Students initiate kalai renovation

By Majalya Fernando


It took a group of students with some creative design ideas to initiate the renovation of the Kalayaan Residence Hall, twenty-five years after the dormitory housed its first residents.

The UP Space Innovations and Lifestyles by Interior Design Students (SILID), a group of 33 graduating BS Interior Design students enrolled in ID 179 (Special Projects in Interior Design), through their Kontemporaryo Dormitoryo Project, chose Kalayaan as their beneficiary for free interior design renovation service.

“Kalai is the perfect dorm for this project,” said Leovy Mendoza, member of SILID. “It is the most popular kasi halos lahat ng dormers dumadaan doon. Maganda rin yung location, madaling makita kaya mas magiging interested yung sponsors.”

Kalayaan was also endorsed by Chancellor Sergio Cao as a beneficiary for the SILID project because of the nature of its clientele.

“Mas marami ring nakakagamit nito dahil hindi tulad ng ibang dorm, iba-iba lagi ang residents each year,” added Mendoza. “For me, Kalayaan is the symbol of UP. Dito unang nararamdaman ng freshmen ang freedom sa UP.”

Members of SILID began planning for the project last summer. Construction is set to begin within this month, with November as its targeted completion.

Cao granted SILID a budget to pay for labor costs. The students also rely on contributions from suppliers, private and corporate sponsors, and batch-sponsored fundraisers to pay for materials of construction.

Industry sponsors for materials so far include Mariwasa for tiles, ACE for paint, APO for vinyl tiles and ABC for tile grout and adhesive.

As soon as construction begins, the students will take turns in overseeing construction by a chosen contractor, which will take place from Monday to Saturday at 7:00am to 10:00pm.

“As of the moment, we are waiting for our request to begin construction from the administration to be approved,” said Mikaela Mora, head of the SILID construction committee. “Since it is our first time to handle a project within the bounds of the university, we have hit a few bumps here and there, but we remain optimistic that the process to be undergone will be fair and considerate to our status as graduating students.”

Renovation of the dormitory is confined to areas accessible to non-residents such as the lobby, TV/ activity area, dorm manager's office, computer room (to be converted into a mini conference room), paging room, key room and conference room.

It includes repainting of the existing ceiling, masonry walls and wall panels, removal and replacement of severely dilapidated ceiling boards, replacement of some light fixtures and painting of two murals, one in the activity area and another in the lobby.

“The theme of the project is contemporary organic,” said Mora. “It is dynamic, fresh and fun. We want to emphasize Kalayaan's uniqueness as a freshman dormitory, a repository of young minds and hearts. It is a place for students to commune and exchange ideas. We want to provide them with a place that stimulates their minds.”

Each year, the graduating batch of ID students selects a deserving institution to receive free design service. Past projects include the redesigning of an orphanage and a wing of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

Kalayaan Residence Hall is the only co-educational dormitory exclusive to freshmen students. It was constructed in June 1975, with an annex added in 1978.