La Dolce Vita, reimagined
The Philippine design scene just got a masterclass in la dolce vita. As the Manila Interior Design Summit 2026 officially commenced, Modularity Home played host to “Italian Encounters,” turning the Scavolini and Valcucine showrooms into an intoxicating temple of lifestyle, design and high-octane sensory curation.
Far from your standard, sterile showroom walkthrough, the debut felt less like an industry event and more like an immersive gallery opening. Conceived around four pillars — design, sound, taste and light — the afternoon invited guests to step inside a living, breathing editorial spread. Armed with a custom microzine, attendees didn’t merely observe Italian craftsmanship; they inhabited it.
On 30 September, the city’s most discerning architects, interior designers, and arbiters of style descended upon the showrooms. The atmosphere hummed with creative energy. Designers shrugged off convention, rolling up their sleeves to curate their own culinary moments using Scavolini systems, while ambient soundscapes and directional lighting proved that the modern kitchen is less about mere meal prep and entirely about theatrical entertaining and effortless living.
LIBRA Kitchen.
The narrative naturally unfolded into a study of contrasting Italian philosophies. On one side stood Scavolini, founded in 1961 — the undisputed titan that evolved from a humble family-run operation into a global authority on marrying sleek aesthetics with everyday versatility. Opposite was Valcucine, established in 1980, bringing a fiercely avant-garde approach defined by radical sustainability, obsessive material research, and a quiet reverence for longevity. Together under one roof, they offered a masterclass in how heritage meets the cutting edge.
The chic affair culminated on 3 October with an intimate, highly curated private lunch hosted by Modularity Home for an exclusive guest list of summit speakers, VIPs, and the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers Board. Amid the sculptural silhouettes of the Italian masterworks, conversations flowed as effortlessly as the champagne, punctuated by candid moments and portraits against a backdrop of pure design royalty.
“We are excited to welcome MIDS 2026 through Italian Encounters and give the design community a chance to experience Scavolini and Valcucine in a more immersive way. By bringing together Design, Sound, Taste, and Light, we hope to show how Italian kitchen design can become part of the way people live, gather, and connect,” said Bettina Hontiveros, president of Modularity Home.