Surrounded by Nature

This home maximises its panoramic landscape that includes even a mountain with an open plan that echoes modern Filipino living

- Chit L Lijauco

She’s always wanted “a Budji house”, having known Budji Layug through her mum who is the designer’s friend from school days. So, when she and her businessman husband planned their “weekend home”, Layug was the one she called.

“She showed me the property and gave me the brief,” Layug related. “It was to be a home to entertain family and friends because they have no children. The location was ideal, something that will not make them drive too far out from their city home. It also had an adjacent golf course for the husband who is an avid golfer.”

Her requirements were quite clear. “I want a rest house for friends. So, I need a lot of bedrooms, a swimming pool, the services, etc etc.” To which the designer instantly remarked: “But the lot you have is too small for what you are asking.” His advice? “Buy the lot beside you.”

Right there and then, the couple called the village, learnt the lot was available and bought it immediately. ““So, I had 1,000sqm to work with instead of the original 500sqm,” Layug happily said.

“A longer corner lot gave a very panoramic profile,” commented Royal Pineda, the other half of Budji + Royal Design + Architecture. “And that really became the concept and the inspiration for this project. The entire stretch of the house is revealed as early as when you enter the foyer. The lanai, the pool, the living room, the dining, the kitchen—they are all presented to you in an awesome panoramic view with a background of trees and the mystical Mt Makiling in the horizon.”