Roche Bobois x Interior Designer Bambi Mañosa: The Iconic Mah Jong Sofa Is Reinterpreted With A Banig-Inspired Side Table

The daughter of renowned and celebrated architect Francis "Bobby" Mañosa, Bambi Mañosa is the head of the interior design department of the Mañosa & Co firm. With Bobby serving as an icon for championing characteristically Filipino architectural designs with his progressive approach, Bambi has the same passion for continuing her father's legacy and highlighting what is distinctly ours through interior design.

READ: Icons Reimagine An Icon: "Interactions" By Roche Bobois Manila Features A Collaboration With 10 Creative Filipinos

 

 

 

 

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Sweet victory ?? Supreme Court Conceptual Design Competition. From 86, to 50, to 20, to the top 10, to last night's top 5. And to hearing "Mañosa & Co." For 1st place. ?? This is bigger than us. This one's for the team, for his legacy, for our love of country ???? ?? With God, all things are possible ???? . (Swipe) . #25landmarksby2025 #mañosalegacy #bobbymañosa #mañosa&co.

A post shared by Bambi Mañosa (@bambi_manosa) on Apr 25, 2017 at 7:33am PDT

A graduate of interior design from Assumption, Bambi has also explored doing custom furniture for their clients, coupled with the goal of promoting the use of indigenous materials. Her background in art (she studied art history in Paris and earned a graduate degree in art education at the University of the Philippines) likewise gives an additional creative layer to their company's projects which range from residential and commercial to institutional and hotels & resorts to ecclesiastical.  

 

 

 

 

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The Bobby Mañosa @rocheboboisph Mah Jong sofa collaboration. It was fun to capture my father’s design philosophy and personality in this iconic Roche Bobois piece ??Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao represented in the fabrics, pillow and the integrated banig-inspired rattan side table. When I showed him the final touches, I asked “dad, what would you put on the side table if you were to sit on your armchair? ... he simply replied, “a plant, and my drink” ???????? cheers @rocheboboisph ??congratulations on the interactions. Auction day Sept. 19, 6pm WhiteSpace. . . #rocheboboisinteractions #bobbymañosa #mañosa&co.

A post shared by Bambi Mañosa (@bambi_manosa) on Sep 6, 2018 at 7:27am PDT

The fact that their work is recognized by foreign brands who even reach out to them for possible collaborations is something that helps keep Bambi and their company motivated and inspired. Their collaboration with French furniture brand Roche Bobois in reinterpreting the Mah Jong sofa is interesting in more ways than one. It allows them to rework an iconic piece with free rein on the design direction and give it a Pinoy flavor. 

Her and her father's version of the Mah Jong sofa takes cue from the design philosophy of the master architect, considering the function first, followed by the form. Their reinterpretation of the chair made use of various types of fabric and pillows sourced from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The inclusion of a banig-inspired rattan side table is a brilliant idea. With this, the chair was transformed into a nook where one can sit and lounge while sipping coffee or reading a good book. 

"Finally, there are brands like Roche Bobois who want to collaborate with Filipinos, so I thought this is a nice opportunity to show them what we can do," says Bambi. 

Watch Bambi talk about Filipino design and their collaboration with international brand Roche Bobois:

Save the date for “Interactions,” Roche Bobois Manila’s Mah Jong exhibition launch on September 19 at Whitespace in Pasong Tamo (Chino Roces Ave.) Extension, Makati. The Roche Bobois Philippines showroom is located at 2100 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City and is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. For inquiries, call (+632) 5198240 or visit https://www.roche-bobois.com/en-PH.

Produced by Joan Ko

Videography by Pat Buenaobra

Video editing by Jason Roque