your business valuable square footage, which can be put to use for
more commercial purposes. You’ll also need to purchase and install fewer
fixtures overall, which in turn in will reduce the amount of money and time you
spend on maintenance and cleaning.

The cons
Of course, unisex bathrooms are a contentious issue, which is reflected by the
intense media scrutiny to which they’ve been subjected over the past few
years. One of the main concerns of the people who oppose unisex bathrooms
is that they could lead to a rise in sexual assaults. Others may object to them
on religious grounds.

Much of the controversy surrounding gender neutral bathrooms seems to

centre on children. When a state primary school in London fitted unisex
bathrooms, it prompted fury among many parents, and an online petition
against the toilets attracted over a thousand signatures.

Furthermore, many people feel embarrassed by using the toilet around people
of their own gender, much less the opposite gender. Paruresis, or ‘shy
bladder’ syndrome, is form of social anxiety that prevents sufferers from being
able to go to the toilet in the presence of others. It’s thought to affect around 4
million men and women in the UK, although the real total may be far higher -
by its very nature, paruresis tends to be underreported. While there’s no data
on how unisex bathrooms affect bladder shyness, it’s reasonable to assume
that the problem would be compounded by the presence of members of the
opposite sex.

All that said, the increasing prevalence of unisex bathrooms is no doubt a

byproduct of the wider move towards complete gender equality in society in
general. After all, we don’t separate bathrooms by race or religion - so why do
we still segregate them by gender? The likelihood is that those who oppose
unisex bathrooms will soon find themselves on the wrong side of history, and
if social trends are anything to go by, then mixed gender washrooms may well
soon become the norm.

With that in mind, let’s turn our attention to the practical aspects of building a
gender neutral washroom.

Discussions about the rights of transgender people in the workplace are

starting to take place in earnest. Conversations on employees' gender identity,
as well as how to protect and respect individuals who identify as a different
gender than the one they were assigned at birth, are starting to occur. Cities
and states are even establishing laws to ensure that transgender and non-
binary individuals feel safe using the bathroom.

In response to these changes, some companies are offering gender-neutral

bathrooms in the workplace. At Baker McKenzie, a multinational law firm,
there are single-use, gender-neutral bathrooms on each floor of its London
office. "We're cognizant of the shifting demographics and how, in our current
and future world of work, we will have non-binary colleagues," said EMEA D&I
Associate Director Fatima Choudhury. "We're keen to strengthen our position
as an employer where diverse talent can build a career and be successful,
and by working with relevant stakeholders and communicating our progress
and developments, we demonstrate the way in which we're building inclusive
environments for all colleagues."

Companies that want to follow suit and install gender-neutral bathrooms may
find that doing so ultimately benefits their employees and the brand
reputations in many ways, say workplace experts.

As part of its campaign against discrimination, the Manila City government

has mandated all establishments to have gender-neutral toilets by 2023.

“Within 3 years from the passage of this ordinance, there shall be provided
gender-neutral toilets inside the lavatory or comfort room of restaurants, bars,
stores, movie houses, shopping malls, and other similar business
establishments in the City of Manila,” City Ordinance No. 8695 or the Manila
LGBTQI Protection Ordinance of 2020 reads.

Having gender-neutral toilets means allotting toilets that are not labeled by the
traditional “men” and “women” labels, but instead are open for all, regardless
of gender.

“In large establishments, where there are several lavatories or comfort rooms
in each floor, the designation shall be made to a specific floor where gender-
neutral toilets are located,” the ordinance adds.

Feeling safe and comfortable when using the bathroom is usually something
we do not need to think twice about. If we are out for dinner, at a movie or
travelling around the city for the day we do not let the availability of bathrooms
affect where we will go. What about those who do? For some people having
access to gender-neutral bathrooms is the only way they can feel safe enough
to go about their business. Gender-neutral bathrooms, disabled access or not,
allow for use by a wider range of people. This means everyone can live in a
more fair and safe world, especially marginalised groups.
 References

[1] Gattupalli A. (2022), Designing around Debate: The Gender-Neutral

Bathroom. https://www.archdaily.com/984280/designing-around-debate-the-
gender-neutral-bathroom
[2] Washware Essentials 2022
https://www.washwareessentials.co.uk/content/unisex-bathroom
[3] Lobell K.O. (2019) The Benefits of Offering Gender-Neutral Bathrooms in
the Workplace.https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-
compliance/employment-law/pages/gender-neutral-bathrooms-in-the-
workplace.aspx
[4] Talabong R. (2020), Manila businesses ordered to have gender-neutral
toilets. https://www.rappler.com/nation/businesses-manila-ordered-gender-
neutral-toilets-2023-anti-discrimination-ordinance/ )
[5] Atkins C. (2021), Gender Neutral Bathrooms: What Should You Know?
https://www.ideas.org.au/blogs/gender-neutral-bathrooms-a-plus-for-all.html
 Topic
Is it easier for Interior Design Students to
design commercial buildings or residential
spaces?
Title
A Comparative Study Between the Difficulty on
Designing Commercial Buildings and
Residential Spaces On Third Year Interior
Design Students of Batangas State University.

Review Related Literature

Commercial interior design is very challenging and requires experience in
interior design. Like any career, it is also hard work, exciting, and often times
involving long hours, certainly working effectively with team members, and
perhaps dealing with irate clients. However, few interior designers who have
worked in commercial interior design for many years would do anything else.
Whether you are a student considering entering this part of the profession or a
professional considering moving from residential to commercial interior design,
there are important issues to consider when working in commercial interior
design. This section will cover some key concepts about working in the field.
Regardless of the project size, commercial projects require a team of
designers and related professionals. Led by a project manager, the project
team may include interior designers at many different skill and experience
levels. The team may involve architects, lighting designers, engineers, and
consultants--such as, perhaps, a commercial kitchen designer for a restaurant.
Of course, the client is part of that team. There may be many levels of client
team members involved in the decision-making process. Other team
members are contractors and subs hired to build out the project. Thus, being
able to work as part of a team and take directions is critical whether one
works for a small or a large firm.
In addition to the comments in the "Working in a Small versus Working in a
Large Firm" sidebar (p. 12), here are a few considerations concerning what it
is like to work in different kinds of commercial design firms, starting with the
small firm:
Many small firms specialize in order to give better service and expertise to
potential clients. They will rarely have the opportunity to work on glamorous
projects like casinos, large resort hotels, flashy new restaurants, or corporate
headquarters.
However, the experience gained in the small firm provides the entry-level
interior designer with valuable training and skills that can be taken to a larger
firm.
Large firms often specialize but have enough employees to venture into
multiple types of facilities. A designer may specialize or be asked to work on
different types of facilities based on personal experience and interests--and
office needs. You will definitely need to work well with others and willingly take
orders and directions from more senior interior designers. As an entry-level
team member, you may also find yourself spending time doing what may
seem to be drudge work -taking care of the library, endlessly drafting small
project details, and keeping files organized, This is part of the apprenticeship
common in larger firms.
Another place to work in commercial interior design is an office furnishings
dealer-ship. Companies that specialize in offices and feature systems
furniture are great places to begin and maintain a career in commercial
interior design. The interior designers in such companies focus on large
corporate and professional offices. The learning and training received here
prepare many interior designers to move to an interior design firm that might
specialize in hospitality, healthcare, or government facilities.

Residential interior design refers to the designing of people's homes as

opposed to commercial property. The object of these designers is to create
interiors that fit the functioning of clients' homes, but also reflect each client's
personal taste. A home is a personal space and excellent residential interior
design personalizes the designs of homes.

For example, an interior designer could have several homeowner clients that
live in the same complex of cookie cutter condominiums. Effective residential
design would ensure that each condo uniquely fits the homeowner as much
as possible. The color scheme is likely to be different in each home as is the
function and look of the rooms.

Home designs for parents of young children are different from residential
interior design for childless singles. The same three-bedroom apartment
layout needs to be used quite differently in terms of function. Furniture in a
child’s bedroom needs to be easily accessible and fit the child. A childless
single person may use the extra bedroom space as an office or guest
bedroom.

Residential properties are homes or apartments. These might be single-family

houses, townhouses, studios, etc. Most people who invest in residential
property but don’t live in it themselves will rent it out to others, so they can
generate income from the property. This introduces a very specific
relationship between the owner, or landlord, and the tenants. This relationship
is different from the one that exists between commercial landlords and tenants.
This is because, in the case of residential property, the tenants live in the
space, meaning the landlord plays a larger role in their personal lives.

Commercial property, on the other hand, is any property not primarily used as
a residence: office spaces, retail spaces, warehouses, and even hotels.
Commercial property owners may run a business out of their space, but
investors in such properties usually lease them out to other businesses. Lots
of companies would rather rent a space than buy one, to save their capital for
investing in their own business. This means commercial property investment
is supported by the work of other businesses. Simply put, successful
businesses are better commercial tenants than unsuccessful ones, whereas
this is not the case with residential tenants, who are more consistent.

The 3 Key Benefits of Design-Build

Increased owner confidence & satisfaction
Having only one team taking care of all facets of the project, from the budget
to the schedule to the end result, makes it easier for owners to be kept in the
loop at every step. Experienced design-build firms present regular progress
reports, which provides continual opportunities for input and feedback. This
increases the likelihood that the project will meet or exceed expectations.

Additionally, this method enables fewer surprises down the road, as this
interdisciplinary team is consistently sharing their knowledge of the design
and its constructability with each other. At the start, the project is vetted on
both sides for feasibility and cost. Then, as the project gets underway,
frequent and insightful communication helps solve problems quickly, rather
than the team going through more paperwork and delays.

Better budget management

When hiring separate architects and contractors, there is no way of knowing
what parts of the project will be cost-prohibitive until the design has been
completed and goes through the bidding process. Using a design-build
method allows the architecture team to “design to a budget” rather than
“budget a design," so they can come up with creative solutions more quickly
and with less revisions needed.

Additionally, owners save on costs associated with construction administration,

change orders, and project delays later down the line. That's because the
design-build team discusses and manages the budget from the design phase
forward, and they share detailed information about the cost implications of
each decision related to the project.

Faster project completion

From design through completion, design-build projects are delivered 102%

faster than traditional "design-bid-build," according to the Design-Build
Institute of America. Not only does design-build increase timely problem-
solving when the unexpected occurs, but it also allows for construction to
begin before certain stages of design development have been completed.

ADVANTAGES OF USING DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES FOR YOUR

COMMERCIAL INTERIOR BUILDOUT:

SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT

Instead of an owner having to communicate with a general contractor,
architect, engineer, interior designer or planner, and potentially many other
subcontractors and trades to relay input or directives, design-build allows for a
single point of contact between an owner and the design-build entity, which
then also leads to open communication. When changes arise, sometimes a
designer and builder can have opposing ideas. Opposition and blame can
also be attributed to each other for cost, schedule change or delay disputes if
design has a construction issue or vice versa. Dealing with one entity can
mean less obstruction and less risk. Fewer things will fall through the cracks
as well with one entity managing every aspect. This also means that one party,
the design-build entity, has a heavy accountability for the outcome of an
interior design or building project, which is why it is most important to do your
research about a potential design-build entity to make sure they can correctly
understand and fabricate the vision that the owner has and provide
outstanding results.

OPEN COMMUNICATION
When there is a single point of contact, open and honest communication can
more easily occur between owner and design-build entity. There are no tiers
of decision makers to maneuver through to get things achieved and decisions
can be made instantly. From the start, a transparent focus can coalesce
where budget, schedule and expectation can be aligned. Since the owner and
design-build company are on the same team, objectives are the same-to
complete a successful project that exceeds anticipation. There is little
opportunity to divert blame or responsibility to other parties and results must
be achieved. This system also allows the owner to be as involved as they
would like or not like to be, either making sure that their distinct requests are
carried out or allowing a responsible design-build entity to make the right
decision in alignment with the final outcome.

ABILITY TO ADAPT
During construction, there are many challenges that arise even after a solid
architectural and design plan is put into effect. Having the flexibility to correct
or alter design or construction elements as issues occur helps to avoid large
scale and costly problems that could have been prevented in an earlier stage.
By being adaptive, the right decisions in the best interest of the project can be
made. This also allows for more innovative and custom solutions which can
meet better quality and performance standards as opposed to meeting design
constraints.

COST EFFECTIVE
Since the project’s entire scope falls under the design-build entity, all costs
are considered early on for a more accurate estimate. As builders are familiar
with the cost of materials and labor, they are able to use that knowledge to
help value engineer a design. If along the way, an owner wishes for an
upgrade from what was originally agreed upon, open communication can help
to make an informed and transparent decision. Any constraints that occur
during the building process can also be mitigated freely in ways that make
sure the budget stays on track. Less parties involved means less fees with
both sides being committed to controlling costs to yield higher profit margin.
FASTER DELIVERY
When design and construction occur at the same time, delivery will
undoubtedly be faster. With less communication barriers, productivity is
maximized with a more smooth and sequenced workflow and responsive
decision making. Since obstacles are considered early on, any potential
setbacks can be anticipated and either re-evaluated more efficiently or
avoided altogether to avoid costly time delays.

If you’re ready to take advantage of the benefits and begin working with a
design-build entity, we work with all tiers of the construction arrangement
including general contractors, architects, interior designers, and owners alike
of all sizes. We are committed to honoring your vision, expectations, budget,
and schedule, as well as streamlining the process and offering creative results
for restaurants, offices, entertainment complexes, theme park attractions, and
retail projects.
 References
[1] Piotrowski C.M. (2016) Designing Commercial Interiors Third Edition
[2] Cyprus S. (2023) What is Smart Capital Mind: Residential Interior Design?
https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/what-is-residential-interior-
design.htm#google_vignette
[3] JLL Philippines (2020) Commercial vs Residential Real Estate: Pick the
Best Investment for You. https://www.jll.com.ph/en/trends-and-
insights/investor/commercial-or-residential-which-better-for-you
[4] Finken S. (2021) How Design-Build Benefits Residential Real Estate
Development, Design Blenz https://www.designblendz.com/blog/design-build-
residential-real-estate-development
[5] Smith A. (2021) Advantages Of Using Design Build Services For Your
Commercial Interior Buildout, Sabal Design https://sabaldesign.com/blog-
home/5-advantages-of-using-design-build-services-for-your-commercial-
interior-buildout