In his annual roundup of favourite titles, published in the December 2024 issue of The World of Interiors, book editor Damian Thomson praises the “intimate character” of the interiors featured in the book, citing how Gina was raised in one such house in Manila, the portraits taken by Siobhan of the homeowners, and the tales of “Japanese occupation and memories of mahjong on the veranda”.
Neither of them a stranger to the hospitality industry, both Gina and Siobhan have published several books showcasing some of the industry’s legendary institutions. They first collaborated on The Lanesborough Reimagined in 2015, Siobhan’s volume of photographs documenting the renovation of the Oeteker Collection’s luxury London property in Knightsbridge. Gina’s books include Celebrating Twenty Years of Hospitality – The Lanesborough, The History of the Craft Guild of Chefs, and A History of School Meals. Siobhan photographed and produced Savoy: The Restoration.
The sumptuous 260-page Houses that Sugar Built features 23 historic and ancestral mansions built by Filipino sugar planters when global demand for Philippine sugar was at its peak. Published worldwide by US-based Oro editions, it was produced over a 5-year period and is the first of its kind devoted to such houses.
Gina Consing McAdam FIH, a marketing and communications expert and writer, was born in Manila and was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 2022. Drawing on her family roots in the Philippine sugar industry, she carried out extensive research and interviews for her memoir and each of the 23 house chapters. She said, “Being recommended by The World of Interiors is such a great honour as for over 40 years the magazine has been very much at the forefront of discerning and extraordinary interior design from all over the world. For me, Houses that Sugar Built has been a passion project, and I hope it inspires more people to discover the wonderful architecture and other cultural treasures found not only in the Philippines but everywhere in world.”
Robert Richardson FIH MI, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, said, “This recognition reflects not only the depth of talent but the breadth of interests of many of our Fellows, who fortunately for us, are willing to share the richness of their international backgrounds and travel experiences. We’re very proud of Gina, who has spent the bulk of her career working in the hospitality industry, helping hoteliers, restaurateurs and professional industry bodies like ours to articulate what we do best. I’d like to commend both Gina and Siobhan for creating this remarkable book.”
Houses that Sugar Built: An Intimate Portrait of Philippine Ancestral Homes is published by Oro Editions and is available at Hatchard’s, Foyles, Waterstones, Blackwells, Potterton Books, Rizzoli, Barnes & Noble and on Amazon, as well as several independent bookshops. The authors have also made available a collectible Artist Edition Signed Book (limited edition of 100) with one signed and numbered Archival Giclee print from a choice of four images. The book is presented in a hardback fabric covered in a blind debossed sleeve.
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