The ALT Collective is set to present its most ambitious edition yet when ALT ART returns to Manila this February. Moving to the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay, the fourth iteration of this contemporary art showcase represents a significant leap in scale and ambition for the Philippine art scene. […]
Playa Laiya: Modern Tropical Living Inspired by Systems of Nature
From atmospheric layers to forest canopies, the designers for Barchan + Architecture looked at systems of nature for inspiration in designing the Playa Laiya Clubhouse. “Whether it’s the sky, the sea, the mountains, the insects, the forests, and so on, there would be an almost inexplicable sense of balance,” shares Jason Buensalido, Barchan’s Chief Design Ambassador.
Situated in San Juan, Batangas, the Clubhouse is the crown jewel of a private beach enclave. Purposefully positioned at the endpoint of the main grand avenue, it serves as a landmark destination and portal between nature and people. From there, one can enjoy the uninterrupted view of the horizon and bask in the seaside.
The Concept of Maaliwalas
The designers began with the spatial and atmospheric quality of the space rather than starting from the materials. “If the space is bright, if the space is windy, cross-ventilated, then it contributes to the overall feeling of maaliwalas. If the space is connected to the outdoors, visually and physically, it contributes to maaliwas. So, that’s where we started,” Buensalido details.
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Rather than constructing a single large structure, the Clubhouse was designed as a collection of separate structures of various heights and sizes. The overlapping discs provide the structure with multiple layers of enclosures, giving form to nature’s hierarchy and balance. Aside from orienting the structure to frame the landscape, it also mirrors the elements as paramount architectural features.
This quality is further expressed in the transom windows placed in between the overlapping discs, providing natural light and ventilation to penetrate both grand and intimate spaces. Here, the elements of nature in collaboration with the constructed layered system are central to the feeling of maaliwalas.
Dusk ‘Til Dawn
The Clubhouse is an adaptive entity. Much like nature itself, the spatial experience shifts throughout the day. In the morning, it is a tranquil, sun-drenched haven where sunlight filters through the layered rooflines as the panoramic views of the sea command attention.
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As dusk settles, the clubhouse undergoes a dramatic inversion. The roof forms, once silhouetted against the sun, absorb the deep blue of the twilight sky. The same transom gaps that drew in daylight now radiate a warm, internal glow, transforming the structure into a luminous beacon on the coastline. Below, the developer’s signature pool lights stud the water’s surface, creating a terrestrial constellation against the dark sea.
Ultimately, the Playa Laiya Clubhouse is more than a collection of amenities; it is a compelling thesis on contemporary Filipino architecture. By translating the hierarchies of nature into a porous, layered system, Barchan + Architecture crafted a setting for a distinctly coastal Filipino lifestyle. It is a place where modern design sensibilities and a timeless connection to the sea find a harmonious, maaliwalas form.
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Photographed by Jar Concengco and Bayani Dela Pasion
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