In a region long divided by political boundaries and logistical fragmentation, Nao Mae O. Diaz saw an opportunity to plant a bold new idea: a space that not only serves—but uplifts—the farmers of the Negros Island Region.
Her thesis, “Regional Office and Agricultural Innovation Center in Bacolod,” is a pioneering response to the reestablishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR)—a proposal that blends governance, sustainability, research, and compassion into one centralized architectural vision.
“This project is more than just a proposal—it is my tribute to the hands that feed the nation,” Nao Mae declares.
And with this work, she earned the Outstanding Oral Defense, Outstanding Presentation, and Outstanding Manuscript Awards—a testament to the depth, rigor, and heart of her design.
A Center That Goes Beyond Bureaucracy
Originally envisioned as a centralized office for the Department of Agriculture in the newly reformed NIR, the concept evolved into something more ambitious. After visiting DA regional offices in Iloilo and Cebu and conducting extensive research, Nao Mae saw the urgent need to create “the first fully-centralized DA-NIR regional office—the first of its kind equipped with complete facilities that go beyond mere administration.”
Her design doesn’t just centralize departments. It redefines how service is delivered, placing farmers at the heart of the system. The core administrative structure is surrounded by spaces for training, demonstration farming, innovation labs, research, rest, and collaboration.
“Everything is connected not just by paths and porches, but by purpose,” she explains. “This is not just a structure—it’s a system, designed with intent, for the people who grow the food we eat.”
A Blueprint for Sustainable Stewardship
For Nao Mae, sustainability is not a checkbox—it is a responsibility. Her design takes care to respect both land and livelihood:
Greenhouses are oriented for natural light and ventilation, reducing the need for energy.
A central catchment roof gathers rainwater for reuse across the site.
Structures are elevated to guard against flooding—essential in a storm-prone region.
Dense vegetation, porous pavements, and vegetated trellises help reduce heat and support groundwater recharge.
Endemic plants, in collaboration with DA-NIR, ensure local ecosystems thrive.
Even solar farms and permeable paver parking lots are included—not just as features, but as expressions of a larger commitment.
“More than just features, these strategies are my way of honoring our agricultural identity.”
Toward a Future of Food Security and Farmer Dignity
This project is not merely about productivity—it is about possibility.
“I envision this center as a place where knowledge, innovation, and dignity come together,” she says. “It’s about uplifting the farmers who make it possible.”
Guided by international case studies, DA-NIR data, and rooted in the regenerative agricultural concept of ratooning, Nao Mae’s proposal champions the idea that resilience can grow stronger with each cycle.
“From the roots of challenges grows a future of strength—with the highest regard and the greatest respect, this is my ode to the hands that feed the nation.”
In her hands, architecture becomes a form of advocacy—a platform for dignity, equity, and transformation. And with this thesis, Nao Mae O. Diaz sets a new standard for regional service design and a bold step toward agricultural excellence for the Negros Island Region.
#ThesisFeature#AgriculturalInnovationPH#DANIR#ArchitectureForService#SustainableDesignPH#LCCianExcellence#DesignWithPurpose#PublicArchitecture#FoodSecurityPH#NegrosIslandRegion#BuiltForFarmers