RICARDO DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE (RDnA) is a team composed of architects, designers and thinkers operating within the fields of architecture, site master planning, and engineering.
The Founder & Core Functions
The team was founded by Ar. Ryan Ricardo, a graduate of the University of San Carlos - Technological Center, in 2008. RDnA, together with highly competent engineering consultants, has designed various small to large-scale projects.
Not new to the trade, they have planned over 320,000 square meters of land area and over 240,000 square meters of combined constructed floor area in the entire province. Through these projects, they continue to push the boundaries of design with objectives of efficiency and functionality.
“Each project is unique and has different considerations prior to planning and design. When working with a specific project, we often look at the site constraints and limitations. From there, we derive dynamic design approaches based on those limitations."
Since the year of its founding, RDnA’s design principles have revolved around functionality, efficiency, and optimized space planning. They also focus on building and maintaining long continuing relationships with their clients.
This is why it’s their core function to listen to each intent of the client and advise them for their greater advantage. This way, they will be able to deliver quality service and help them materialize their dream structures with sustainable, efficient, and functional spaces without sacrificing aesthetic quality.
As guides to building people’s dreams, RDnA is committed to turning its clients’ vision into a reality. Through their expertise in understanding the balance between living and working spaces, they have become proficient in building both residential and commercial projects.
Highlighted Projects
This is notable in their Casa Mira Labangon and Banilad High Street-Dormitory and Hostel projects.
Casa Mira Labangon
Casa Mira Labangon is the first vertical development of the Casa Mira brand by Cebu Landmasters Inc.
It offers a practical abode to starting families and single professionals in a very convenient and accessible location. This 21-storey residential condominium is situated in a tricky site with a narrow frontage. While it was a challenging feat due to its topographical orientation, they were able to implement retail spaces and ample parking for this tower through optimal planning.
This modern urban development is contained in a 3,681 sq. meters property at Labangon, Cebu City. Containing 686 units, Tower 1 contains over 272 units, and Tower 2 has 414 units combined with studio units at 20 sq. meter and 1-bedroom units that average at 37 sq. meter per unit.
Upon designing this project, they utilized the strength of BIM (Building Information Modelling). Through it, they were able to model the MEPF and incorporated it into the design development phase. Thanks to this, issues and trade clashes were easily identified in the early stages of design and were resolved prior to site implementation.
Banilad High Street Dormitory and Hostel
As Cebu is continuously booming and growing its economy, developers have started to explore alternative housing setups for working professionals and students at this prime location. This is why it’s more common for people in the workforce and students to look at housing opportunities near business districts.
For the Banilad High Street Dormitory and Hostel, RDnA was tasked to plan and design these accommodating co-living spaces. The Banilad High Street-Dormitory and Hostel houses over 312 units in a 7,806 sq. meter site in Banilad, Cebu City, with close proximity to the Cebu IT park and business centers.
The said project has 2 buildings - one dedicated as a dormitory and one specified as a hostel. As designers, it is a challenge to apply innovative design methods to provide the essentials to each of these compact units. Since the development will include co-living spaces, retail areas, a sky deck and bar- where the users can convene and interact, planning its different features must go beyond what a conventional dorm would need.
The firm was tasked to also work with its interior design and conceptualization, with the intent of bringing elements of a home into the common spaces. To give the space a homey feel, and less commercial look, RDnA opted to place some elements usually found in the living area such as consoles, coffee tables, and room-specific decors.
The interior design also revolves around the theme Japandi and Wabi-sabi design philosophy. The Wabi-Sabi philosophy centers around the appreciation of the beauty of natural imperfection. It is about the aesthetic of things in existence that are “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.”
To complement this, the Japandi style rooms balance natural materials with clean lines, and solid muted colors for a modern feel. The key materials used for the interior design styling include natural fibers, furniture made from natural materials, and even handmade pottery and decor.
It's RDnA’s prerogative to go beyond designing a structure, it’s also their obligation to identify its relationship with its environment. Considering all of these factors, they always come up with a perfect balance of functional clarity, aesthetics, and a pleasant living experience.
When figuring out the identity of each project, RDnA sees it more as an opportunity than a problem.
"We treat these factors as a challenge and integrate it with the design rather than looking at it as a hindrance to exercise our creative design process. Others might see it as a problem, but at RDnA, we view it as an opportunity.”
- Ar. Ryan Ricardo
For more information about Ricardo Design & Architecture (RDnA), you may find them here:
Address: Unit 305, Cherry Court Bldg., Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City
Telephone: (032) 254 6967
Mobile: 0977 383 1300
Email: rdnacebu@gmail.com
Website: www.rdnacebu.com
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