Residential

PK House: A Home That Floats Over the Hill

August 1, 2024
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By 
Albert Aycardo

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 

PK House: A Home That Floats Over the Hill by 8x8 Design.
The home transitions from public to more private spaces as you ascend. The eaves double as wraparound balconies, offering panoramic views on each level.

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.

A harmonious use of glass, wood, metal, and concrete.

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 sculptural metal spiral staircases present dramatic transitions between floors.

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  

PK House’s silong, with a long table that seats 16 made from a single piece of wood. Due to its open design, the furniture arrangements define individual spaces for activity.

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. 

An aerial view of PK House: A Home That Floats Over the Hill by 8x8 Design.

Read more about PK House by ordering your copy of BluPrint Volume 1, available via the sarisari.shopping websiteShopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download via ReadlyPress Reader, and Magzter.

Photographed by Ed Simon.

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