You’ve shared how important it is to keep learning about materials and their ecological footprint. What are some new or emerging materials you’ve recently explored that excite you, and how do you see them shaping future projects?

Continuous learning is essential to my practice. Travelling, studying art, listening to craftspeople, observing how different cultures live—these experiences constantly broaden my vocabulary as a designer. But integration is intentional. I absorb widely, yet I filter everything through the core values that define my work: simplicity, authenticity, material honesty, and a deep sense of place. These principles act as my compass. They allow me to evolve without losing coherence. So even as influences shift—from Japanese restraint to Filipino craft traditions to contemporary European sensibilities—what emerges is still recognizably mine. I’ve been exploring a number of sustainable materials available locally, and three in particular stand out. Engineered bamboo has become a key material in my recent projects because it brings both natural warmth and modern precision—something I’m actively using now for ceilings, screens, and built-ins. I’m also working with clay and lime-based plasters, which create breathable, humidity-regulating walls that are perfect for the tropical climate and add a quiet, tactile depth to interiors. Another material that excites me is coco lumber, now improved through proper treatment—its beautiful grain and renewability make it ideal for crafted interior details. Together, these materials point toward a more climate-responsive and locally grounded way of building.

The bamboo architecture at Aman Sinaya began as a client request, yet it became a defining feature of the home. What was it like working with bamboo, and what did you learn about bringing out its natural beauty in a modern way?

Bamboo may bend, but it’s a material I collaborate with rather than control. That was my shift in approach: listening to its cadence. When I understood its rhythm, it revealed what it wanted to become. At Aman Sinaya, we embraced irregularities instead of smoothing them over. By pairing the bamboo with clean architectural lines and a restrained palette, we orchestrated a warm and sculptural counterpoint to the home’s modern framework. That contrast gave it a contemporary slant without losing its organic soul. Bamboo becomes modern when you allow it to be itself and accentuate its variation, texture, and fluidity. As a material, it brings a kind of softness and authenticity that no industrial material can replicate.

If you could give one piece of advice to a homeowner looking to build or renovate in a tropical environment, what would it be?

Design for the climate, not against it. My single most important piece of advice is to prioritise passive cooling from the very beginning. Architecture in the tropics is about understanding airflow, orientation, and the natural behaviour of heat and humidity. Adding more air conditioning, insulation, or layers doesn’t necessarily result in more comfort. Think about how the home breathes. So I maximise cross-ventilation, allow hot air to escape through high openings, and use deep overhangs and shading to soften the sun. The materials should manage moisture rather than trap it. It’s about building a home for its site. It’s about adapting to the tropics; to truly belong to its climate. That way, a structure becomes cooler, healthier, and far more sustainable.

Which three designers, past or present, have most influenced your work?

Kenzo Tange has always grounded me. He fuses Japanese tradition with a clean modernist form, which shares a kindred spirit with my practice: anchored in culture, but never afraid of bold structure and clarity. Take a look at Yoyogi National Gymnasium: fluid and sculptural, both deeply architectural and imbued with a sense of lightness. He reminds me that heritage and innovation can coexist beautifully, and that architecture is poetic.

Andrée Putman is a master of restraint and quiet elegance. Her work shows that a well-edited space can be incredibly expressive about luxury through sincerity and simplicity.

Kelly Wearstler’s fearless approach to materiality and form makes for experiential interiors. Her work is bold, refined, and sculptural. By crafting an immersive and layered environment, the space also becomes deeply personal. I, too, seek to push boundaries and explore new design languages with my own aesthetic as my North Star.

Three of your favourite buildings in Southeast Asia

The National Gallery Singapore merges two historic structures with a light contemporary skin. The roof is never less than fascinating to me.

Even after the fire that razed the Manila Central Post Office in 2023, it’s still one of the most beautiful neo-classical landmarks in the region. The scale, symmetry, and generosity of the spaces—It shows how grand Manila once was, and how grand it could be if we persevere in concerted efforts to preserve built heritage.

The Marina One in Singapore is brought to life by the greenery that weaves through its towers. A dense city can feel more humane when buildings blend architecture and landscaping.

Carol Karthe is the founder of Ladrilyo