Denise de Castro, Principal Architect of DEQA Design Collaborative, emphasizes the importance of designing with equity in mind, starting from the workplace. According to de Castro, values and practices in the studio or office inevitably filter down to the work that is done.
As a woman-led firm, DEQA Design Collaborative tries to support other women and provide them with equal opportunities. De Castro also expresses her support for the LGBTQ community, giving everyone an equal chance to excel.
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De Castro earned her Master in Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. She believes that her education has helped her to be agnostic to local universities and focus on talent and skill instead.
One of DEQA Design Collaborative’s latest projects is the Manila Central University’s revamp, which features a striking facade and a masterplan with open, green spaces. The facade’s undulating fins are made of aluminum in a wood finish, adding a unique feature to the original structure.
