Tropical Luxury

For this corner lot, space and drama are achieved by adding a third layer, a roof deck with an awesome view

- Chit L Lijauco

Five hundred square metres for a lot is relatively modest. But in the expert hands of the architect Royal Pineda and designer Budji Layug, it is still a canvas for a creative project as stunning and imposing as one on an area twice or even four times this size. “Be it 500, or a thousand, or more, it is always a challenge to find that feeling of luxury,” says Pineda, the other half of top architecture and design firm Budji+Royal.

What works for this project is that this corner lot is open at three sides: two into the roads and one into the park. Only one side has a neighbouring house.

“The owners wanted a house that will represent a blending of their personality and of our design approach: Filipino modern sensibility. They are young entrepreneurs and have only one son,” says Layug. Pineda echoes this design directive of their clients and adds: “They also said, ‘We want you to play with it because we want your approach.’ These words about having the freedom to design are music to the ears of an architect and a designer.”

What emerged from the drawing board is a three-storey modern structure, exactly what the owners dreamed their house to be: young, open, luxurious, and tropical.

The ground floor comprises the living and dining areas as well as the open kitchen overlooking the pool and the garden. Sharing the space are the service areas and a three-car garage. “The space was made larger through the employment of mirrors and a double-height ceiling,” Layug shares.