Capiz in Melbourne: Revisiting childhood and reinventing for the future

Melbourne-based architect John Gatip visited the Philippines to learn more about Capiz; it's history, use, and manufacturing to help him re-create it for the Australian setting in the recently concluded Melbourne Design Week.

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Key Points

• It took John Gatip five months to conceptualise and create the 12 Capiz pieces used for his exhibit.
• One of his inspirations for the Melbourne exhibit is the Capiz Parol locally made in Pampanga.
• John Gatip wants to explore the diffrent possibilities that Capiz can be used in contemporary setting.

'A lot of it was from my research, I visited Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan and I also contacted the National Museum to help me understand the significance of Capiz in our history and how we can incorporate in into our present lives in Australia.' John Gatip, architect and designer Capiz at the Melbourne Design Week.

'When we think of Capiz we always think traditional but I wanted to showcase it in a contemporary setting' John Gatip, architect and designer of Capiz at the 2024 Melbourne Design Week Credit: JM Tubera