It is Filipino Moderne
SIGNA IS the country’s first residential development whose design is shaped by the vision of prominent designers. The collaboration of Budji Layug + Royal Pineda Design Architects and Kenneth Cobonpue brings the concept of Filipino Moderne to condo living.
Robinson Land Corp.’s 29-story, 702-unit twin-tower development will rise on Ayala Avenue in 2015. Design consultant Layug and architect Pineda conceived Signa as a floating building, as if supported by giant stilts, with only glass, water features and the landscape on street level.
“The idea is to open up to the sky. Usually podiums are two floors and solid mass. Here, you see the legs floating against a background of clear space. We’re bringing back the garden to Makati,” explains Pineda.
“It will buffer residents from the congested streets. With an outdoor plaza, we’re trying to give the ground floor to the people instead of parked cars.”
The ground floor will be the lifestyle level with a floating walkway, surrounded by water as the focal point. It connects to an al fresco lounge or waiting area lined with teak-wood flooring. The water feature defines the space of the plaza, which, in turn, acts as a buffer zone to the lobby. People inside the lobby and arcade can enjoy privacy yet savor the vistas through the glass expanse.
Lifted footing
The four-story stilts are actually a lifted footing. To viewers on the ground level, these will provide a sense of openness and unobstructed views of Ayala, Valero and VA Rufino Streets. A two-way driveway forms a loop around the building and into the basement parking.
“With so many one-way streets, this driveway is designed to avoid the long route going around the whole street just to go back to the same point,” says Pineda.
A floating walkway will connect the two buildings. Nearly 15 meters from the ground, it will hold the swimming pool which is adjacent to the amenities area. The condominium units will be housed starting from the sixth level. Vertical shafts in the building will provide the cross-ventilation and natural light.
“The beauty of this building is that it is also built on a one-bedroom module which can be converted into a two- or three-bedroom unit,” says Pineda.
Buyers have the choice of the Designer or the Designer Luxe units.
“With a regular condo, you get the plaster-painted walls, cabinetry, homogenous tile flooring and few designer details—just the layout. With Designer Luxe, you get the finishes, upgraded kitchen fittings, toilet fittings, frosted glass, cove lights, architectural ceilings, Corian counter tops and more dramatic colors,” says Layug.
Clients will also have the option to purchase Cobonpue’s furniture.
Layug is using devices to give the illusion of space.
“We open it up by using glass partitions (between the bedroom and public areas). Sliding doors can give you privacy and take out the solidity. They create more space and bring in more light. We’re using a lot of mirrors to visually expand and brighten up the place.”
The ceiling is relatively high—2.9 meters. In the bedroom, mirrors are angled toward each other to reflect more views. The cabinets between the bathroom and bedroom are done in frosted glass and veneer.
The transparency of the cabinets facilitates natural light streaming in all the way to the bathroom. Some bathrooms will feature a sink mounted on a ledge made of Corian. Wood veneers on the cabinetry and doors lend warmth to the modern materials.
Succession of spaces
The 60-sqm unit offers a service area and a toilet and bath for the maid. The open plan shows the succession of spaces: kitchen, dining area and living area, a powder room and a den which can be converted into another bedroom.
The walls are graphicoted to tie in with the shiny surfaces of the kitchen, says Layug.
“We try not to have as much painted, or matte surfaces, except for the dark-gray walls. There’s lots of shine so there is lightness.”
Cobonpue infused a playful touch to the units. His furnishings complement the indoor-outdoor feel of the building. The model units sport modern woven pieces, combined with new Scandinavian-inspired designs and paper lamps.
Cobonpue favored violets, purples and green to complement the gray tones of the 60-sqm unit, and old-rose accents in the one-bedroom unit.
“As cities expand, spaces become smaller. My furniture are open and skeletal. They are not as heavy. We’ve been designing smaller proportioned furniture because there’s a demand,” he says.
Although the condo units are very compact, there’s been a lot of interest in Signa because of the prime location—and the designers who are behind it.
For details on Signa, please contact Reby Ramirez @ +63 916.4044.555 / +63 922.883.9308 / +63 919.699.3572 or e-mail her at reby_ramirez@yahoo.com.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, 06 October 2010
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