The Homes of Zee

Cabin Fever

Destiny, or so it seemed, is how this massive wooden house on a hill came together. Almost by pure chance—according to the homeowners—the buying, the water sourcing, even getting their architect, all felt like a series of fortunate events. Though their original house in the city had so many advantages, there is nothing like realizing a dream home, and to this day, the homeowners and their children have no regret of moving up to the heights of Busay hills.

A good forty-five meters of ragged terrain were sliced off the hilltop to provide a flat area where this 1,000 square meter, six bedroom, six bathroom house now stands on its promontory, 300 meters above sea level. The homeowners’ love for natural materials triggered the use of wood all throughout construction. Narra, magkuno, tugas, and pine were brought in from Dipolog, Surigao, Cagayan de Oro, and even as far as Papua New Guinea.

On a fateful social event, Architect Tessie Javier also offered her services, feeling challenged by the unique idea of having this log cabin aesthetic in Cebu, and wanted to help them maximize the potential of their design. By fusing nature with technology in a simple tasteful style, the architect extended the rooms from their original sizes; framed the breath-taking surrounding scenery with nearly foot-to-ceiling corner windows; and took full advantage of the already existing spaces by installing gigantic all-natural two-storey magkuno wood pillars all around the house. This is also the architect’s favourite feature, “the first and probably the last I would do in Cebu. It is very unique in Cebu home design,” she says. “Every time I visit I am still awed by these columns.” The architect and homeowners also rave about the towering solid narra main door, made from one huge piece of plank wood almost five centimeters thick, opening into a huge open encompassing the living room and the dining area flooded with natural light from the expansive glass windows specially cut by Kenneth and Mock’s plant in Manila.

The whole family was heavily involved from the concept to the completion of this dream home. The four children designed their rooms together with the architect. The result are expansive walk-in closets with gigantic mirrors, narra “floating” beds, space saving German-technology sliding screen doors also by Kenneth and Mock, accented by furniture pieces from Kenneth Cobonpue and Vito Selma. In a separate section, the two boys share a huge room with a bath room that open with glass doors on three sides, and a rain shower that falls on river stones.

To make part of the exterior walls they simply veneered the on-site rock that was excavated, and integrated several pre-war wood planks for the dining area ceiling. Designed and made by the man of the house himself were several outdoor seating sets, and his favorite is a huge magkuno tree root that he turned into an outdoor table. The house is very far from the city, but it is closest to nature with its countless organic and natural facets. This is also generally one home without much fuss. The utilities closets were integrated into the walls through secret push-open closets. Most of the furniture is also new, including architect’s picks of a shell Carlos Lanuza bedroom lamp, Vito Selma dining chairs set against a family-designed lazy-susan from a sawn-off magkuno tree trunk, and the woman of the house’s favorite item, a Maitland-Smith sitting frog tissue dispenser.

Architect Tessie Javier is happy with the outcome of this home, and she hopes that this will become a benchmark for unique residential design in Cebu. Surely wood is difficult to manipulate, the hilly terrain a real challenge to develop, and even sourcing the water at such a raised area presented many hurdles, but these were collective struggles that produced a sweeter, dearer yield. “I feel good that the home owners are happy with my participation,” added Architect Javier. “The house gives me the same pride it gives the owners.” And the family also admitted that the completion of this home has made them feel closer as they all want to spend more time at home. Their lifestyle is more relaxed as the elevated property also promises security and privacy. “Thinking about it makes me feel really blessed,” exclaimed the gracious woman of the house—it’s like just as they say, the higher the “hill” the closer to God.

by IAN E. BAOL photographer GENESIS RANA

The Homes of Zee

THE HOMES OF ZEE: A Cosmopolitan Life

A home for a young couple that mixes tradition and modernity.

By Eva Gullas photography Pablo Quiza

If Colin and Araminta had a penthouse in Cebu, this would be it. This 15-storey buiding in the heart of Cebu’s financial district is easy to spot but not many people know that its top floor is actually home to a young couple and their toddler son. And a huge King Shepherd dog, Vesian.

After years of residing abroad, the prospect of building a home from scratch, or in this case, the carcass of a whole floor of an unfinished building, is anything but easy. Having to transform more than a thousand square meters of open space into a family home is a daunting task that takes a lot of imagination and is not for the faint-hearted. It didn’t start that way, of course. The original plan was to construct a house in one of the city’s gated communities. But it wasn’t too hard to convince the man of the house that having a home in the city center would give him the ease of being close to the business and a garage big enough for his car collection. “Being born and raised in Hong Kong and having the city below me was something I got used to,” he quips.

First on the design plan was to ensure a double-height ceiling fronted by a wall of glass that would give clear views of the sky, the city’s business center and Mactan Island beyond. The partitions came next. For this, the home-owners, Martin and Claudia Yeung, consulted with Arlen de Guzman, the Manila-based interior designer whose discipline comes mostly from working on projects involving the hospitality industry. Arlen spent 20 years working for HBA in Hong Kong, including the design for the Grand Hyatt Hotel, before setting up his own shop.

The mutual respect shared between the client and Arlen has made this home the way it is. As expected from someone who moves in and out of some of the most stylish homes and hotels, Martin has a very particular taste. With his direction, the decorator executed most of the division plans, including a space for a gym and a pool table, and the master’s bedroom with a loft TV room and a huge space for the closet area and en suite bathroom. In the loft area, the most private sanctum in this home, a highly coveted collection of Hollywood memorabilia is on display. The treasure trove features Achilles’ helmet worn by Brad Pitt in the movie Troy, the Lannister mask from Game of Thrones, and the Roman cuirass used by Maximus played by actor Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator, among others. “It started as a hobby, but now it’s turning into a good investment as well,” Martin laughingly adds. Prices for these items bought at auction have more than doubled in recent years.

Entry to this private residence goes through a series of security checks, from guards and protection details at the lobby level, to the many cameras that are strategically positioned. If that doesn’t deter unwelcome guests, the ginormous size of 200-pound Vesian should stop anyone in his tracks.

The very essence of sophistication meets guests the moment the elevator doors open. At the entrance, a large rococo framed painting against a wood paneled wall, a modern glass chandelier and dark hide floor covering set the tone for things to come. Tall wooden doors on both sides of the elevator serve as access to the apartment. Stepping inside, the expansive view and the sheer enormity of the living and dining areas that almost spans the entire width of the building is something you don’t often see unless you check in to a luxury hotel like an urban Aman or a Four Seasons.

An open kitchen of wood and black glass anchors the far side and is equipped with a built-in refrigerator, ice-maker, freezer and storage cabinets hidden below the counter while behind its wall is the service kitchen. On the opposite end of the kitchen is the powder room, concealed neatly with 2 sides of exposed glass walls overlooking more city views.

The open floor plan has several seating arrangements—dark leather sofas and club chairs with Italian tables, a dining table made of solid hard wood with 14 seats and a bar filled with bottles of single malt scotch. Lighting is a big deal as well in this home. Several easel lamps and dark wrought-iron chandeliers play a huge role, but it’s the hidden ceiling lighting fixtures, with its various mood-changing combinations activated by remote control, that truly add to the drama. Set against a backdrop of glass and bare cement walls, leather and fine wood carpentry, the lighting effects evoke a welcoming luxury and a refined urbanity with the cityscape sprawled before your eyes. The layering of different styles is the main point in the over-all design. “I would think that it’s a good balance of tradition and modernity,” Martin sums it up.

If there’s not enough space, one floor up is the rooftop deck which provides more entertaining room. Furnished with outdoor sofas and added dining areas, this is the perfect venue for a good party on any given night.

As the only son of an industrialist family, Martin is actively involved in moving the family corporation forward. He is heavily invested in tourism with the company’s real estate portfolio including some of the most desirable beach properties in Cebu. The first premium resort he developed is the posh resort of Kandaya in the north. He’s currently developing an expansion that would offer an alternate lodging that is more affordable.

“Cebu is home to me and my family now,” admits the itinerant gentleman who is well-loved by his employees. “There’s a lot of potential here, and we would like to be part of the growth of this country.”

Design

Trendy Renovation Ideas for the Home or Condo. Part 4

by Christa M. Cañizares IDr.

Part 4: Upgrade your Choices

A. Create different moods with lighting. The use of warm colored indirect lighting such as lamps, colored LED back lights, or even string lights can create a cozy and relaxing vibe after a day’s work.

Beautiful lighting can transform a small modern apartment.

B.) Convert to smart home systems. From door locks, CCTV cameras, you’ll also be able to control and turn on lights, appliances even if you’re away from home. All you need is a wifi connection and the applications on your mobile phone.

Smart phone apps can also control lights and home appliances.

C.) Hire a professional interior designer. We always get an impression that hiring a professional would be expensive, but they actually help you make the best choices and save you from making bad purchases.

Go over design options and your color palette with a professional interior designer to get better results and save more.

IDr. Christa M. Cañizares, piid
Founding Member, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers – Cebu Chapter
Principal Designer, CMC Interior Design
Specializes in residential and commercial design.
A homebody and renovation aficionado.

Design

Trendy Renovation Ideas for the Home or Condo. Part 3

Trendy Home & Condo Renovation Tips. Part 3

by Christa M. Cañizares IDr.

Part 3: Maximize Impact of Small Spaces

A.) Storage spaces. You can go with concealed storage systems such as built-in cabinets on walls, under the bed or seating. Keep the items that you use often more reachable than the occasional ones. Choose what works best for your space and for your convenience.

There are many affordable storage options to de-clutter your room.

B.) Showcase your collection of interesting conversation pieces, like items you acquire from past travels, an artwork, an heirloom, coffee table books or a collector’s item. Make sure to save a special place for them in your home.

Your personal collections can be nice decorative pieces.

C.) Move things around to attract renewed energy into your space. May it be moving a sofa to the adjacent wall, creating a dining nook near a window, shuffling your accessories on to a different shelf? Little efforts go a long way.