Permanent Pleasures

An exercise in crafting space, material, and texture for a house of unadulterated enjoyment in Manila that sets Nazareno + Guerrero Design Consultancy apart from the rest

- Lawrence Carlos

In a private neighborhood in Pasig, the CD Residence is Nazareno + Guerrero Design Consultancy’s latest private home offering, for the De Guzman family of five. Its restrained appearance belies the gregariousness of the De Guzmans, especially when they fondly delve into the stories behind their new home. Starting on-site in July 2017 and completed in January 2019, the house reflects the clients’ openness to unique materials as much as architect Anthony Nazareno’s flair for architectural tectonics.

On the 425-square-meter bounded lot, the designers inserted a glass pane at the base of the fence wall high enough that one is curious to peek through to the front door but low enough to maintain privacy. If there’s anything to rest your eyes on, it’s the clean-cut black lava stone that appears to prop up the fence and clads the front elevation. Nazareno tells of a time he was awed by the “jarring” experience of being surrounded by black lava stone on the terrace of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art extension (SFMoMA), designed by world-renowned Norwegian firm Snøhetta. The contrast of light finishes with the darkness of the volcanic stone became the architect’s starting point for this house.