Resting on a cliffside lot in Quezon City is Casa Elena, a house built with love, intention, and decades of design expertise. It was envisioned to be the architect and his wife’s retirement home, which became a heartfelt tribute after the latter passed away mid-construction after a brave battle with cancer.
The architect considered selling the house after it was finished, but his daughter reminded him that it was her mother, Elena, who had inspired its creation—and that she would have loved to see it completed.
The architect’s late wife was instrumental in conceptualizing many of the home’s features such as the kitchen and the walk-in closet. Her presence remains, not only in the home’s name, but in every detail lovingly chosen and curated by the architect and his daughter.
The design of the home embodies the architect’s core design principles: harmony with nature, resort-style relaxation, and a deep understanding of those who live within the space. The house is bathed in natural light and benefits from the steady breezes that flow freely owing to its cliffside location. Sustainable features also abound, which align with the architect’s firm’s design philosophy of building healthy homes: skylights for natural light, floor-to-ceiling glass walls to frame the view, vent stacks for heat circulation, and generous water features that help cool the property.
“We wanted to build houses na whoever will be staying there will enjoy nature,” the architect says not just about Casa Elena but also about the residential projects his firm undertakes. “You don’t have to go to Tagaytay, to Baguio, to enjoy this kind of view or ambiance.”
The home’s material palette evokes understated elegance: natural wood ceilings and floors, travertine stone walls, glass, and premium Italian fixtures. No synthetic substitutes were used—just honesty in texture and tone.
The main door opens to a sizable, open space that houses the living and dining areas. On the far left side of the house is a smaller lounge area, separated from the rest of the space with a clad wall. Meanwhile, on the opposite end is the kitchen.
Artworks collected through the years adorn the walls—not necessarily from famous names, but pieces that resonated deeply with the couple.
“My wife loves art, and ako rin. Every time we have a project na matatapos namin, we reward ourselves with buying an art piece,” the homeowner shares. One such piece is a wood sculpture of a fish—bought before the house was built—which now serves as a conversation piece in the outdoor living area.
The architect calls Casa Elena his magnum opus, the eighth house he has built for his family and likely his last. Now that he is 60, he sees himself spending more time at home, as the house is fully equipped for retirement and enjoyment.
Aside from the parties the family has held at Casa Elena, friends, relatives, fellow bonsai enthusiasts, and church groups frequently gather, making the house a hub of connection and faith. And in all of it, the architect remains grounded. He speaks often of divine intervention, hard work, and humble beginnings—from selling fish door-to-door in his twenties to earning trust and building a successful architectural practice. “Nothing happens by luck. Nothing happens by coincidence,” he says. “It’s by God’s grace.”
Read the full story by grabbing your copy of BluPrint Homes, available at the sarisari.shopping, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Photographed by Ed Simon
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