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A Serene and Luxurious Escape in Batangas

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A vacation home with a simple and unusual layout, arranged around a canyon-like narrow view piercing its center, is the first house designed by Philippines-based architecture firm Archipelago. A real estate developer commissioned it as a weekend residence in Punta Fuego, Batangas, Philippines.

The vacation house forms a cross shape when seen from the street. Little can be seen of the house, other than the glimpse right through the center.

But inside, the narrow canyon opens up with an overwhelming jolt of sea view. The client’s brief was for a modern, serene and luxurious oasis to retreat from the city.

Keeping the restraint of the narrow canyon is an unusual approach to a view. The cross shape seen from the street is repeated in plan.

From the sides, the central stair is seen here as part of the rooms, both connecting and separating them.

Throughout the cavernous but light interior, a quietly luxurious combination of Travertine stone is played against stark white.

The restrained palette continues into the kitchen.

Intersected by the central stairway, all of the living spaces are treated as one large room, which leads out to a veranda, deck and pool.

The stair volume runs continuously from the street down into the water.

It succeeds as an escapist dream, all with stunning views of Nasugbu Bay and the South China Sea.