Jan Balbaligo is a British-born Filipina, Architectural Designer and Artist. Originally trained in Architecture, she decided to learn about the potential of natural materials, working with bamboo, willow, wood and cane.
Since 2006, she has travelled internationally working for the events and entertainment industry designing and building large scale artistic structures and stages, working independently or collaborating with other artists. She has been able to explore the world through art using her creativity, on a mission to promote natural materials to a wider audience and the commercial architectural field. She also gives building workshops to children and has been a guest critic and lecturer at academic institutions in London and the Philippines.
Jan has worked in Europe, Latin and South America, USA and Asia and is currently based in London and Portugal.
Education
Part III - Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture at University of Westminster
London, UK
Part II – Diploma in Architecture (DipArch) at London Metropolitan University
London, UK
Part I – Architecture (BA Hons) at London Metropolitan University
London, UK
Architectural Studies (BSc) at Bartlett School of Architecture
London, UK
Foundation in Art and Design at University of the Arts, Camberwell College of Arts
London, UK
Exhibitions
Desert Sunrise Solo Photographic Exhibition
Gorilla Gallery San Marcos, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Desert Sunrise Group Photography Exhibition
ADAO – Associação Desenvolvimento Artes e Oficios Barreiro, Portugal
Urban DECAY Collective Art Exhibition
ADAO – Associação Desenvolvimento Artes e Oficios Barreiro, Portugal
RIBA Architecture Open Group showcase
POP Brixton London, UK
Showcasing entry for “The Process of the Architect – a sketchbook: ‘Work in Panama’
Experience
ARCHITECTURAL EXPERIENCE at the following UK Practices:
Site Manager at Facit Homes UK LTD
December 2021 – March 2022 London, UK
Architectural Designer (Freelance) at Ruimte Design
July 2020 – Present London, UK
Architectural Materials Consultant at Atelier One
February 2020 – June 2020 London, UK
Architectural Assistant (Part-time and Full-time) at Knox Bhavan Architects LLP
2008 – 2013 London, UK
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS at the following locations:
Project Co-ordinator at Waking Life Festival
July 2019 Crato, Portugal
Lead Designer and Project Co-ordinator at Cosmic Convergence Festival
2019 (3 months) Santiago, Guatemala
Lead Designer and Project Co-ordinator at Boom Festival
2018 (2 months) Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
Constructor at Okeechobee, Lucidity, EDC and Global Eclipse
2017 (7 months) Touring in 4 states in the USA
Lead Designer and Project Co-ordinator at Boom Festival
2016 (3 months) Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
Architectural Designer at Universo Paralello Festival
2016 (3 months) Bahia, Brazil
Constructor at Freqs of Nature Festival
June 2015 Juteborg, Germany
Lead Designer and Project Co-ordinator at Tribal Gathering
2015 (3 months) Palenque, Panama
Constructor at Boom Festival
July 2014 Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
Constructor at Symbiosis Gathering
August 2013 California, USA
Volunteer Constructor at Boom Festival
2012 (3 months) Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
Volunteer Constructor at Five Elements Festival
2012 Oerias, Portugal