Forensic medicine is a specialization of medicine that addresses unnatural deaths and other medical issues that have a legal implication, playing a critical role in both the health and legal systems. In a country where forensic science and death investigations remain underdeveloped, the Institute of Forensic Medicine (InForMed) is envisioned as a state-funded, independent facility designed to strengthen the nation's medicolegal services. Guided by a human-centered design approach, the facility aims to not only provide a conducive and efficient environment for practicing forensic medicine, but also to provide a supportive environment for the different individuals involved in this process. InForMed aims to elevate the standards of forensic medicine investigations in the country by providing a space that upholds scientific integrity, compassion, and justice.

Food is an integral part of human life. Transcending mere sustenance, it holds profound cultural significance by preserving traditions and heritage through generations. Beyond its cultural role, it also serves as a crucial determinant of health, emphasizing the importance of fresh, locally sourced, and in-season ingredients - a practice inherently aligned with sustainability principles. However, a notable gap exists in the current literature, specifically in studies exploring the intersectionality of cultural preservation, health promotion, and sustainability within the context of food hubs. This deficiency is particularly pronounced when considering distinct culinary identities, such as that found in Bacolod City. To address this gap, the study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing insights from architectural strategies, community engagement models, and global case studies of food hubs. Its main goal is to propose a dynamic food hub design that not only showcases Bacolodnon heritage food but also integrates health-centric layouts and sustainable practices, serving as a comprehensive blueprint for fostering resilient, nourished, and culturally vibrant communities. In presenting a holistic approach to food hub design, this study provides valuable insights for local government planners and communities seeking to enhance the cultural, health, and sustainability dimensions of their local food systems. These findings contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the intricate balance required to create thriving, culturally rich, and sustainable food hubs tailored to unique culinary identities like Bacolod City.

As Baguio City continues to face rapid urbanization, public open spaces such as the Baguio City Public Market will need to be redeveloped to support sustained socioeconomic development in the foreseeable future. Aimed to redesign the market as a pluralistic, inclusive space that ensures socio economic development and community vitality among its residents, the project focuses on the people of Baguio and the market itself, while considering the broader urban design context of this market. This factors towards further understanding the local character of both the city and its people in relation to the local economy, contributing to the appropriate design approaches of architectural pluralism and place-based economic development. Although interviews with key market personnel and public market consultants reveal that providing a well-functioning, dedicated space for a public market is essential, the additional challenges of maintaining sustained interactions among the people, whether buyers or sellers or even resident or tourists, aside from the products sold is also tantamount to a successful public market design. Drawing on Baguio's identity as a melting pot of the Cordillera region, its American colonial history, status as a UNESCO Creative City, and smart city ambitions, the redesign adopts Panagbenga flowers as a central concept - a symbol for the resilience of a city abundant in resources, labor, and talent. This concept embodies a similar image, presenting how this sense of community vitality is shown throughout the city's public commercial center using floral iconography, inclusive and accessible spaces, and dedication towards highlighting the local market spaces. Overall, the redevelopment of the Baguio City Public Market stands as a landmark for creating a market environment that enhances the city's projected resilience and vitality in the future.

Persons with disabilities, as the largest minority, face discrimination in their social, political, and personal lives. The Philippines has a total of 1,790,820 registered persons with disabilities under the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Only four out of the supposed nine mandated area vocational rehabilitation centers (AVRC) are in accordance with the Republic Act No. 2615, proving the lack of local prioritization of persons with disabilities. Quezon Province is no exception to this situation with 17,870 registered persons with disabilities. There are currently no active PWD rehabilitation facilities. All considering that it is important for persons with disabilities to develop physically, psychologically, and psychosocially, there is a lack of urgency for these developments. This study was able to successfully use landscape design and community-based rehabilitation (CBR) to develop a holistic rehabilitation facility for individuals with limited physical mobility to motivate local awareness and the production of rehabilitation facilities for persons with disabilities. The layers of the design follow the five elements of community-based rehabilitation: health, education, livelihood, social, and empowerment. These layers and functions were mirrored with the intention of building a holistic rehabilitation facility that can be localized and patterned into different regions. On-site visits, interviews, and community surveys were used to gather the necessary data for this research. This development contributes to promoting local and social awareness on the importance of providing Philippine PWD communities with a space where they can freely explore their independence in the built environment. Ultimately, this study outlines a landscape design framework for building a rehabilitation facility for persons with limited physical mobility using community-based rehabilitation.

The increasing incarceration rates globally and in the Philippines have highlighted critical challenges within correctional systems, particularly for female Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). The Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong, the only female penal institution in the Philippines, operates at over double its intended capacity, resulting in overcrowded conditions that hinder the provision of adequate services, privacy, and rehabilitation opportunities. These conditions worsen the challenges faced by female PDLs, affecting their well-being and reintegration into society. This study proposes a vertical prison development inspired by the Panoptic principle, reimagining centralized visibility as a tool for rehabilitation rather than control. Moving away from an oppressive surveillance model, the design prioritizes dignity, privacy, and trauma-informed care, ensuring a structured yet supportive environment that fosters security, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The layout is guided by a centralized core, with programmatic spaces strategically organized to separate security levels, rehabilitation zones, and communal areas, balancing oversight with autonomy.
This study advocates for a shift from punitive to reformative approaches in the Philippine correctional system. The model offers a solution to urban space constraints while serving as a prototype for humane and inclusive correctional facilities. Ultimately, this project contributes to the discourse on gender-sensitive prison design and supports the broader
goal of creating equitable environments that uphold the dignity and rights of incarcerated women.