Aidea Incorporated, the creative design masterminds behind the New Campus Project, conducted a second workshop with Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan on 13 and 14 March 2024. Participants included members of the President’s Council, New Campus Steering Committee, college deans, and the architects from Aidea.

During the workshop, XU President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ delivered an opening remark, stressing the importance of collaborative planning and design for the proposed 15 buildings, with a particular focus on academic and administrative structures. This session served as a validation of previous work conducted with AIDEA regarding the design process.

Aidea Architect Ricardo Reyes provided an outline of the workshop flow and agenda for both Day 1 and Day 2. He also delved into discussions about community goals, sharing insights into the building life cycle, emphasizing the crucial role of occupancy in the design process. Architect Ric further presented the various phases of building design and shed light on Xavier University's ambitious strategic plans for 2025 and 2033, covering academic, community, smart, wellness, and sustainability goals.

On Day 1, participants collaborated to establish goals collectively, guided by the checklist provided by AIDEA. These goals were crucial as they would significantly influence the design process of the project. Day 2 had a three-fold objective: 1) gaining a deeper understanding of Xavier University, 2) identifying opportunities, and 3) proposing innovative concepts and approaches. Architect Ric began by revisiting the workshop's purpose and emphasized the importance of decision-making and its impact. He reiterated the overarching goal of designing for the future, which requires a forward-thinking, progressive, unconventional, and provocative mindset. Throughout Day 2, the decision-making process continued as participants worked towards translating ideas into actionable plans, ensuring that every decision made aligned with the project's long-term vision.

The workshop is a testament of a shared vision for the future as XU and its partners collectively embark on the journey towards the New Campus of the Future.

By: Dinah May Rondina, Office of the New Campus