cocooned in nature

A tropical design draws wisdom and inspiration from biophilic elements, local architecture, and the topographical characteristics of the site

- Li Haohan

The Residence At Makiling Reserve is insulated with natural barriers consisting of a park in front and a couple of golf fairways at the back. Meanwhile, its locale, which lies south of Metropolitan Manila, is known for its gently elevated slopes blanketed by a lush vegetation. This residential project sits on a 4,000 sqm plot and has a gross floor area of 2,077 sqm.

The surrounding trees drew the clients to the area which in turn gave Anthony Nazareno, principal and founder of Nazareno Architecture + Design, a starting point. As some of the trees were already mature, preserving them became imperative, he says. This ultimately dictated the design of the house, one that is organically woven around the trees – a strategy that creates a seamless connection between the built structure and its natural surroundings, he adds. Another inspiration for the sprawling structure, and the use of the sedimentary stone adobe in some of its parts, came from the bungalow in which one of the owners was raised.

Nazareno brought multifaceted connections of various parts and distinct biophilic elements. The end result is a distinctly Filipino bungalow with a modern appeal. “The Residence at the Makiling Reserve is a celebration of traditional materiality indigenous to the Philippines,” Nazareno declares. “Clad in adobe and tanguile wood planks, it is a formidable outline of vernacular materials. While it closely follows the principles of contemporary architecture in terms of open spaces, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling fenestrations, and a simple material palette, the home veers away from green building trends and instead shifts its focus towards sustainability.”