In the windswept landscapes of Ilocos Norte, the natural terrain sculpts its own poetry. The Kapurpurawan rock formations sculpted by time, wind, and salt have become both landmark and metaphor. Drawing from these natural forms, SM City Laoag emerges as architecture in dialogue with its place, shaped not just by utility, but by memory, terrain, and light.

Form Inspired by the Land

The flowing curves and edges of the façade recall the gentle undulations of sand dunes and the weathered strength of the cliffs. This gesture is more than mimicry; it is a translation of geology into geometry. The movement continues inside, where architectural lines guide flow like wind over earth. This sense of movement is grounded in Ilocano identity: stable, sculptural, enduring.

The architecture honors the land while amplifying Ilocos’ agricultural pride. Garlic, a staple of the region, is used symbolically within the design narrative its form and strength suggesting Ilocano resilience, simplicity, and richness.

Light, as Culture and Concept

Laoag—its name meaning “light” or “clearing” sets the tone for the atrium design. Here, light is not incidental; it is intentional.

The central atrium manages tropical daylight with grace, transforming sunlight into texture. Above, a vast ceiling of color-fritted glass casts changing hues throughout the day. This interplay of illumination and shadow creates a living canvas that recalls Inabel, Ilocos’ iconic handwoven textile.

The patterns of Inabel are not replicated directly, but interpreted through light and shadow, projected across the atrium floor and walls as the sun shifts. This ever-changing tapestry animates the space, connecting the celestial with the cultural. It is not static, it breathes, like fabric caught in wind.

Architecture as Cultural Offering

In this way, SM City Laoag becomes more than a commercial space. It is a gesture of respect to the place and its people. It is architecture that listens before it speaks, that draws from its environment not to imitate, but to honor.

Through natural forms, cultural accents, and thoughtful design, the architecture of SM City Laoag amplifies the Ilocano narrative transforming local pride into a universal experience.