5 Ways to Achieve an Intentional Home
Build your intentional home with these five steps from Jason Buensalido and Ivy Almario.
Words Rica Mae Labbao
Photos courtesy of Kohler
April 04, 2026
Tresham Toilet
As time passes by, change in people’s lives remains the only constant thing. From generations and traditions to home interior preferences, everything continues to evolve.
In a modern world where so many designs and styles are present, Jason Buensalido of Barchan + Architecture and Ivy Almario of Atelier Almario discovered five ways to specifically curate an intentional home.
“When you talk about contemporary, modern Filipino architectural design, it's not just in the look,” says Buensalido, “The finishes, the tactility, the visual experience, the olfactory experience of what the Filipino space is, are all results of the spatial quality.”
Almario concurs, saying that as more clients want to experience an intentional home, the real challenge is to provide spaces that can transform.
“The tension between compression and expansion, as when you enter a low foyer and get the surprise of a double volume space thereafter. It will always be a source of delight and aliwalas. With height, you make their spirits soar. While the opposite is also true in the other areas of the house, where lower ceilings add warmth and intimacy.”
From past clients and trajectory of experiences, Buensalido and Almario shared five ways to specially curate this intentional home:
Kohler Pull down Kitchen Faucet
Bringing the outdoors in. Welcoming the gentle nature from the inside your home exposes a primal effect on health and wellness.
Many storage options. Multifunctionality feels like a Filipino thing, finding a space for everything seamlessly is a trait. With that, plenty of storage spaces are a must.
Smart technology home incorporation. Curated homes use smart gadgets for a more efficient lifestyle that still fosters family bonding moments without the full control of technology.
Veil Smart Toilet
Renewed comfort in the comfort room. Bathrooms are a sanctuary of cleanliness, peace, and comfort that extends even to parents who want to enjoy a momentarily break inside the bathroom.
Timelessness over trends. Keeping family, health, comfort, peace, and human connection are what makes a home intentional. With that, brands with a legacy that’ll surely keep up with the needs of a Filipino family must surely compliment the lifestyle of an intentional home.
Kohler is that one brand up for the challenge, Buensalido and Almario said so. Kohler has been the most preferred brand of quality bathroom fixtures for discerning designers and homeowners alike for over 150 years, making them the best choice for anything that concerns the comfort of your bathroom.
San Souci Toilet with Electronic Bidet
Among their products include Aleutian, a large bathroom sink and drawers with a clean, rounded curved design; the Tresham, a handsome, Shaker-style designed bathroom sink and storage; and the slew of smart toilets.
“Personally, I just renovated a series of bathrooms in my house and the breadth of the designs available in Kohler products allowed me to easily achieve the look I desired,” says Almario.
Buensalido adds, “What I like about Kohler is that they pay attention to the look and proportions. I also like that they can meet any price point.”
