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 […]
Inside Out House: A Compact Modernist Home In Bulacan
The Inside Out House strongly merges both indoor and outdoor spaces with a design language that forms a conversation between these areas. Designed by JCCA Design Studio, the home finds a way to craft an enjoyable outdoor experience in line with their client’s request; privacy, security, and noise reduction. It does so through a modernist design that stands out in Bulacan’s urban landscape.
A Fluid Facade
The facade tastefully brings together modernist design motifs and makes it responsive to the environment accordingly. A refined palette of black, white, and wooden browns accent an intricate attention to detail. Material choices of industrial and natural motifs add dimensionality to its character. The crisp lines formed around monolithic shapes showcases the building’s craftsmanship. On the other hand, smooth and textured surfaces stack against each to form a brilliant contrast.
The building’s rectangular profile divides into two distinct treatments on each level. The ground entrance is secluded through a vast array of horizontal lines formed by the gates. The second level of the facade is an arrangement of wooden brise-soleil that covers large glass panels. The spacing of each louver blade gradually decreases, transitioning from void to solid. This double-wall facade serves as a sun-shading shell that reduces heat gain. Furthermore, these slits still allow air and light to enter.
The design responds accordingly to the building’s context, whether it be the public road outfront or the proximity of other houses. The brise-soleil makes having large openings feasible by creating privacy. Tall-fencing and the lack of openings along its right side further reinforce this, supporting the tranquility and functionality of the indoor spaces.
Bringing Outdoor Spaces Inside
“The project site is located on a public street and is surrounded on all three sides by residential structures. The owner’s primary concerns are security, privacy, and noise reduction, but with access to outdoor space and ventilation.”
A central open-air courtyard stands proudly within the home’s interior. This ingenious layout makes it the nucleus of the dwelling, orchestrating a gracious flow between living spaces and fostering a profound connection with nature. Furthermore, it allows additional windows to be placed, especially in the second floor, as it creates additional edges along the building’s footprint. The result is a landscape feature that helps light and cool the inside spaces.
This open space makes a footprint along the flow of interior areas. It separates the dining room and kitchen from the living room. It does it in a manner that forms a hallway that aligns with the staircase, creating a distinct visual direction. The family room and bedrooms upstairs interlink in the same fashion as their windows all overlook the central courtyard.
Hidden in plain sight, a veranda area sits along the facade made discreet by the expansive sun shading louversLouversAngled horizontal or vertical slats of wood, metal, or glass fitted over openings or façades. They allow air and filtered light to pass through while blocking direct sun, rain, andGo to Louvers Glossary. A wooden ceiling, complemented by skylights, fully covers the area. The uncovered opening on the left side provides a feeling of openness from within. Along the floor’s edges, stone fillings replicate landscaping design features.
Making Interiors Feel Exterior
A clever approach to interior and exterior design translates the concept of the Inside Out House. Its design language and features from each of these distinct parts of building planning tastefully interchange with one another.
One will find an expansive arrangement of openings and glass that makes the external ever present. The central courtyard adds a layer of depth and separation between living spaces. Skylights are placed throughout numerous areas. The use of glass balustrades all-throughout increases transparency and highlights the visibility of these standout elements. This allows light and the visibility of these fenestrations to further permeate the interior.
Opening the outdoors in a manner oriented towards more favorable conditions supports natural cooling and lighting. The smart application of shading, window ornamentation, and the development of the site meets the client’s requirements for their home’s design.
Designing the Right Conditions
The Inside Out House showcases how architecture can masterfully orchestrate a residential experience fitting for its clients. It cohesively packages numerous architectural elements through its arrangement of materials and forms that responds to its context. By integrating the outdoors inside, it truly makes the home seem larger and livelier.
Photographed by Randolf Evan Photography.
Read more: A Shortlist of Our Favorite Asian Homes in 2023
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