A SCULPTED ELEGANCE

Step inside the Viewpoint House designed by architect Jim Caumeron, where he brandishes his affinity for minimalism at a marvellous scale

- Mac Fabella

The architect Jim Caumeron’s design of the Viewpoint House, which hailed him as last year’s winner of the first-ever Tatler Homes Design Award for Best Architectural Concept, doesn’t fail to captivate. Occupying an L-shaped lot in a gated Quezon City subdivision, this family residence is a striking marvel from any angle, with exteriors that are defined by strong lines, a magnanimous use of painted and unpainted concrete, as well as massive glass windows that welcome plenty of daylight indoors. How does one even begin to envisage such an innovative vision of a home? As Caumeron once told Tatler, he approached the design of this spectacular, minimalist home by considering its close surroundings, masterfully highlighting the importance of visual connections and quality workmanship in his distinct style.

The concept for the house was derived from the site itself. With the neighbours’ fence walls flanking both sides of the property, there were not many views to celebrate save for the small park nearby which had a flourishing acacia tree on the corner. This became Caumeron’s starting point, or rather the viewpoint which dictated the unique form and design language of the residence. The architect aspired to have most of the spaces in the house look out onto the greenery, providing the living room with a raised picture window that makes the crown of the tree an inescapable sight while protecting the visibility of the interiors from the street.