AKAY is an Interior Design project that aims to create a borderless space that allowsfor a limitless environment for the PWD. It is the capstone project of De La Salle - College of St. Benilde’s senior batch of Interior Design students that seek to utilizetheir design knowledge to create a positive impact in the community throughservice learning. With a slogan that proclaims, 'Dito sa AKAY, disenyo ang kaagapay satagumpay,' Team AKAY is composed of thirteen students: one Project Manager,a Creatives Committee, a Finance Committee, a Marketing and Front-of-the-HouseCommittee, and a Logistics Committee, all guided by two professional InteriorDesign Advisers.

De La Salle College of St Benilde Senior students and members of Team AKAY Courtesy of AKAY

As a culmination of their year of studying interior design, the students renovated theinteriors of the main office of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc., an institution inCainta, Rizal that provides services, programs, and opportunities to the PWD,especially wheelchair users. It was specially designed so that it will accommodate allof the needs and wants of the end-users, as well as solve problems that they mayencounter in the future. With AKAY, the students envision being a model of hope byreminding their partner community of the vital part they play in society bypresenting their maximized potential as individuals.

Perspective of design proposal for Tahanang Walang Hagdan showing the lounge area of the main office by Team AKAY Courtesy of AKAY

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With 54 sqm of floor area, the main office consists of a reception area for entertainingguests and a conference room for formal meetings. Included in the renovation werethe manufacturing of custom fixtures and furniture pieces, the refinishing of thewalls, the reworking of the electrical layout, the replacement of lighting fixtures, andthe addition of accessories for detailing. A focal point of the design is a wall mural inthe conference room that was hand-painted by the students. It reflects the spirit ofcreating opportunities for persons with disabilities which is one of the mainadvocacies of the community. The construction lasted for almost three weeks,starting on November 3 and ending on November 19.

In the gallery below, see the completed space and labor of love by Team Akay:

Conference RoomCourtesy of AKAY

ReceptionCourtesy of AKAY

ReceptionCourtesy of AKAY

Conference RoomCourtesy of AKAY

Conference RoomCourtesy of AKAY

ReceptionCourtesy of AKAY

Conference RoomCourtesy of AKAY

History WallCourtesy of AKAY

Conference RoomCourtesy of AKAY

ReceptionCourtesy of AKAY

Unveiling the finished project, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 21with the presence of a few members of the TWHI family, together with Benilde’sAKAY Team, Service Learning Office, and Interior Design administrators. Officiallyturning over the space was a heartwarming moment, especially for the students,after seeing the sincere smiles and cheerful gratitude from the members of theTWHI community.

Watch Team AKAY's public presentationon their Facebook page at AKAY 2022. You may also visit their Instagram page at @project.akay2022 to see more of their work.

Photographs courtesy of AKAY