An exciting new development rising in the heart of Bridgetown Estate in Pasig promises to bring to life a new understanding of the modern home. Haraya Residences, Shang Robinsons Properties, Inc.’s (SRPI) latest project, is an inspired and thoughtfully planned vertical village that pushes boundaries and challenges the traditional way of how buildings are designed.
At the recent unveiling of its impressive showrooms in Bridgetown, this vision vibrantly comes alive. Jose Juan Jugo, executive vice president of Shang Properties, Inc., expresses pride in the project: “Haraya in Filipino means ‘imagination.’ Similarly, we felt the need to imagine new possibilities for our homeowners, bring innovation, and develop inventive spatial configurations that provide comfort, freedom, and inspiration.”
A joint endeavor between Shang Properties, Inc. and Robinsons Land Corporation, Haraya Residences marks the second collaboration between the two real-estate giants. Jugo continues, “After the success of our first project, Aurelia Residences in Bonifacio Global City, we found a good opportunity to once again work together. Our grand vision for this landmark project is the shared value of both groups, to improve the way people live through the projects we build.”
Haraya Residences also marks the second time working with architect and design collaborators: P&T Architects and Engineers Ltd. led by its design director Edgar Cozzio, and FM Architettura helmed by its founder and CEO Francesca Muzio.
Jugo elaborates, “We wanted a global perspective. Both groups have stellar reputations and landmark works all over the world. But what is great about our design collaborators is how deeply they really studied the Filipino market and our way of living. They observed and listened so passionately. They immersed themselves in our culture. And they incorporated these facets into the design. Along with our architect on record, Casas + Architects, Inc., the resulting design approach brings the best of global and local perspectives together beautifully.”
The Filipino culture and sense of openness have led Haraya Residences’ designers to become more exploratory and imaginative, leading to the country’s first vertical gated village in Bridgetowne, featuring a collection of 558 beautifully appointed residences in the South Tower, with more forthcoming in the North Tower.
The Philippine STAR asked Cozzio to describe the design approach. “Here in the Philippines, you can let your imagination take flight,” the architect replied. “There’s size and space. Filipinos are very open and accepting. In that way, residential (design) has become very rewarding for me as an architect because it involves much thinking about how people live. I think the Philippines has developed dramatically. The country is really embracing cosmopolitan living. When I first came here for Aurelia Residences, BGC was just a field! Now it’s a huge metropolitan area.”
With 26 years of international architectural experience, Cozzio brings his distinct passion for strong and unique design narratives. “As an architect, you start with the site. Every site has inherent properties that will lead you to see what it can give. This site was able to give us a very good combination: First, a site for an iconic building that will be the focal point — the creation of a destination for people to live. Second, it also gave us the possibility to build a beautiful podium where you can combine outside with the inside.”
He continued describing the design approach that showcases open living as it’s never been experienced before: “From a design point of view, when you look at the plan, the buildings are smooth, round, but not geometrically defined as circles. It’s a feeling of almost bubbling (homeowners) up in a community. What this non-geometric design allowed us to do is build balconies that integrate totally with the internal layout. Balconies are usually an afterthought. But in this case, we tried to do something different. The wall-to-wall sliding doors give you the impression that the living room extends out. You can have a whole set outside, like a sitting room. You can live outside as much as inside.”
Cozzio highlighted that with Haraya Residences, it is possible to settle in the city, and bring nature into the home. “We gravitate more to cities. So we need to find answers on how to compact ourselves without losing that connection (to nature), and that’s our challenge as designers, to hopefully provide the answers.”
Muzio, on the other hand, enumerated her three key inspirations for the design of Haraya Residences. First, the layout was influenced by the new Filipino way of living and the love for the outdoors. Second, Haraya Residences’ amenities were designed to enhance the value of building communities. Third, the design was influenced by Filipino craftsmanship, which can be seen interpreted in the color and details of the design.
“When you enter the lobby of Haraya, you have a sense of place,” she says. “Public spaces are not only areas you can rent or use, but really an extension of your home. We designed a new concept of amenities to let residents enjoy and cultivate passions and establish a community. That was our design vision, that we will build communities and that we will provide the perfect venue for people to share culture, green, hearts, and positive vibes.”
Muzio also stressed that the idea of a traditional layout is evolving. “We’re very fortunate that the developers of Haraya are very bold and brave because what we proposed was very different. They supported the creative vision. We designed a pixelated layout to give more space flexibility and fluidity. How we use spaces in the home nowadays is changing. Spaces need versatility.”
She continues, “We also realized how nature is important. In Italy, we have the loggia, an extension of your inside apartment. We integrated this concept in Haraya, the very powerful idea that you get to ‘step outside into the heart of your home,’ which is the essence of Haraya.”
Muzio intentionally spent a substantial amount of time traveling the Philippines to discover cultural hallmarks that could be woven back into her design. She has visited countless historic sites, artists’ galleries, and has cultivated relations with various local artisans. She smiles, “The Filipinos are very sophisticated, very knowledgeable of international design standards. At the same time, there is something so beautifully unique about the Filipino aesthetic. We wanted that character to be reflected in Haraya.”
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For more information, visit www.harayaresidences.com, call 0917 5-HARAYA (427292), or follow @harayaresidences on Instagram and @harayaresidencesofficial on Facebook.