Partners in Love and Design: The Perfect Home This Power Couple Build for Themselves

Truly, love is in the air this Valentine’s Day. Being naturally romantic and loving people, Filipinos tend to celebrate Heart’s Day not only with their SO’s, or significant others, but at most times it’s with their immediate families as well. It has been two years, or two Valentine’s Day rather, that people are restricted due to the pandemic situation. But for this year 2022, everyone can feel the excitement of enjoying this occasion. Previously, BluPrint celebrates V-day through its series on Love Is In The Details. This has certainly given everyone a glimpse of how it is to keep and progress relationships amid the demands of the architecture and construction industry. In this feature, the focus is on the main question, “How do architects build their homes?”

BluPrint talks to architects Robert John Sac and Pauline De Leon-Sac of 50/53 Architects, on how their profession affected the way they build their homes.

BP: As architects, what is a good design for you? How did you come up with the style of your home?

Ar. John & Ar. Pauline: A good design isn’t something that just looks good. It must make sense as well. We currently live in John’s childhood home, so we tried to fill it with color and our personality. We also love mixing prints and textures and surrounding our daily life with art.

BP: In your early years of marriage, and as architects, what or how do you define your ideal home?

Ar. John & Ar. Pauline: We started with just a couch and a bed. That is to say, we slowly built from there. Our pieces used to be minimal, and it has definitely evolved through the years. Also, we painfully realized a white couch does not go well with toddlers. Haha! (Pauline laughs) 

Ar. John & Ar. Pauline: We’re currently planning our “ideal home”, and further, this might be the hardest one to plan yet. Having designed and built homes for other people there’s just so much we learned from them, and we are currently at that stage where we’re sorting what and what not to incorporate in our “ideal home”.

BP: In terms of doing your own home updates or improvements, who is the architect? Who follows who? Who has the last say? 

Ar. John & Ar. Pauline: Firstly, John takes lead with major improvements and Pauline takes care of the small details like home furnishings.

BP: How do you balance work as architects and personal issues? Do you bring home work-related issues?

Ar. John & Ar. Pauline: Since we’re in the same field and managing the same firm, there isn’t really a line between work and home. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t get slack. On weekends or after a day of working, we do relax and go watch our favorite series while eating our favorite snacks. Amid leisure, we still do talk about some projects, and we’re just used to this. We learned it’s better not to share projects, so we don’t butt heads. One will lead the project and the other will just support and vice versa.

BP: What spaces inside your home define your aesthetic as a couple?

Ar. John & Ar. Pauline: Definitely, it’s our dining area. It’s where we hang out most often and entertain guests. We change the seat covers, tablecloth, and table setting depending on the mood or tone of our party. 

BP: How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day as partners?

Ar. John & Ar. Pauline: We will probably just go for an early breakfast and prepare a simple dinner at home with the kids.

Photo Credits: John & Pauline Sac, 50/53 Architects