Introduction: A Student-Led Vision for Filipino Learners
In a bold stride toward more empowering classrooms, the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Home Economics hosts KISLAP: Ang Kabanata ng Kabataan. Led by the BS Interior Design Class of 2026, the project reframes how learner-centered spaces can inspire curiosity, collaboration, and well-being among young Filipino learners. Rooted in compassion and servitude, KISLAP embodies a hands-on commitment to redesigning education environments that adapt to diverse needs rather than forcing students to adapt to rigid spaces.
Design Philosophy: Learner-Centered Spaces for a Modern Philippines
At its core, KISLAP brings together form and function to support active learning. The students emphasize flexible layouts, accessible storage, acoustic comfort, and modular furniture that can be reconfigured for group work, independent study, or whole-class discussions. The approach mirrors how learning happens most effectively: in spaces that respond to students’ rhythms, curiosities, and cultural contexts. By foregrounding learner autonomy and inclusivity, the project aligns with Philippine educational goals that value creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Compassion as a Guiding Principle
The UP Diliman team frames design decisions through compassion, ensuring spaces are safe, welcoming, and adaptable for learners at different stages and with various supports. The project examines how color palettes, light, texture, and furniture scale influence mood and focus. Subtle adjustments—like soft-edge corners on tables, accessible power outlets, and sound-dampening elements—help reduce fatigue and distraction, enabling teachers to weave student-centered activities more seamlessly into daily lessons.
Project Highlights: Practical Interventions for Real Classrooms
KISLAP unfolds through practical modules that can be piloted in actual classrooms. Proposed interventions include modular seating clusters that promote peer-to-peer learning, writable walls for quick brainstorming, and quiet zones where students retreat for reflection or tests. Storage systems are designed to be inviting and visible, reducing clutter and supporting organizational skills. The project also explores outdoor-linked learning nooks and covered terraces to extend classrooms beyond four walls while maintaining a conducive learning climate.
Engaging the Community: A Model for Scale and Replication
Beyond aesthetics, KISLAP presents a replicable framework for other institutions in the Philippines seeking learner-centered transformations. The team documents design decisions, materials lists, and cost considerations to help schools adapt concepts to their resources. By highlighting the roles of students, teachers, and facility designers, the project positions itself as a collaborative blueprint for lasting impact on education infrastructure nationwide.
Looking Ahead: A Chapter of Youthful Innovation
As the KISLAP narrative unfolds, it invites educators and policymakers to reimagine classroom environments as living spaces that grow with learners. The UP Diliman Interior Design cohort demonstrates how a student-led initiative—driven by empathy, curiosity, and professional rigor—can spark meaningful change in the built environment for the younger generation in the Philippines. The project stands as a testament to how education design, when rooted in compassion, can empower Filipino youth to learn with purpose and pride.
