“TROPICAL RESORT LIVING.”
This is the theme for this sprawling mansion located in Alabang Hills. The clients, a couple with a daughter, are partially based overseas and they want this to be their abode in Metro Manila, thus, the project is called Manila Home. Nestled in the heart of urban Muntinlupa but in an area of the village with lush greenery and fronting a park, the design takes advantage of the micro-climate and features elements for passive cooling. 
Climate adjustment elements
The abundance of plants is a signature of tropical architecture, and this is prominent in the facade. It not only helps provide fresh air, it also provides a boost to the colder micro-climate of the surrounding area. The property also faces west, normally less climatically desirable because of its exposure to the scorching afternoon sun, but GARPE Architecture designed wood-plastic composite (WPC) sunshields on customized sliding tracks. This gives the client the freedom to have it open in the mornings to take in the view of the park, and then close it in the afternoons when the glare of the sun is the harshest. The WPC panels also blend in really well with the tropical vibe that the house is going for, and this extends downward into the entrance and the main door for a cohesive design aesthetic. 
GEOMETRY AND VOLUME
Manila Home is a three-level 700-square meter residence with a semi-basement, supposedly a hulking structure towering above its neighbors. To mitigate this and keep the hallmarks of tropical architecture, much of its volume is distributed across the wide 28-meter frontage. For instance, the third level housing the gym and the roof deck is recessed from the facade, so the focus is on the width rather than the height. This width is further emphasized by the deep overhangs of each level and the shallow pitch of the roof.Expansive glass windows on the ground floor areas provide a nice balance to the WPC sunshields on the second floor. On the other hand, if the sun shields are open, it would reveal floor to ceiling glass sliding doors in the masters’ quarters which still provides a nice pairing to the glass windows below.
Refreshing resort interiors
The moment you enter the gate, you will be welcomed by a koi pond, whereupon the stairs leading up to the entrance are “floating”. Turning left from the entrance stairs, you can access the main door, clad in the same material as the sun shields. Tubular steel canopy painted black overhang the entrance to let rays of sunlight in which reflects nicely on the water feature.
Entering the main door, there is an accent wall that serves as the divider between the foyer and the rest of the house. From the foyer, one is teased with a glimpse of the pool from the corner glass.
Beyond this, the living, dining, and kitchen areas are spread out in an open plan on the right wing of the house. 
The kitchen has sliding doors that can be closed should the masters of the house, both of them passionate about food, decide they want to work their kitchen magic in private.
The clients love to entertain their friends, so the common areas all have full height sliding doors that can be opened should the action spill outside into the lanai and the pool. These doors also allow lots of natural light in, and the sweeping views of the outside really embodies the essence of tropical architecture.
There is an entertainment area on the left wing of the house for more intimate guests, or an area for the family to hang out at movie or game nights. It also has floor to ceiling sliding doors that open directly to the poolside, with three lounge chairs ready for them should they decide to take a day off and just bask in the sun. A small plant box with a shrub and flowering bushes separates this little private area from the lanai.
The two wings of the house are joined by a glass lined hallway with indoor plants on one side. The stairs leading to the upper floors are bathed in lots of natural light owing to the full windows spanning the entire stairwell. 
One wing of the second floor is entirely devoted to the master’s quarters, while the other wing is split between their daughter’s quarters and the guest room.The master’s quarters is a self-contained section of the house with an office, an anteroom, a full bathroom and walk-in closet, and their bedroom.
Office
AnteroomThe bedroom, anteroom, and the office have floor-to-ceiling windows giving them a wonderful view of the park if the sun shields are slid open. Each has its own balcony where they could hang out and chat as they revel in the cool breeze.
Master’s Bedroom
Walk-in closetFor their daughter’s quarters, she has a playroom which can later be converted into her study when she’s older. 
The blush pink walls are quite a departure from the general house palette of grays, blacks, whites, and browns, but are very fitting for a young girl. It provides a nice soft contrast to the colors, but is a good match to the engineered wood floors.
Going up to the third level, there is a gym and a bathroom. The gym is enclosed but two of its four walls have full size windows giving a generous view of the Alabang skyline. 
As you step out into the roof deck, a panoramic view of the park is afforded to you. Evening celebrations can be held here where the clients and their guests can enjoy chill night air and party the night away.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Lot Area - 700 sqm
Floor Area - 720 sqm
No. of Storeys - 3 (with 1 basement)
No. of Bedrooms - 3
No. of Bathrooms - 6
