Organized biennially by the Design Center of the Philippines, the Good Design Award Philippines (GDA) champions a distinctly Filipino approach to design rooted in malasakit (caring). It posits that good design goes beyond balancing form, function, and innovation—it creates meaningful solutions that respond to society’s most pressing challenges. The awards also advances the United Nations […]
4 Beach House Designs from Around the Philippines
The Philippines is famous world-wide for its pristine beaches. As an archipelago, Filipinos enjoy an abundance of seaside environments. These places bring their own unique set of opportunities and challenges for architects and designers. Here are four beach house designs that explore how structures interpret these elements.
Casa Baroro
Casa Baroro champions slow living through its thoughtful design and integration with its coastal site. The design odes to the character of Tadao Ando’s architecture. The barn-inspired beach house design features an A-frame roof and a dark exterior finish that exude an understated elegance.
The interior layout prioritizes living spaces that flow effortlessly into one another. It promotes a sense of connection and ease of movement as large sliding glass doors blur the boundaries between inside and out. This further enhances natural ventilation while minimizing the need for artificial air conditioning.
The three-story guesthouse comes with private quarters, while balconies facing both the beach and the pool establish a relationship with the surrounding natural environment. The design reflects the power of slow architecture, wherein the well-being of its occupants is prioritized while remaining sensitive to its environmental context.
Windward House
The Windward House serves as a tranquil beach house design for a young couple seeking escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The 1,450-square meter property was designed by architectural and interior design firm Utwentysix. The designers blend raw materials like palacino wood and exposed concrete to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
The main living area doubles as a lanai with wooden slats defining boundaries while allowing light and air to enter. The angular roof design connects the main house to two separate casitas that offer additional accommodation for guests.
These guest structures heavily feature louvered windows that make a compatible fenestration in a beachside setting. A slew of amenities are added in to enjoy the outdoors. This includes an infinity pool and outdoor dining area. With the proximity to the beach, the property’s design makes it an ideal haven for the seaside lifestyle.
Sisid Anilao
Sisid Anilao, a boutique beach house designed by RU Design+Build, captivates with its curvilinear elegance and modernist approach to tropical architecture. Spanning over a 2,500 square meter lot with 39 meters of beach frontage, the resort features a holistic hospitality design. This includes a cantilevered porte-cochere, lobby, café & bar, indoor and al fresco dining, an infinity pool, and 10 suites.
The design gears towards creating a balance between seclusion and connection. It does this by a thoughtful arrangement of complementary volumes defined by the surrounding context. The use of modern materials like concrete and glass coincide with local materials and “solihiya” woven patterns reflect the richness of Filipino artistry and culture.
Open layout plans in communal spaces capture the expansive grounds. Meanwhile, full-height glass panels and patterned metal latticework allow for unobstructed views of the beachfront. An indoor garden adds freshness to the interior while also enhancing the tropical ambiance. The resort’s architecture successfully captures the essence of its namesake, “sisid,” paying homage to the beauty of marine life and the richness of Filipino maritime heritage.
Burt Little Home
Burt Little Home is a 38 square meter modern tiny house in Ili Norte, San Juan, La Union. The design embodies mindful living through its thoughtful small house design. Converted from an old water station by architects Lala Llanes and Troy Ventura, the space serves as a venue of healing and slow living.
The exterior features a wooden entrance surrounded by greenery. Meanwhile, the interiors abide by a minimalist aesthetic and clever use of space maximize functionality. The genkan-inspired foyer captures the elegance of simplicity. Other Japanese design principles are brought in whether it be in the built-in storage, dining table, kitchenette, bathroom, or the centrally-positioned double bed. An indoor garden with a skylight enhances the connection to nature with a Zen-like ambience.
The design retains the elements of the previous structure such as bleached and tinted plywood in lieu of Birch, and the preservation of the original façade windows. Through their choice of materials and preservation of original elements, the adaptive reuse of an old structure and humble construction goes to show that beach-side living does not necessarily need to come with a high price tag.
A Time Away
These beach house designs exemplify the deep connection that Filipinos have with our local environment. Whether it be in modernist extravagance or traditional simplicity, the designs capture the essence of what makes beach-side living so attractive. It offers solace and recreation away from the stresses of urban living in exchange for a deeper connection with nature.
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