Seaside Food Hall
Can a mall amplify a culture’s indigenous traditions?
CAZA designed and built a 465-seat Food Hall for one of the world’s largest malls in Cebu, Philippines, which opened in November 2015. Located along the Cebu Strait, the design celebrates the region’s rich cultural heritage by drawing from indigenous materials and techniques to create a unique, contemporary communal space.
Location
Cebu, Philippines
Research Areas Parametric Design
Typology Hospitality
Size
Medium
Status Complete
Project Team Carlos ArnaizLaura del Pino
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The seating areas are organized through a modular design strategy, breaking the expansive hall into smaller, human-scaled zones that can flexibly accommodate groups of various sizes while preserving a sense of intimacy within the bustling mall. This modular planning ensures that the Food Hall remains adaptable to changing needs over time, supporting a variety of dining and gathering configurations.
Overhead, vibrant networks of colorful PVC threads—arranged in circular patterns—pay homage to Cebu’s long tradition of basket weaving and rattan furniture, transforming the ceiling into a dynamic, tactile landscape that reflects the spirit of local craft. These woven canopies not only honor indigenous artistry but also define the modular dining zones beneath them, creating a layered, culturally resonant experience.
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By weaving together modular spatial planning with indigenous design motifs, CAZA’s Food Hall amplifies Cebuano identity and crafts a meaningful, adaptable space for community gathering.