The career trajectory of JJ Acuña reads like a global odyssey—one that stretches from a quiet Texas suburb to the skylines of Hong Kong and, most recently, Manila. Across each locale, he honed an approach he calls “spatial DNA”. It’s a bespoke methodology that weaves client aspirations, cultural context, and intuitive materiality into environments that […]
PK House: A Home That Floats Over the Hill
Designed by 8×8 Design Studio Co, PK House is a modern structure that fills its rectilinear form with a boldness in architectural styling. It takes advantage of the site’s vantage point overlooking Balayan Bay in Calatagan, Batangas. The integration of the natural environment, cultural influences, and a lavish blend of contemporary elements shapes this weekend home.
A Deconstruction of the Bahay Kubo
Project Kubo (PK) is an industrial-style take on Filipino vernacular architecture. The architects took inspiration from the motifs of the traditional house and added their own unique take. They implemented the architectural typology of its design to inspire the function of its spaces.
In terms of programming, the plan utilizes the concepts of silong and bulwagan. Silong is the space underneath nipa huts often relegated for housing livestock or additional storage. Bulwagan translates as the multipurpose main room that could adapt to different domestic activities throughout the day. It comes with a modularity that compliments the shift in actions so one can enjoy it in a variety of ways.
The exposed nature of the design blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior. Its openness fuses the view of the sea and the nearby landscape as if it were a “surface” along each wall plane.
A Stylish Rendition of Culture
In line with its use and purpose, the particular style and choice of furniture integrates the owner’s personal touch and lifestyle. It’s a tasteful display of incorporating characteristics of native tropical structures translated in a more modern approach. 8×8 Design Studio Co.’s hands-on approach and heavy collaboration with other professionals made this caliber of quality and protection possible.
Read more about PK House by ordering your copy of BluPrint Volume 1, available via the sarisari.shopping website, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download via Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Photographed by Ed Simon.
Read more: Son House: A Haven for Art
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