In a city racing toward economic transformation, how do you design a space that keeps up with business—while still making room to breathe?
For architecture student Joshua Dave S. Paubsanon, the answer came in the form of a new kind of hotel. His thesis, “A Business Hotel in Bacolod City,” is a direct response to the growing wave of professionals, digital nomads, and creatives flocking to Bacolod—and the clear gap in spaces designed with them in mind.
“Bacolod is booming, especially with the rise of IT-BPOs and the MICE sector,” Joshua explains. “But many business hotels still follow outdated models. They’re boxy, cramped, and don’t reflect how people actually live and work today.”
His project flips the script.
Instead of just another lot-to-lot structure, Joshua’s hotel introduces a “bleisure”-centric design—a space where business meets leisure, and function blends seamlessly with well-being.
At its core is a wellness-oriented design philosophy that draws from Bacolod’s character and geography. The development is divided into four symbolic dimensions, each rooted in the city’s spatial and cultural identity:
West: Expansion – Gardens, alfresco lounges, and open nooks invite guests to pause, recharge, or connect informally.
North: Progress – The hotel’s core, designed with productivity in mind—business lounges, ergonomic rooms, and coworking pods.
South: Depth and Flow – Inspired by Bacolod’s bodies of water, this area features floating conversation pits and reflective zones.
East: Elevation – A preserved hillside green space provides quiet moments of breath and clarity amid the urban pulse.
Every element of the design—from tree tunnel entryways to pocket gardens that double as exhibition spaces for local artists—is intentional. It’s not just about hosting guests; it’s about creating experiences that foster well-being, creativity, and economic collaboration.
“There’s power in first impressions,” Joshua notes. “I designed the entry experience to immediately slow people down—transitioning them from the hustle of the city into a space that feels like a hidden oasis.”
Inside, business and leisure merge:
Soundproof pods and city-view function areas for meetings
Luxury retail, wellness pavilions, volleyball courts, and circadian lighting for rest and play
A dynamic façade with bi-fold louvers that shift based on guest activity
And rooms that evolve into art studios, connecting guests with the local creative economy
Sustainability is also woven throughout the project. With passive cooling, green roofs, solar shading, and rainwater harvesting, the hotel balances innovation with environmental responsibility.
But perhaps most importantly, this isn’t just a hotel—it’s a networking node, a cultural touchpoint, and a living space designed for people who don’t want to choose between performance and peace.
“This hotel isn’t about luxury for luxury’s sake,” Joshua says. “It’s about building a space where business, community, and culture can meet—and grow.”
As Bacolod rises as a key regional business hub, this is the kind of architecture that helps lead the way.
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