Homes / lifenatural cross-ventilation to keep the space cool; wide
windows to bring air and light into the structure,
limiting the need for electrical lighting and cooling;
and nature framed in such a way that the house seems
like a natural part of the environment as opposed to an
inorganic object encroaching upon it.
It is also a neater approach to design. “You don’t need
to put in so many elements for space planning,” Pineda
explains. “All you need is a fluid plan, and the space
borrows connectivity from nature.” Indeed, this particular
structure does not involve the usual compartmentalised
architecture that so characterises many modern homes.
The ceiling and eaves are seamless, and the way external
paths and interior staircases are designed calls to mind
natural movement: an easy meandering flow from one
point to another.
For all its modern sensibilities, however, there is
something characteristically Filipino about the interiors of
this house. One of Layug’s dynamic paintings dominates a
wall in the sitting room, reminiscent of traditional tribal
motifs with its bold brushstrokes and monochromatic
palette. There are abaca benches on the deck, and the
classic solihiya weave used in local furniture gets a modern
twist with the use of wire in sturdy but aesthetically on-
point chairs for the roofdeck. Kenneth Cobonpue pieces
in key areas of the house further bolster the emphasis on
modern Filipino design.
Layug refers to the aesthetic that characterises this
particular project as “practical luxury”—essentially the
art of maximising any given space and transforming it
into a comfortable living environment where one can
relax, socialise, and be at peace with the world.WINE AND DINE
There is enough space between the dining room and garden for a tête-à-tête; (opposite) The owners can enjoy breakfast or sunset drinks up on the deck
philippine tatler. august 2019 71