Creating a relaxing environment for the people around us is always a daunting task. In a volatile world that pushes for constant movement, a true place to unwind and relax feels utterly inaccessible. And yet, the Spirare Breathing House provides its homeowners with that: an outlet sensitively made to not just ease the mind, but to engage in one’s culture within the place.
Designed by architect Eloy “Earl” Bello VIII of Forenheit Studio, the Spirare is an architectural response to the pressures of modern professional life, offering a much-needed sanctuary for a family of three. Having already known them socially, Bello was largely given free reign at the design of the house.
“The homeowners had one key request: they wanted the house to feel like a hotel,” he said. “[This meant the house had to be] relaxing, pleasant, [and] it has to have a quiet sophistication. Beyond that, they gave us full creative freedom to interpret what that could mean for their lifestyle.”
The Spirare occupies a prime corner lot in a Quezon City suburb. For Bello, this strategic location, combined with the clients’ brief and the firm’s familiarity with the area, provided the ideal canvas to experiment with a new paradigm for domestic tranquility.
For the final choice of design, he went with a new interpretation of a neo-tropical house. It was one that really aspired towards blurring the built environment with the nature around it, with an emphasis on smooth lines and lightness. The house found ways to augment the warmth of its surroundings, providing a sedate ambiance that encouraged slow and intentional living.
“The inspiration was both contextual and conceptual,” he said. “It is rooted in the homeowners’ lifestyle, the climate, and the opportunity to contribute something fresh and uplifting to the character of the subdivision.”
During construction, the homeowners approached Bello to discuss incorporating art pieces to add another layer of relaxation. Although not part of the original budget, Bello worked to accommodate them by approaching space curator and art expert Glenn Cuevo for the project.
“[He] reached out to me to check my interest in the interior styling, art selection and curation of a residential project he recently completed,” Cuevo said.
“Fortunately, the design’s clean lines and generous wall surfaces naturally lent themselves to accommodating art, allowing the pieces to breathe and become focal points within the home,” Bello recalls.
Cuevo himself found the design of the Spirare to be impressive: “contemporary and well-balanced with clean lines.” The neotropical design prompted him to look for artwork with abstract figures and geometrical shapes, also focusing on an elegant, color palette to best complement the home’s composition.
From the warm, tropical exteriors to the curated, well-chosen artistry that hangs on their walls, the Spirare Breathing House is the epitome of a peaceful sanctuary. It fulfills the promise of what a house can be: providing reprieve from a nonstop, tempestuous cityscape and restoring them to their fullest selves.
This article has been abridged for digital publication. Read the full story behind Spirare Breathing House by ordering your copy of BluPrint Art at Sari Sari Shopping, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are also available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Dive into the captivating world of architecture, interiors, and arts & culture by getting exclusive digital access to BluPrint’s past and upcoming issues. Click here to find out more.
Photographed by Ed Simon
Situated in Laguna, south of Metro Manila, is a multi-thousand-hectare development created by Ayala Land Premier within the growth corridor of the CALABARZON Region. Barchan + Architecture was tasked with crafting a clubhouse for the subdivisions of Luscara and Soliento. Principal Architect of Barchan + Architecture, Jason Buensalido, explains the firm’s process in creating the […]
Over the past decades, adaptive reuse has been utilized as a sustainable alternative for the built environment. It involves repurposing existing buildings for a new use, allowing the past to remain while serving a modern purpose. Here, structures facing potential demolition or no longer serviceable are seen as sources of raw materials for new projects. […]
The local design landscape has a significant new player following the grand launch of the Boloni Philippines showroom in Makati City. The celebrated event marked the official entry of a leading global brand, renowned for its “total interior solution” approach, into the Philippine market through an exclusive partnership with RDS Global Allianz. Hosted by Mica […]
Last November 26, the local design community gathered at Open Space in Makati for an immersive spatial experience. The event, Harmonious Spaces, served as the definitive reintroduction of AP Aluminum and Glass in a powerful reframing of their products. Instead of presenting aluminum and glass as mere architectural components, the evening showcased them as essential, […]
The apartment unit, often constrained by space and convention, has evolved from a functional living box into a canvas for highly personalized architecture and interior design. The year’s most compelling luxury apartment designs demonstrate a shift away from transient trends, instead prioritizing intentional curation, deep comfort, and a seamless visual flow. From the art-infused gallery […]
In the coastal town of Dauin, known for its laid-back beach culture, one private residence stands out—not by competing with its surroundings, but by becoming a resort unto itself. Designed to make everyday life feel like a retreat, Villa Tropicana transforms the typical concept of a vacation home into a personal oasis. Gaston Lorenzo Pastrano, […]
