PSID-Ahlen leads the rise of experiential holiday interiors in the Philippines

The emphasis on emotional connection and immersion in interior design has been growing, particularly during the holidays when houses are transformed into hubs of creativity, community, and reminiscence. 

Leading this movement are the designers at the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID)-Ahlen Institute, who reinvent holiday interiors by fusing innovation, tradition, and culture.

Globally, the experiential trend—characterized by interior designs that arouse the senses and foster emotional bonds—is spreading throughout retail and residential spaces.  In response to the increasing need for environments that engage and connect the senses, PSID-Ahlen students are creating interiors with multimodal aspects and captivating stories.

Here are some concepts from PSID-Ahlen students that showcase this design trend.

Perlas Restaurant

Perlas Restaurant, an example plate from the PSID Students

Perlas Restaurant, an example plate from the PSID Students

As an illustration of this experiential design, consider the Perlas Restaurant idea, which celebrates the marine beauty of the Philippines by fusing the natural beauty of its numerous islands with the Filipinos' intense passion for food and the social connections they make over meals.

Polynesian Pool House

Polynesian Pool House, an example plate from the PSID Students

Polynesian Pool House, an example plate from the PSID Students

An hypothetical three-story resto-house that embodies the culture is the Polynesian Pool House, which serves as another illustration.  Each floor of this concept immerses diners in a distinct layer of culture, examining how Polynesian patterns, textures, and storytelling may create a meaningful dining experience.

Greek Mediterranean Home

The Greek Mediterranean Home concept, finally, would be a home where visitors would get a taste of Greece.  The furnishings, accessories, textures, and materials all combine to provide the ideal retreat for anyone looking to unwind and take in the tranquility of the Mediterranean Sea.

The most notable examples of this trend in experiential interior design are immersive Christmas installations found in retail malls, museums, and cultural exhibits.

Later this year, PSID-Ahlen is holding their exhibit for their graduating class called Designs of Christmas Exhibit (D.O.C.E.).

There will be four galleries in the exhibit that will introduce the audience to various Christmas experiences.  By using color schemes or a cultural viewpoint, gallery visitors will perceive Christmas as a trip through time and a reflection of the holiday's charm.

"The upcoming exhibit delves into Christmas styling and decorating as a major driving force in introducing holiday trends amid impeccable interior designed spaces. The exhibiting class of 2025 promises its viewers a variety of styles and trends guaranteed to inspire, setting the stage for a new way of designing for the holidays." ~Pojie Pambid, PSID-Ahlen's Vice President for Academic Affairs

PSID-Ahlen’s D.O.C.E. is slated to open on September 27, 2025 at the GH Tower in Greenhills.