10/01/2025
15 Years of Space Encounters
Space Encounters began as W. Lopez Designs, a small, home-based interior design firm founded by Wilmer Lopez. Initially a solo endeavor, the firm grew to include three interior designers and slowly expanded its reach. In 2009, Lopez established Space Encounters as a full-fledged interior design firm. Thor Balanon, who left a career in advertising, joined the team, and Space Encounters was initially envisioned as the retail front of the business.
The turning point came when the team won the bid to refresh the interiors of Chowking and Greenwich Pizza. This success transformed Space Encounters into a leading interior design firm, with rapid growth fueled by the precision and speed honed during the quick-service restaurant (QSR) projects. The firm’s roster of clients expanded to include notable brands such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Penguin, Digital Walker, the food hall Hole in the Wall, Nono’s, and Lampara, among others.
In January 2018, Space Encounters Gallery was launched, merging the worlds of interior design and art. This new venture reflected the team’s passion for crafting spaces that inspire creativity and storytelling.
In 2022, Wilmer Lopez was recognized as the Outstanding Professional of the Year for Interior Design by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)—a testament to the team’s dedication to excellence and innovation in the field.
As we celebrate 15 years, we remain committed to what we do best: creating spaces that are creative, engaging, and solution-driven—interiors that tell a story while inviting visitors to create their own, both locally and internationally. Exciting projects on the horizon include the global rollout of CBTL branches and the development of a new mall.
Thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement throughout the years. Keep watching this space for more to come.
