Tops Redevelopment
Tops Redevelopment Busay, Cebu Client:Fifth Avenue Property Development Location:Cebu, Philippines Building Type: Commercial Mixed-use Site Area: 10,000 sq.m. Total Floor Area: 5,408 sq.m. No. of Storeys: 3 floors Status:Partially Complete Harmony between Old and New Tops is a 1980s lookout in the mountains of Cebu, Philippines, named such because it is located at one of the highest elevations in the city. It is blessed with an unmatched bird’s eye view of a vast urban scape with a backdrop of the beauty of a tropical archipelago. It is one of the locality’s top tourist destinations. The redevelopment project involves the creation of dining, commercial, and entertainment spaces to revitalize the current lookout function. Instead of destroying the existing structure, the architects decided to build around it. The old curved stone divider walls that formerly supported a torus-shaped roof was preserved together with the hexagonal pavement pattern of the main viewing deck. The new three-story building embraces the old lookout and the viewing deck is extended to create a more expansive open space for the appreciation of the site’s most valuable asset – the views. By leveraging the site’s context to highlight its assets and incorporating the positive qualities of the old structures, the proposed development demonstrates an innovative design solution that enhances the site’s overall appeal. The preservation of architectural elements from the old structures adds to the emotional resonance of the design, particularly among locals who take pride in their heritage – in this case, the city itself which is viewed from the development. The design also retains the nostalgia that old-time visitors have for Tops. Highlighting the site’s assets The new building is a steel and concrete structure clad by aluminum louver bands that act as a ventilated façade element and a sunshade for the interior commercial spaces. These bands will also serve as the building’s distinguishable architectural element that “resonates” throughout the whole structure. The use of brown hues is typical of modern vernacular Filipino architecture. The color blends well with the development’s green natural environs and the preserved old architectural elements. Visitors of the new Tops alight in an open circular drop-off area directly connected to the development’s main entrance – a parabolic concrete structure clad with locally sourced stones. The architects wanted a tunnel configuration for the entry to intentionally provide a “shock and awe” transition from the arrival to the main viewing deck. From a semi-enclosed space, visitors get to peek at the viewing deck framed by the old stone divider walls. After a brief walk, the space abruptly shifts to an expansive viewing deck open to the sky. From the center of the circular platform, two artistically designed stair constructions border the city view. These sculptural stairs add to the uniqueness of the place and invite visitors to go up to the upper floors to have more appreciation of the views. These end-to-end access stairs also allow freedom for visitors to roam around the development along the development’s commercial establishments. Back to Projects
Coral Bay Suites
Coral Bay Suites Initao, Misamis Oriental Client:A Brown Company Inc. Location:Misamis Oriental, Philippines Building Type: Residential Condominium Site Area: 2 hectares Total Floor Area: 13,000 sq.m. No. of Storeys: 4 to 8 floors Status:Ongoing Construction Condominium-living by the sea The most precious asset of the development is its site. It is adjacent to the sea. The buildings were planned such that all residential units have a visual connection to the sea. The development is low-density. The architecture is tranquil through the use of simple volumes and the neutral white color. The landscape will use tropical plants complementing to the resort vibe of the complex. The amenity spaces are sprawling. There is abundant pool space and a low amphitheater garden. The condominium complex was master planned similar to a resort hotel. Back to Projects
AppleOne Medical Arts
AppleOne Medical Arts Cebu City, Cebu Client:AppleOne Properties Inc. Location:Cebu City Building Type:Commercial Mixed-use Site Area:2,402 sq.m. Total Floor Area:21,000 sq.m. Status:Completed Passionate for Healthcare Employing the design principles of sustainability, people-centeredness, and community relevance, ArchiGlobal Inc. maximized open space and natural air circulation in the common areas of this new Medical Arts building by opening up the interior spaces to nature. The additional façade treatment provides sunshade to the working areas and gives the existing building a new tranquil look. The new medical arts building is a building that breathes. The design approach is not a mere reaction to the COVID pandemic but a real effort to create a medical facility design that speaks about its passion for healthcare. Back to Projects
La Arcada
L’ ARCADA Zamboanga City Client:Kennlee Development Corp. Location:Zamboanga City, Philippines Building Type: Commercial Site Area: 4,000 sq.m. Total Floor Area: 6,130 sq.m. No. of Storeys: 3 floors Status:Completed Maximizing the shops’ visibility L’ Arcada is a retail strip mall that makes use of the property’s shape to provide a very efficient circulation system and maximize the visibility of the shops from road. The building’s form is defined by its shed roof profile. Slanted bracket elements mimic the eaves support used in some Filipino vernacular architecture. The development exudes a more lively vibe in the evening when the tenant spaces are lighted and add hues to the building’s neutral color. Back to Projects
Piazza
Piazza Buhangin, Davao City Client:Grand Land, Inc. Location:Davao City Building Type: Condominium Site Area: 1.8 hectares Total Floor Area:40,491 sq.m. No. of Towers:5 towers No. of Storeys:12-14 floors Status:Phased Construction A classical take Piazza is a contiguous development of Amani Citygate with a completely distinct theme. The residential units surround a huge courtyard with classical European garden landscape. The buildings have a calm, high-end and serene look. They are interconnected by a network of well-lit gardens that house the development’s amenities. At night, the development becomes true to its name. It exudes a piazza, typical of squares you see in Europe. Back to Projects
GOLDEN TOPPER – LAVIDA
La Vida Pasay, Metro Manila Client:Golden Topper, Inc. Location:Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines Building Type: Mixed-Use Condominium Site Area: 5,278.60 sq.m. Total Floor Area: 115,051.80 sq.m. No. of Towers: 2 towers No. of Storeys: Tower A: 35, Tower B: 33 Status:On-going Construction A city life block Located in the heart of Pasay City, La Vida is composed of two residential towers which includes SOHO (small office home office) units and multi-colored balconies which bring the façade to life. Amenities are located above the podium, between the two towers, and include a swimming pool, gym, and function rooms. There are commercial and retail spaces on the ground floor as well as on the upper floors. The height of the towers assures one of breath-taking views of the city below. Its proximity to the conveniences of the city is an added factor to its attractiveness as a place of residence as well as its promise of a healthy and well-balanced work-life lifestyle. Retail Block Amenity Floor Pool Amenity Back to Projects
GOLDEN TOPPER – CITY CLOU
City Clou Cebu City, Cebu Client:Redland Properties, Inc. Developer:Kiddie Smart (Philippines), Inc. Location:Cebu City, Philippines Building Type: Mixed-Use Site Area: 14,914 sq.m. Total Floor Area: 173,520 sq.m. No. of Towers: 5 towers No. of Storeys: 23-36 floors Status:Phased Construction A mini-city City Clou is a mixed-use development consisting of four condominium towers and one BPO tower located in the heart of Cebu City. Amenities include a clubhouse, gym, pocket gardens, playgrounds for kids, three swimming pools and three floors of retail space. It is within walking distance from supermarkets, schools, hospitals, various dining and entertainment establishments, banks, retail outlets, and places of worship. Due to its strategic location, it has great potential for those who want to set up a business without the hassle of the downtown area. Residential units are meant to be spacious, with choice units on the upper floors which offer great views of the city and beyond. Each tower will be unique in its use of different colors in varying hues, giving each tower a distinctive character. Back to Projects
MERIDIAN BY AVENIR
Meridian by Avenir Cebu City, Cebu Owner:King Properties Location:Cebu City, Philippines Building Type: SOHO Condominium Site Area: 1,394 sq.m. Total Floor Area: 24,408 sq.m. No. of Storeys: 22 floors Status:Completed A Business Residential Condominium Meridian is a high-rise small-office-home-office (SOHO) condominium development specifically tailored for business and lifestyle needs. While the building exterior, with its glass curtain wall façade, sports a corporate look, the interior provides the welcoming ambience of home. Spaces were designed and arranged to offer green vistas through floor-to-ceiling glass walls as well as provide a cozy atmosphere for its occupants. A variety of units are provided, allowing flexibility in planning and design. Despite its small building footprint, the development incorporates luxury condominium amenities as a lap pool and a gym. Back to Projects
MAHI
Mahi Mactan Island, Cebu Client:AppleOne Visland Properties Inc. Location:Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines Building Type: Mixed-use Site Area: 7,556 sq.m. Total Floor Area: 53,202.50 sq.m. No. of Storeys: 10 floors Status:On-going Construction Beautiful Integration Mahi is a mixed-use complex located within the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) consisting of retail areas, a supermarket and a mall within its podium and separate towers for BPOs and a 180-room business hotel to be operated by Marriott International, Inc. It is located along the main road in Lapu-Lapu City and near many commercial establishments as well as the City hall. One of its distinguishing features is a high atrium in the form of an ellipse, which marks the entrance to the mall, wrapped in a skin of perforated metal which gently tapers downward. Sinuous bands of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) will wrap around the towers on every floor, harmonizing the look of the whole complex. Back to Projects
ANDA WHITE BEACH RESORT
Anda White Anda, Bohol Island Owner:Anda Whitebeach Estate Location:Anda, Bohol, Philippines Building Type: Resort Hotel Site Area: 2,945 sq.m. Total Floor Area: 4,500 sq.m. No. of Storeys: 2 floors Status:On-going Construction A Paradise Hotel This planned resort hotel is the first phase of what will be a resort complex consisting of hotel rooms, villas, function rooms and conference hall, swimming pools and water features. Designed with an “Asian Modern” theme, the hotel will have 52 well-appointed rooms, a swimming pool, poolside bar and viewing deck overlooking Anda’s white beaches. There are private units which feature plunge pools and ground floor units which feature Jacuzzis. Aside from the poolside bar, there is a rooftop bar accessible from the pool areas as well as from the hotel rooms. Using materials such as asphalt shingles, wood, and stone, visually linked by three lattice-covered stairways. Back to Projects