The way life goes, we all need a place to escape. The world is loud, noisy, and challenging for those who desire peace. So it’s important to craft our own space to find quiet and solitude in an increasingly disruptive world. Architecture of Silence, the newest book from BluPrint, chronicles the journey of four private havens from across the country. These architects draw from their experience to fulfill the need for safety and solitude, creating the quiet they seek within these great escapes.
As our editor-in-chief Geewel Fuster puts it, “Mindful silence and understated architecture come to play with design, cohesiveness, utilitarianism, tranquility, and a humbling sense of serene, creating a fusion of home and genuine peace.” Here’s a preview of some of the projects featured in our new book.
Bunker House
Jon Alfonso, a seasoned DJ with 9,000 vinyl records, wanted a safe place to store his vast collection. And with the help of VIA Design Partners, he was able to create this sanctuary for himself.
Bunker House, built in Cebu City, is already battle-tested, having survived the onslaught of typhoon Odette in 2021. And it’s been fortified even further; a space inspired by military bunkers to safely house Alfonso and his treasured records.
“The primary aim was to create a space that [encapsulates] the essence of the client’s initial concept of an underground bunker while marrying it with the aesthetic and functional requirements for a vinyl storage and entertainment area,” Architect Kei Plaza said about the project.
Unna
No man is an island. And sometimes you need to revamp the island itself to create a paradise for man to exist in. Vianca Soleil Roquero intended Unna “to be shaped by the seaside landscape,” crafting her home’s aesthetic from the tranquil island life.
Roquero adhered to design principles of simplicity so the home would coalesce with its natural surroundings. That included only using resources from Romblon and building smaller huts for specific rooms in lieu of a giant sprawling estate. Unna currently has three huts: the living, kitchen, and bedroom. Roquero is now building a fourth: the library.
She views Unna as an opportunity to apply and adapt her architectural knowledge to this specific project. It’s a paring down on various levels, both in materiality and conceptually. “This way, without external influence, everything becomes personal and new,” she shares.
House Y
Who doesn’t love a beachfront property? Many dream of a relaxing retreat that connects them to the ocean and sea, offering a slice of idyllic bliss. However, the continued onslaught of climate change demands a shift in how we craft our personal paradises. This is precisely what San Studio Architecture achieved with House Y.
The structure stands as a fortress of comfort, a great escape utilizing concrete in a way that feels warm and inviting despite its formidable size. It’s designed with both homeliness and privacy in mind, incorporating wooden screens that provide varying degrees of privacy and protection from future storms. Here, one can find either isolation or tranquility, away from the city’s chaos.
The homeowners remark, “It truly is a space that offers a brief respite and a much-needed getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.”
COI PH
Atop the serene mountains of Calaca, Batangas, COI PH, a Japanese-inspired spa, offers a tranquil retreat amidst lush greenery. Accessed via a secluded one-lane back road, the spa welcomes visitors with its quiet, minimalist design that unfolds step by step.
The spa reflects the vision of its owners, Ken and Rita, who sought to create a sanctuary harmonizing with the stunning landscapes of Mt. Batulao and Balayan’s coast. Embracing a modern take on Japanese aesthetics, the design emphasizes monochromatic tones, minimalism, promoting simplicity and fluidity. Here, the beauty of nature blends with the indoor setting, making every moment part of its unique allure.
Explore These Great Escapes in “Architecture of Silence“
We all have our own preferences in enjoying solitude. The spaces we create reflect our aspirations, how we choose to spend time alone, and how we seek comfort and relaxation. From a fortress-like bunker to a tranquil beachfront retreat, everyone deserves a great escape place where they can truly be themselves.
Now available online via the SariSari Shopping website, Shopee, Lazada, SariSari pop-up stores in Estancia Mall, Eastwood Mall, Festival Mall, and major National Bookstores. Architecture of Silence invites readers to explore architectural tranquility. It promises a lasting impression for all who explore its pages.
Read more: BluPrint Launches New Book, “Architecture of Silence” at Yuchengco Museum
