Culture in design does not always announce itself through a recognizable motif, material, or symbol. It can also be embedded in the relationships designers build, the knowledge they listen to, the materials they choose, and the decisions they make in response to communities and their environments. This distinction emerged throughout the 2026 International Design Conference […]
Ezra Viniti Resort: Embracing Nature
Tucked at the end of Pag-Ibig Street near Tagaytay Public Market, Ezra Viniti Resort gives you a quiet retreat, allowing you to escape from the noise of Metro Manila and even from the bustle of common Tagaytay destinations. But what’s even more remarkable is how Ezra Viniti Resort is designed around nature, with sustainability and respect for the environment in mind.
Blending In
Interior designer Carlo Mecate, who designed the cabins at Ezra Viniti Resort, shares, “When we first surveyed this lot, it was all pineapple fields and all plantations. So, what we did, we got the topography of the land. We marked where the trees are. The design actually revolves around the trees or where the trees are, so we don’t have to cut anything.”
The resort has four cabins, with floor areas that range from 109 square meters to 177 square meters, including the decking. “All the cabins are actually colored black so that they will just blend in with nature,” explains Eric Po, managing partner of Ezra Viniti Resort.
Each cabin is also surrounded by glass windows and sliding doors to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. The bathrooms in the cabins also have a pocket garden to further bring the outside in.
Butterfly roofing on each of the cabins also serves two purposes: to maximize natural light through two clerestory windows on opposite sides of the cabin, and to collect rainwater through a cistern. The water is then used for the plants.
Designed for Interaction
All cabins boast an open layout that make the spaces feel expansive. Only Vijaya—the biggest cabin at 177 square meters—has enclosed bedrooms. Meanwhile, the rest of the cabins—Prana, Shanti, and Ananda—have open sleeping areas with curtains you can draw for privacy.
“I think what I wanted is to promote togetherness for the group or for the family that is staying here in the cabins,” Mecate explains. With the open layout, the guests can enjoy meals, watch movies, or play board games and interact with one another without walls cutting their connection.
Staying at Ezra Viniti Resort offers more than just an opportunity to unwind and relax. Upon leaving this quiet sanctuary, guests take with them not only a rejuvenated body and mind but also lessons on sustainability, mindful design, and harmonizing innovation with nature preservation.
Read more about Ezra Viniti Resort by ordering your copy of BluPrint Volume 2, available via the sarisari.shopping website, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download via Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Photography by Ed Simon.
Read more: Iai: Raw Elegance by Studio Ong
Frequently Asked Questions
The resort was meticulously designed around the existing topography and vegetation, ensuring that no trees were cut during construction. To achieve a seamless “blend” with the landscape, all four cabins are painted black and feature extensive glass windows and sliding doors that dissolve the barrier between indoor and outdoor spaces. This approach respects the site’s history as a former pineapple plantation while providing guests with an immersive nature experience.
Each cabin is equipped with a functional “butterfly roof” designed to maximize environmental efficiency. This unique roofing style allows for dual clerestory windows that flood the interiors with natural light and acts as a collection system for rainwater. The harvested water is stored in a cistern and repurposed for the resort’s lush greenery, showcasing a commitment to resource conservation and mindful design.
With the exception of the largest cabin, Vijaya, the resort follows an open-plan layout for its units—Prana, Shanti, and Ananda. Interior designer Carlo Mecate purposefully avoided walls in the sleeping areas to promote “togetherness” and connection among families and groups. Guests can enjoy communal activities like dining or watching movies in an expansive, shared environment, with curtains available only when temporary privacy is needed.
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the resort incorporates nature into highly private areas through integrated pocket gardens within the bathrooms. This design choice ensures that the “sanctuary” feel is consistent throughout the entire stay, providing a tranquil and organic atmosphere even in the most functional parts of the cabin. These elements serve as a constant reminder of the resort’s core philosophy of harmonizing innovation with nature preservation.
Tucked away at the end of Pag-Ibig Street near the Tagaytay Public Market, the resort offers a rare level of seclusion from both the noise of Metro Manila and the typical bustle of Tagaytay’s commercial hubs. It serves as a quiet sanctuary designed specifically for those seeking an unhurried pace and a deep connection to the environment. This specific placement allows guests to enjoy the cooler climate of the highlands without the overcrowding associated with more common tourist spots.
The DBP Building as a Landmark of the International Style At the corner of Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and Makati Avenue stands a landmark of the Makati Central Business District. It is one of the last still standing that were built in the first wave of construction in district fifty years ago. The Development Bank […]
“Buildings only become architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary when they are shared,” said William Ti Jr., founder of the Anthology Festival and WTA Architecture and Design Studio, […]
A Filipino Interpretation of Modernist Architecture Unlike the rest of Makati today, the northern end of Paseo de Roxas in Makati is anchored by a low complex rather than a tall skyscraper. This is the elegant Asian Institute of Management, designed by architect Gabriel Formoso and completed in 1971. In my opinion, the building is […]
“Thailand has claimed urban creativity and livability. Singapore has institutional design leadership. Indonesia is emerging as a design hub. Vietnam is moving into design innovation. And the Philippines? Its position is not weak. It is simply unclaimed.” For IDr. Cecil Ravelas, National President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), the challenge is not […]
The Ramon Magsaysay Center as a Modernist Landmark Driving down Roxas boulevard from Rizal Park, what will catch your eye is the most elegant modernist structure in the country, the Ramon Magsaysay Center. Most established Filipino architects put it in their top ten lists of favorite buildings. It was designed by Alfredo J. Luz, who […]
Read the issues.
Collect the volumes.
Recommended Video
Tap to Unmute
Unmute
0:00
0:00