Living close to nature

As globalization and the information age make more and more demands from individuals, the option of living in the country is bound to likewise increase in attraction.

According to Manuel J. Colayco, LPHI president, the trend towards living closer to nature is already quite evident in San Rafael Estates, a joint venture between Ayala Land subsidiary LPHI and Greenfield Development Corp. The 18.4-hectare subdivision at the foot of scenic Mt. Makiling has become a haven for city dwellers seeking relief from urban life on weekends as well as executives and entrepreneurs with businesses in Calamba, Laguna, and Sto. Tomas, Batangas, who have made San Rafael the premiere address of the area.

The latter make the most of the opportunities presented by San Rafael’s location near the Calamba exit of the South Luzon Expressway and at the crossroads between the booming provinces of Laguna and Batangas as illustrated in the LPHI website, www,lphi.com. In fact, a number of multinationals like Mariwasa, Yakult and Yazaki-Torres are already operating in the area.

For the benefit of San Rafael lot owners and other property buyers seeking the comforts of living close to nature, LPHI availed of the services of architect and interior designer Isabel Berenguer-Asuncion. Trained in Hong Kong, Berenguer-Asuncion has designed a number of homes in scenic locations including Pattaya, Thailand; Tagaytay Highlands; as well as LPHI’s Sta. Monica Estates in Lipa, Batangas.

Below she shares valuable insights gained from her long experience in building country homes.

• First, nature views are a country home’s primary asset. To maximize the pleasant surroundings, make use of large windows, glass, outdoor features like a powder room that opens up to the sky or an outdoor jacuzzi. Especially when the property is by a mountain, Berenguer-Asuncion is very partial to surrounding the main living and dining areas with balconies or lanais for a very practical reason.

• Second, an open plan works best. A plan where the main living areas are continuous and not divided into enclosed rooms allows for more interaction. Aside from being close to nature, Berenguer-Asuncion observes that people build country homes also because they want to foster closer relations among family members.

• Third, choose a design that is in context. Keep in mind the golden rule about country homes: Let the views take centerstage. For this reason, homes with clean lines don’t distract the viewer from the landscape. To discover the look that works best for a certain location, take your cue from the dominant architectural style.

• Fourth, used natural materials. In a place like San Rafael where nature reigns, natural materials like stone and wood present themselves as the best choice. Nevertheless, the use of natural materials need to be balanced by maintenance considerations. Particularly when a home will be used only on weekends, it should be designed so it can be sealed off during the rainy season and not trap heat during the summer.