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 […]
Tauhai Villa: Tranquil and Green
Tauhai Villa, the home of landscape artist and painter Ponce Veridiano, sits at the foot of Mt. Banahaw by a stream in his hometown of Nagcarlan, Laguna. This small town is where Veridiano spent his formative years before briefly working for Meralco as an electrical engineer and then finding his calling designing landscapes and gardens for the most affluent families in the country.
His work as a landscape artist would lead him to work with the country’s best architects—Leandro Locsin, Ed Ledesma, and Conrad Onglao to name a few. This exposure sharpened his instincts and would shape this home he lives in today. Named after the Hiligaynon word tauhai—which means tranquil or relaxed—the home is imbued with inviting stillness. Meticulously made and decorated with natural materials, the Tauhai Villa took 10 years to build.
Although the home faces a main road, much of the noise gets filtered out by the home’s thick walls of stone. Its facade is unassuming and features a large pivot door of bamboo which opens up to a wide entryway. The view of trees from across the stream are framed by the tunnel-like corridor. A stone stairway on the immediate left leads to the lower chambers and common areas such as the living room, dining area, and kitchen. It also reveals a glimpse of the suspended entrance to the master suite.
Read the full story of Tauhai Villa 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 Jar Concengco.
Read more: Optimistic Architecture: BluPrint Volume 1 2025
Read more: Optimistic Architecture: BluPrint Volume 1 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
The name is derived from the Hiligaynon word tauhai, which translates to “tranquil” or “relaxed.” This name perfectly encapsulates the home’s primary design objective: to create a space imbued with an inviting stillness. Every aspect of the villa, from its location at the foot of Mt. Banahaw to its meticulously chosen natural materials, is intended to foster a sense of peace and quiet for its owner.
Tauhai Villa is the personal home and studio of Ponce Veridiano, a renowned landscape artist and painter. Before pursuing his calling in landscape design, Veridiano worked as an electrical engineer. His professional journey involved collaborations with legendary Filipino architects like Leandro Locsin and Ed Ledesma, experiences that sharpened his architectural instincts and heavily influenced the decade-long construction of this private sanctuary.
Despite its location along a main road, the villa remains a quiet retreat thanks to its thick stone walls that effectively filter out external noise. The facade is intentionally unassuming, featuring a large bamboo pivot door that serves as a transition point from the public street to the private, verdant interior. This design choice ensures that the “tranquil” atmosphere is preserved from the moment one enters the property.
The villa features a wide entryway and a tunnel-like corridor that strategically frames views of the trees across the nearby stream. To the left of the entrance, a stone stairway leads down to the common areas, including the living room, dining area, and kitchen. This layout creates a sense of discovery, offering glimpses of the suspended entrance to the master suite while guiding guests toward the heart of the home.
A comprehensive feature on Tauhai Villa is published in BluPrint Volume 1 2025. This issue provides the full story of the home’s construction, its interior details, and Veridiano’s artistic philosophy. The magazine is available for purchase through various online platforms, including SariSari Shopping, Shopee, and Lazada, for those interested in a deeper look at this landscape artist’s retreat.
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Filipino 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 has long been associated with indigenous materials and vernacular design strategies, from bamboo and timber construction to jalousie windows, generous spaces, […]
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