FOR four consecutive years, students from the University of the San Carlos in Cebu City have achieved remarkable recognition at the Singapore Design Excellence Awards 2024.

Manuel Cynric Yee, a third-year BS Interior Design major, won both the prestigious Best Student Award and a Gold Award in the Hospitality Design category of the competition.

“Yee’s project, ‘Bambusa Paraiso,’ stands as a powerful biophilic fusion of luxury and nature. He integrated bamboo columns, vibrant green walls, and mindfully sourced local and natural materials such as wood and stone. The design not only highlights sustainability but also creates an immersive experience that blurs the boundaries between the interior and the outdoors,” USC said.

The university has produced winners in the same international competition. In 2023, John Brix Cruza secured the Silver Award; Basil Rico Gahi won silver and bronze medals in two different categories in 2022, and four Carolinians bagged the Silver Award in 2021.

Meanwhile, Yee’s talent was also recognized at the Spatial Design Awards. Earlier this year, he secured third place in the American Standard Design Award 2024 for his project “Yubi.”

He was mentored by Dr. Hermie Ray Oplado.