Houses that Sugar Built

“This series is part of a book project, Houses that Sugar Built: An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes, for which I was granted access to these historic mansions. I largely set about photographing the houses against a spoken ‘backdrop’, as my colleague interviewed the owner or custodian, but sometimes worked in complete silence. The sala mayor (main living room) typically showcases the character of the architecture and the lifestyle of the people, but also leaves room for the viewer’s interpretation of these unique residences.” - Sony World Photography Awards“Each of the 23 houses was constructed to the individual requirements of their owners, who were often well travelled, so rather than following the local vernacular, a wide range of architectural styles was built.” - Digital Camera“In a visually arresting book titled Houses That Sugar Built, authors Gina Consing McAdam and Siobhán Doran tell the tales behind the historic homes that proliferated during the sugar boom in the Philippines.” - TatlerFeatured in World of Interiors Holiday Roundup. - World of Interiors

Gina Consing McAdam, based in London, has worked in Manila, Madrid, New York and Paris. She is the author of three books of company and organisational history, including a history of the luxury Lanesborough hotel in London. Her essays have been published in noted anthologies of Philippine writing. She holds an MA in 20th Century English & American Literature from Newcastle University in England. Her family roots are in the Philippine sugar industry.

Siobhan Doran is a freelance architectural and interiors photographer. Based in Berkhamsted, England, she works in the UK and internationally. Among her commissions have been photography books documenting the major renovations of The Savoy and The Lanesborough hotels in London. Her work has been exhibited at the MAST Foundation for Photography in Bologna and twice at The Royal Academy of Arts, which in 2023 selected a photograph from Houses that Sugar Built for its annual Summer Exhibition. Originally from Dublin, Siobhan has a first-class degree in Photography from the University of Westminster.