At the turn of the millennium, 18-year-old Cebuano creative Vito Selma joined the mentorship program of Movement 8, a group of Filipino designer-manufacturers showcasing Tropical Moderne to the world.

Under the guidance of Cebu-based luminaries such as Kenneth Cobonpue, Debbie Palao, and Luisa Robinson, Selma learned a fundamental truth: Design begins with a deep understanding of materials–their potential and their limitations. This philosophy deeply influenced Selma’s creative approach, utilizing both abundant resources and discarded materials in his creations.

Today, Selma, a second-generation furniture manufacturer, has built a strong foreign market and a portfolio of high-end residential and hospitality projects. This year, he is strengthening his presence with an upcoming showroom in Makati and by recently launching a design resources library and services center in Bonifacio Global City.

Archipelago Design Ventures Inc., is a new materials library and design consultancy located at Clipp Center, BGC. For this project, Selma, the creative director, teamed up with businessman Emerson Lee. Inspired by design centers in Italy and the Thailand Creative & Design Center, Archipelago aims to fill a gap in the Philippine design landscape by providing architects, designers, and students access to a curated selection of materials.

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