In 2015 at Singapore Design Week, designer Gabriel Lichauco inaugurated the NewFolk brand that worked to explicitly showcase the emerging talents of the Philippine art scene. Ten years later, with No Boundaries by NewFolk, Lichauco yet again features the upcoming crop of innovative designers seeking to change the product design world today. Shown at Space […]
Lee Residence: Elevated Perspectives by Ed Calma
Unlike many projects where clients have firm directives, the Lee Residence was a rare case where the homeowner entrusted architect Ed Calma, Design Principal of Lor Calma and Partners, with the entire design process. Given this level of free rein, the celebrated architect approached its design with his signature use of spatial efficiency, environmental sensitivity, and material restraint. “He was very open and left me to decide what was best for the house and their needs,” Calma recalls.
Set on a corner lot, this plush four-level residence (including the underground carport) is a study in quiet luxury. Rather than imposing a rigid structure, Calma crafted a dynamic interplay of volumes, light, and circulation. Every space unfolds with intention, balancing openness and privacy, grandeur with restraint.
The home’s façade functions beyond mere aesthetics by responding to environmental factors. It is designed to minimize heat gain by strategically shielding interior spaces from direct sunlight to mitigate Manila’s heat. This approach ensures energy efficiency and thermal comfort without compromising architectural integrity. “It’s an interplay of planar surfaces with volumes,” Calma explains.
A Light-Filled Core
Inside, the home exudes the design philosophy of quiet luxury. While some homes rely on statement materials to convey opulence, the Lee Residence takes an opposite approach. “[The] material palette is restrained to wood paneling and tile surfaces in walnut and grays with dark bronze and brass accents, all in a brushed finish,” Calma remarks. “We didn’t need an accent material because I wanted to focus on the kind of space that the two grand living areas make when they overlap. Architecture is all about space. Material is secondary on this project.”
At the heart of Lee Residence is the dramatic formal living room enclosed in glass, with a soaring double-height ceiling. The color palette is a sophisticated mix of earth tones, complemented by warm wood accents on the mezzanine level and staircase.
A Delicate Balance
The Lee Residence, conceived from a place of deep trust and realized with unwavering attention to detail, exemplifies Ed Calma’s architectural vision. Here, spaciousness, thoughtful material choices, and ecological awareness merge to create an environment that elevates everyday living.
Beyond a mere structure, this home becomes a profound experience, where the interplay of light, texture, and volume enhances the lives within. Ultimately, reflecting Calma’s own realization, “character is everything,” and this residence embodies that principle, mirroring both the architect’s creative spirit and the client’s confidence in a cohesive, lasting design.
Read the full story by grabbing your copy of BluPrint Volume 1 2025, available at sarisari.shopping, Shopee, and Lazada.
E-magazines are available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Photographed by Ed Simon.
Read more: Tauhai Villa: Tranquil and Green
“In the world of architecture, every structure is an invitation for a conversation.” This guiding principle is exquisitely captured in BluPrint’s highly anticipated new book, “Design Conversations,” slated for release this month. This special publication commemorates a quarter-century of BluPrint’s dedication to architectural excellence, insightful dialogue, and the profound appreciation of the built environment, offering […]
A vital part of the growing post-pandemic coffee culture in the Philippines are the inventive spaces where it is shaped and shared. Beyond merely offering distinct brews, cafes now serve as the new social and workspace hubs. This shift in the Filipino’s coffee lifestyle paved the way for visionary designers to bring a creative and […]
In the dialogue between space and inhabitant, the home transcends mere shelter to become a profound articulation of lifestyle, aspiration, and aesthetic sensibility. Recognizing this intimate nexus, Rustan’s Designers’ Circle 2025 emerges as a significant curatorial endeavor, this year fortified by a landmark partnership with the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID). This collaboration not […]
May 3 marked a milestone: the Philippine Pavilion welcomed its 100,000th visitor. That number’s not just a crowd—it’s a chorus of color, connection, care, and kilig that reveal how a space becomes an experience. You won’t find TV crews outside anymore. The dancers don’t flinch when tourists trail them with phones. And the duyan benches—those […]
Caro Wilson, the hand-crafted jewelry and accessories brand created by Filipino-American designer Mark Wilson, celebrates their seventh anniversary this year. Wilson marked the occasion with an exhibit at Leon Gallery that showcases some of the company’s newest offerings. Wilson draws inspiration from the indigenous cultures of the Cordillera and the craftsmanship of Baguio artisans. Guided […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]