Julia Buli-e, "Balikbayan//Return Home"
"Balikbayan” housing celebrates cultural identity and fosters community building in Toronto’s Little Manila. There, Filipino immigrants, facing the challenges of unaffordable housing and a lack of flexible living spaces, have formed a vibrant cultural hub. The proposal examines "balikbayan" – Tagalog for “return home” – reimagining adequate housing that provides cultural adequacy, affordability, and accessibility. Adapting traditional Filipino residential typologies like the "compound" to a high-density Canadian context, the mid-rise residential building utilizes its distinctive features to foster familiarity and a sense of belonging.
Through a limited-equity cooperative model, Balikbayan fosters multigenerational living, stability, and inclusivity. The project envisions housing that respects cultural heritage while addressing contemporary urban needs.
Program: Master of Architecture
Thesis Advisor: Karen Kubey