Text by Maan Pamaraan D’Asis and Jose Paolo S. Dela Cruz
Photos by Mark Chester Ang
For those who know what they’re looking for, the search for the perfect home can either lead to an exclusive ‘enclave’ of open spaces, a garden in the skies or towering abodes in the heart of the city. And in Filigree, you’ll find their keys.
It has been said that life is about enjoying the finer things. And by luxury, we don’t just mean diamonds, designer bags and signature clothes. For in a life where majestic living spaces are becoming rarer by the moment, space — especially when paired with comfort and accessibility — proves to be the ultimate luxury.
Needless to say, urban living has its set of challenges, and in reality, homeowners who want to enjoy the convenience of living in the city sometimes settle for confined living spaces that fulfill utilitarian functions at the expense of space.
Price versus proximity, size versus location — there’s always a choice demanding to be made as to what to prioritize and what to live without when it comes to picking the right home. This leaves much to be wanted in terms of being able to enjoy life at its fullest, especially for those who need to bond with their families after a day of hard work.
Aside from the need for spacious living quarters, buyers also look for amenities and activities in the community that encourage fun and relaxation. What’s more, those who seek the finer things in life also often look for design details that reflect their tastes.
This is where a touch of ‘Filigree’ makes all the difference.
To art and design connoisseurs, the word filigree connects with paying attention to fine details, which, when viewed as a totality, connotes the highest levels of craftsmanship and quality. This is the vision behind the Filigree brand, a luxury Filipino real estate company that offers masterfully crafted, upscale living spaces for those who wish to enjoy city living in an urban setting, while savoring the rewards of living in a luxurious space that they can call “home.”
As such, Filigree seals every project with real value. The company brings in the best design teams, who in turn, come up with ideas for homes of the highest quality — the kind its residents deserve. Filigree also believes that life is not just about making the right choices. Rather, it’s about making the finest choices. Filigree clients, after all, are self-made individuals who value the fruits of their hard-earned money as they favor quality and workmanship.
To date, Filigree is behind four signature developments that can only be considered as the ideal, modern Filipino dwelling: The Enclave Alabang, Botanika Nature Residences, Bristol at Parkway Place and The Beaufort at BGC. All four offer the prestigious advantages of living in prime locations where spaces are generously sized, building and unit features are carefully thought-out, and amenities are befitting of a modern upscale lifestyle.
The Enclave Alabang: A daily respite
Sometimes, open spaces and lush, verdant surroundings are relegated to weekend homes and beach houses; no more than indulgent footnotes to an otherwise busy week. In this exclusive village, however, one need not wait for the weekend to enjoy the perks of living in open spaces.
The Enclave Alabang offers the choice to live in a modern, peaceful neighborhood. As its namesake suggests, it is a quiet respite from the stressful city living, offering the beauty of living in a private neighborhood with all the trimmings of an upscale community. However, this respite is one you can access nightly, when you call it a day and start calling it a life.
The exclusive 13-hectare residential subdivision, located along the progressive Daang Hari, embodies the charm of southern living, with a master-planned intimate community that offers amenities perfect for growing families with wide open spaces and a clubhouse that will offer opportunities for fun and relaxing bonding moments.
Lots within The Enclave Alabang come with spacious cuts, giving homeowners more liberty in building and designing their dream homes, so long as they follow the tropical modern theme that the community favors. The minimalist yet modern structures are most apparent in the glass, wood and steel architectural interludes that are the Club House and the Limited Edition Designer Homes. These showcase the hallmark designs of H1 Architecture. Meanwhile, BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design is responsible for the interiors of The Enclave Alabang’s model homes.
Following H1 Architecture’s goals of making houses that seamlessly integrate the outdoors with what’s inside, these tropical modern designs are “outside looking in.” Solid, traditional walls give way to the creative use of glass and wood, thus giving the homeowner a feel of illuminated space in their very own enclave.
Botanika Nature Residences: The Future is green
Nature and nurture come together at Botanika Nature Residences in Filinvest City, Alabang as the property highlights green living within the city, flavored with the undeniable appeal of the metro south. In this development, you can feel the interplay between nature and modern living, with a lush, landscaped garden in full view of the generously cut units of the condominium property.
Registered under the Philippine Green Building Council’s BERDE program, this highly anticipated project designed by Leandro V. Locsin Partners can be described as a vertical village, as one gets the feel of privacy and seclusion while enjoying a sense of community with other residents at the shared amenities such as terrace pools, a playroom and a game lounge. The welcoming lobby and the rest of the interiors in this low-density property were crafted by the Miaja Design Group Pte Ltd., and it reflects the Botanika Nature Residence’s architectural philosophy of bringing the beauty of the outdoors into exquisite living spaces.
At the heart of the towers is a sun-roofed atrium that allows generous rays of sunlight to illuminate story after story of real estate beauty within. Sunlight lands on the lush foliage at the heart of the atrium and other open spaces — rarities in the world of condominium developments in the Philippines.
What’s more, the buildings of the Botanika Nature Residences follow the ground’s natural terrain, resulting in a more organic and breathtaking structure. The glistening pools — shaped like leaves — mirror the elevated terraces resulting from this architectural decision, which also ensures that no two units are directly facing each other.
The same attention to detail can be observed inside the model units, designed by French-Spanish interior designer Isabelle Miaja. The touches of green, rich textures and sudden pops of color evoke an uncanny resemblance to nature’s flora and fauna.
Aside from fine living, Botanika offers residents who are already members exclusive access to The Palms Country Club, which is the south’s answer to active living and leisure. And so the Hanging Gardens of Babylon find themselves reincarnated in this beautiful mid-rise property in the city.
Bristol at Parkway Place & The Beaufort at BGC: City of aspirations
For those who’d like to embrace the modern times, Filigree also offers high-rise living in two of the metro’s most coveted locations.
Upscale living in Alabang is the core of the Bristol at Parkway Place, which is located at what is now known as the South’s Millionnaire’s Row. The condominium property offers the convenience of city living, especially since it’s located within the garden city and business district of Filinvest City.
Inspired by the great, urban tales of cosmopolitan cities like Manhattan, Bristol boasts of accessibility to a myriad of choices of dining, shopping and other entertainment pursuits. The 40-storey structure is designed by architectural firm CASAS +Architects, with interiors kitted by Hirsch Bedner Associates. It is one of the tallest and most iconic buildings in the district, a befitting altitude for a prestigious address that gives access to a life of ease, as everything is all within comfortable reach — be it shops, leisure, rest or relaxation.
Meanwhile, the Bonifacio Global City continues to be recognized as a bustling business center. And here, right at the heart of the BGC Complex, you’ll find a mix-use high-end, ready for occupancy property, The Beaufort at BGC.
As you enter the well-appointed lobby, you are greeted with an interlude of hardwood, marble floors and metals. But that is nothing compared to the beauty that is its private living spaces.
First off, they are roomier than most high-rise offerings within its category, ranging from 50 to 57 sq.m. for a one-bedroom unit to 155 sq.m. for three-bedroom units. They are ready for occupancy and offer the right amount of privacy for anyone who wishes to live within the city. With only four units per floor, the property, executed by R. Villarosa Architects under the guidance of global consultant group Arquitectonica, embodies quiet elegance. There is no crowding here, no lack of space.
Secondly, it is a development that offers space and symmetry, with a vista of the metro skyline and a view of the greenery from the Manila Golf and Country Club, thus embodying a balance in the horizon.
