Patricia Matias

People First: How Filipino Malls Redefining Public Space

Article (news)

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771816181031IMG_3776.JPEG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">The Stacks at One Ayala</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>For decades, the Filipino mall has been more than a place to shop. It has served as a default meeting point, a refuge from heat and rain, a venue for first dates, family Sundays, and after-school hangouts. But today, malls across the Philippines are evolving beyond their traditional retail core. They are consciously redesigning themselves as people-first spaces— places that prioritize inclusivity, creativity, wellness, productivity, and genuine community interaction.</p><p>This transformation reflects a deeper understanding of how Filipinos actually use malls. They are not merely consumers moving from store to store; <strong>they are students looking for study corners, freelancers seeking workspaces, parents managing overstimulated children, travelers passing time between flights, and friends searching for shared experiences. Developers are responding with thoughtful concepts that turn malls into true civic environments.</strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D875771831764330%26set%3Da.244648368210016%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="754" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>One of the most meaningful examples of inclusive design can be found in the SM Supermalls initiative known as the <strong>SM Sensory Lab</strong>. Traditional mall environments are bright, loud, and visually intense, conditions that can be overwhelming for individuals with sensory sensitivities. The Sensory Lab addresses this by offering a calming space designed with muted lighting, soft textures, and sound-dampening features. It is a small but powerful gesture that signals a larger shift: accessibility is not an afterthought, but a design priority. By carving out room for quiet and regulation within a high-energy commercial space, the mall becomes welcoming to more people, including those who may otherwise struggle to enjoy it.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D880053471454687%26set%3Da.222572327202808%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="626" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>In Makati, One Ayala introduced a different kind of people-first concept through <strong>The Stacks</strong>. Rather than functioning as a static row of stores, this area operates as a flexible platform for creative pop-ups, workshops, and community-driven events. The Stacks blurs the line between retail and cultural programming, offering local entrepreneurs and makers a place to experiment and connect with audiences. It reflects a broader movement in Philippine retail design, one that sees the mall not just as a marketplace, but as a venue for ideas and collaboration.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1336604624422219%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>Green spaces are also becoming central to mall design. At Ayala Malls Vertis North in Quezon City, the <strong>Rain Garden</strong> provides an open-air refuge within the commercial complex. Instead of sealed interiors and endless corridors, visitors encounter landscaped areas where they can sit under shade, stroll at a slower pace, or simply pause between errands. In dense urban settings, even modest gardens can offer a sense of breathing room. Here, the mall acts less like a sealed shopping machine and more like a contemporary plaza.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D826797287080021%26set%3Da.120051311087959%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="671" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>Quiet spaces for reflection are also finding their place. At The Podium, The Book Nook offers a dedicated area for reading and calm conversation. In an era of constant noise and digital distraction, carving out physical space for stillness is almost radical. <strong>The Book Nook</strong> acknowledges that leisure is not always loud or transactional. Sometimes, the most meaningful mall experience is simply finding a comfortable chair and losing oneself in a book.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPickleballPhilippines%2Fposts%2Fpfbid033Mo8MtSRp5BDCJLARZ2McbE6NZZ3dgst5CCCKhevqHfBX6d9w9hDhnseri67MKGCl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="530" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>Physical activity is another dimension reshaping mall environments. UP Town Center has embraced the growing popularity of <strong>pickleball</strong> by incorporating courts into its grounds. What might once have been underutilized open space now becomes a site of movement, friendly competition, and intergenerational play. The presence of sport within a retail setting reinforces the idea that malls can support healthy, social lifestyles rather than just passive consumption.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D1048270650661756%26set%3Da.951288807026608%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="771" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>As work patterns shift toward hybrid and freelance arrangements, malls are also adapting to serve as alternative workplaces. At Robinsons Galleria, <strong>co-working spaces</strong> allow professionals to set up laptops in comfortable, connected environments. These spaces blur the boundary between office and leisure, enabling visitors to move seamlessly from meetings to meals, from productivity to relaxation. The mall becomes an extension of both home and workplace, a flexible third space that reflects contemporary routines.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsmmallofasia%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02XpwkTFBBGDbkLPwLKoX8oY4bZQ3D7H1CZBgfXtwJPYAaZ1sFzsx9oPvQv8oZBR28l&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="754" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, practical services continue to enhance the everyday experience. At <strong>SM Mall of Asia</strong>, free luggage storage offers travelers and families a simple but meaningful convenience. By removing the burden of heavy bags, the mall allows visitors to explore freely, dine comfortably, or attend events without logistical stress. It is a reminder that people-first design often lies in thoughtful details.</p><p>Across these examples, a common thread emerges: the Filipino mall is becoming more intentional about how it supports real life. It is no longer enough to provide shops and food courts. Today’s developments consider sensory inclusion, environmental well-being, creative expression, active living, flexible work, and everyday convenience as integral parts of the experience.</p><p>As this evolution continues, the future of Filipino malls may depend less on square footage and more on empathy. The most successful spaces will not be those that maximize transactions, but those that <strong>cultivate belonging, where visitors are not just shoppers, but participants in a shared urban experience.</strong></p>

<p>An exploration of how Filipino malls are evolving beyond retail into people-first spaces, prioritizing inclusivity, wellness, creativity, productivity, and community through sensory-friendly zones, green gardens, active play areas, co-working hubs, and thoughtful conveniences.</p>

An exploration of how Filipino malls are evolving beyond retail into people-first spaces, prioritizing inclusivity, wellness, creativity, productivity, and community through sensory-friendly zones, green gardens, active play areas, co-working hubs, and thoughtful conveniences.

People First: How Filipino Malls Are Redefining Public Space

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People First: How Filipino Malls Are Redefining Public Space

Tricia Matias

Published Feb 25, 2026 07:00 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 25, 2026 07:01 PM PHT

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Malls

Shopping Malls

The Stacks One Ayala

Book Nook Podium

The Sensory Lab MOA

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