Words Cholo Claver and Tracy Santos
Editing The Kanto Team
Images Greg Mayo
The C Residence in Banawe, Quezon City came with an unconventional brief. The client, a newlywed couple, wanted a simple house with an unassuming and closed-off front façade. This is to protect the home from prying eyes, especially since the house was in a non-gated subdivision. While desiring utmost privacy for the exteriors, the couple wanted uplifting interior spaces to relax, nurture and shelter their growing family. Taking into consideration the site’s context, the existing architectural plans of the house, and two towering firewalls on the left and right of the property, we were faced with the challenge of crafting interior spaces that feel airy, comfortable, and nurturing, with very limited light passing through.
We maximized every available opening for the spaces, capturing daylight by using finishes that were light and neutral-toned, such as light oak wood, travertine, marble stone tiles, and off-white plaster. Earth-toned furniture pieces with organic silhouettes were chosen to complement the lighter finishes, helping add warmth and a welcoming atmosphere to the interiors. Since the clients are budding art collectors, we opted to limit wall accents and used Venetian plaster as the main wall finish. We paired the highly-textural plaster with black metal finishes for a sleek, modern touch.
Having a well-lit and spacious show kitchen has always been the dream of the client, a culinary arts enthusiast. The working heart of the kitchen is centered around a large island, which includes the breakfast nook, range, and a suspended hood. As a result of feng shui considerations to the existing plans, the range is located parallel to the oven and refrigerator and perpendicular to the sink. The glass cabinets at the center of the kitchen’s rear wall showcase the client’s collection of imported pots and pans but also act as a barrier to conceal the fire exit located outside. Natural light streams into the kitchen and dining area from two counter-to-ceiling height windows that flank the sides of the glass cabinets. The kitchen is also closed off from the dining area by floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors to prevent cooking odors from seeping into the dining and living room.
A house’s staircase is often the nexus that unites levels, uses, and people. As the residence’s largest visitor-facing interior feature, the desire was for the staircase to become an artistic showcase without sacrificing its utility. The stairs’ railings, balustrades, treads, and landings are all wrapped with engineered wood, complemented by a concrete railing. Guiding the user’s steps up to the roof deck as well as drawing both inhabitants’ and visitors’ attention is an elegant dropdown chandelier. Resembling sheets of paper cascading down the house’s levels, the chandelier’s luminous presence imbues the space with lightness and animation.
Each bedroom is personalized following the preferred style and approach of its inhabitant but there are design elements and finishes that are consistent throughout the rooms. To soften the textural finish of the Venetian plaster walls, fabric paneling was used to finish the padded headboards and bed frames. In addition to the bed, there are relaxation nooks that feature a lounge chair and side table for each of the rooms.
The household’s family room is private and intimate in size. We wanted to make the area feel bigger by maximizing each space in terms of functionality. A full-height storage wall system that houses the TV console and display shelves for future artwork is anchored to the rear wall of the room. Opposite this wall is the pantry nook with a floating counter with mirrored backing. The L-shaped sofa, coffee table, lounge chair, and side table complete the space.
The main entertainment area for the clients is located on the covered roof deck. Since this area is largely exposed to natural phenomena, furniture pieces with synthetic rattan and wood finishes were chosen for their durability. The designers took into consideration the ceiling height by recessing parts of it in wood and adding fans to cool the space. To finish up the space, the walls were finished in stucco, and the flooring in travertine tiles. As the part of the house most receptive to natural ventilation, we made sure to keep large openings unimpeded by walls but secured with grilles and louvers.
Lastly, the house’s mancave was designed to host select guests in a space resembling a luxury hotel’s bar and lounge. Dark wood paneling gives the space both class and intimacy, further complemented by furniture pieces in palettes of grey and marble. The green velvet stools by the bar provide a pop of color and sophistication to the space. Tucked in the rear wall is the bar counter with display shelves for assorted liquor and a TV for watching sports or a karaoke session. •
Project Information
Project location: Banawe, Quezon City
Project area: 682 sqm
Project completion: June 2022
Project cost: PHP 40M
Project Team
Design team: Architects Cholo Claver and Tracy Santos
Photography: Greg Mayo
Write up: Cholo Claver and Tracy Santos
Key Brands
Engineered wood flooring: Diamond Concept, Listone Giordano
Floor and wall tiles: Metro Tiles, Diamond Concept
Wall plaster: Vasari
Glass windows and doors: Kenneth and Mock
Lighting: Lightitude
Furniture: Neu Muri Furniture, Avant Garde Retails
Kitchen: Cooking Room
Modular cabinets: District Design Modulars
Countertops: Stefistone
Toilet fixtures: Toto
