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 […]
Aurelia Residences Integrates Art and Architecture into Luxury Living in BGC
In the business district of Bonifacio Global City rises a residential development designed around low-density living. Aurelia Residences brings together 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, interiors, landscape, and art to create an elegant and culturally-resonant living environment.
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Architecture, Interiors, and Landscape Design
Arrival plays a central role in the residential experience, unfolding through compression and release rather than overt gestures. The project’s architectural vision by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, (SOM) establishes a composed architectural presence through proportion and clarity of form.
The landscape, designed by PLA, buffers and softens the movement away from the city. Upon entering, the lobby opens up to a vertically expansive interior by FM Architettura. Residents are welcomed by sculptural chandeliers that set a tone of understated grandeur carried throughout the property’s shared spaces.
A central feature of the area is the large-scale weaving installation by Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco created in partnership with S.C. Vizcarra. The artists’ largest installation to date, the grand staircase reinterprets traditional weaving techniques through a contemporary architectural scale.
Indoor amenity spaces continue the project’s material language through muted finishes, balanced proportions, and integrated furnishings. This considered approach to design extends into the property’s wellness and recreational spaces, where every detail reinforces elegance across the residential experience.
Outdoor lounges, gardens, and recreational areas are integrated into the overall architectural and landscape framework, allowing transitions between interior and exterior spaces to unfold gradually throughout the property.
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Curated Art Collection and Featured Artists
Art plays a defining role in shaping the project’s identity, not as decoration, but as part of the everyday spatial experience. Curated by Miguel Rosales of Caramel, Inc., the broader collection of over 50 artworks seamlessly integrates art into the residential environment. Among the more prominent pieces are two large-scale metal works entitled Islas by Bea and Marga Valdes of Valdes Designs.
The striking installations, depicting abstract forms inspired by indigenous cultures and historical references, anchor the grand atrium lobby. At the reception area, two minimalist pieces by Gus Albor offer a contemplative counterpoint to the larger sculptural works. At the amenity level, Lenore RS Lim’s prints translate intricate techniques into layered and intricate compositions.
Across each lobby wing, French artist Francis Dravigny draws inspiration from his decades-long connection to the Philippines. His pieces are informed by the textures and material traditions of the Philippine archipelago, incorporating abaca, shells, and copper into layered compositions that evoke memory and landscape.
Through its synthesis of world-class design and thoughtfully curated art, Aurelia Residences succeeds in expressing a distinct vision of refined living.
Related Reading: Every Room a Chapter: Grace Reyes Designs an Art-Filled Residence
About Aurelia Residences
Aurelia Residences comprises a limited collection of 285 residential units designed around low-density living, spacious layouts, and privacy within Bonifacio Global City. Completed in September 2025, the project joins Haraya Residences as part of the Shang Robinsons Properties, Inc. (SRPI) portfolio, a joint venture between Shang Properties, Inc. and Robinsons Land Corporation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurelia Residences is located in Bonifacio Global City. Its architecture is by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), interiors by FM Architettura, and landscape design by PLA—a combination intended to integrate global design expertise with the surrounding BGC urban context.
The art collection at Aurelia Residences was curated by Miguel Rosales of Caramel, Inc., whose past projects include Shangri-La The Fort, Manila. The curated collection comprises over 50 artworks distributed across the property’s shared and amenity spaces.
“Islas” refers to two large-scale metal sculptures by Bea and Marga Valdes of Valdes Designs, installed at the grand atrium lobby. The works draw on indigenous Philippine cultures and historical influences, expressed through abstract metal forms.
The grand staircase was designed collaboratively by Gabby Lichauco and Rita Nazareno, produced in partnership with century-old weaving craftsmanship house S.C. Vizcarra. It is described as the artists’ largest weaving installation, reinterpreting traditional materials in a contemporary form.
Indoor amenity spaces feature furnishings from Flexform, Meridiani, Cantori, Porada, Molteni, and Poliform, with Technogym equipment in the gym. Outdoor areas use Tribù and Cane-line lounges with Tuuci umbrellas, plus Barazza barbecue systems and Archipelago furnishings.
“Thailand has claimed urban creativity and livability. Singapore has institutional design leadership. Indonesia is emerging as a design hub. Vietnam is moving into design innovation. And the Philippines? Its position is not weak. It is simply unclaimed.” For IDr. Cecil Ravelas, National President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), the challenge is not […]
The Ramon Magsaysay Center as a Modernist Landmark Driving down Roxas boulevard from Rizal Park, what will catch your eye is the most elegant modernist structure in the country, the Ramon Magsaysay Center. Most established Filipino architects put it in their top ten lists of favorite buildings. It was designed by Alfredo J. Luz, who […]
Rinna Soriano’s favorite part of her work is sanding. At her workbench, she stays focused, following the grain, adjusting to changes in its direction. Narra, she has learned, can have interlocking grain. A piece of mango once proved particularly difficult until a worker explained that she had reached the point where a branch once grew […]
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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