DEQA Design Collaborative

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our Founder and Principal Architect, Ar. Denise De Castro.

She was the heart and vision behind DEQA—a leader whose grace, empathy, and dedication shaped not only the spaces we design, but the culture of care, collaboration, and excellence that defines our team. Her belief that design should uplift and enrich lives continues to guide us in everything we do.

Design with purpose. Grow with intention.

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How do you design a space where students can truly focus, when the city's energy is constantly at their doorstep?

At PHINMA Saint Jude College, the LRT 2 tracks run close and the tropical sun runs hot. That environment deserved more than a renovation — it deserved a reimagination.

Through our Well-Living Design (WLD)™ philosophy, adaptive reuse became our sustainability strategy. Working with the existing structure, we enhanced the Aurora Building with a "second skin" — a double facade inspired by the climate-smart legacy of historic Gabaldon schools — that dampens transit noise, filters tropical heat, and frames calming views of the outside world.

A building that doesn't just stand beside the city. It stands up for its students — and for the planet.

This is how design turns a busy urban location into a superior space for learning.

Live Well, by Design™

The Hospitality Catch-22
How do you design a space that feels like a cozy communal living room, while managing the high-speed flow of a premium bakery, restaurant, and bar?

At Hatch 22 in Rockwell, that paradox shaped every decision. Th In high-traffic spaces, flow management is the primary determinant of success. The challenge was to house three distinct revenue centers within a limited footprint without sacrificing guest comfort or seating density.

Through our Well-Living Design (WLD)™ framework, we turned a spatial dilemma into a high-performance reality:
• The Narrative of Home: We reimagined the features of a lived-in residence—worn timber floors, aged balustrades, and drawers filled with "stuff" to create an immediate sense of belonging. We even turned the traditional family photo gallery on its head, creating a feature wall of framed “artwork” where the stars are the fresh loaves and pastries.
• Spatial "Compression and Release": To set the guest experience, we engineered a signature "Hatch" ceiling. You enter under low, intimate wood planks for a quick mental reset, before the room sweeps upward to open into a bright, social hub.
• Kinetic Engineering: The design does more than just look good; the ceiling planks generate kinetic energy as they transition into vertical wall features, preventing the site from ever feeling enclosed.
• Sustainable Prosperity: This layout enables a seamless transition from a 7 AM bakery to a high-volume late-night bar without ever changing the floor plan.

The result is an airy, communal environment that invites guests to stay a little longer and return more often. This is how design turns a complex F&B dilemma into an effortless, high-performance guest experience.

Live Well, by Design™

How do you design a co-working space that feels as good as the destination it's in?

For resort developers, the digital nomad and remote worker market represents a powerful and growing opportunity. But capturing it requires moving well beyond the utilitarian arrangement of desks and chairs. In premier destinations, a generic workspace creates an unconscious sense of detachment — one that drives high-spending guests toward competitors who understand them better.

At Greenhouse Siargao, we used our Well-Living Design (WLD)™ framework to bridge the gap between global hospitality and local heritage — redefining the co-working space as a cultural hub designed around the rhythms of today's location-independent workforce.

Tactile Authenticity: Terrazzo tiles echo the texture of beach sand while timber ceilings bring the warmth of the tropics indoors — replacing cold, synthetic surfaces with materials that feel genuinely rooted in place.

Atmospheric Layering: A tiered lighting scheme facilitates a seamless transition from deep focused work to a relaxed social atmosphere — supporting both productivity and the kind of meaningful connections guests return for.

Purposeful Zoning: Strategic layouts offer a full spectrum of environments — from high-energy collaborative areas to quiet, integrated niches for deep focus — ensuring every type of remote worker feels genuinely accommodated.

Sensory Connection: Natural ventilation and framed sea views maintain a living, restorative link to the landscape outside — keeping guests inspired throughout the workday.

By prioritizing human experience over corporate efficiency, the result is an inclusive, culturally rich space where guests are inspired to do their best work, forge unexpected connections, and stay a little longer.

This is how design turns a resort co-working space into a hub for inspired work and connection.

Live Well, by Design™