Green leisure living at Tagaytay Highlands

MANILA, Philippines - Tagaytay Highlands continues to move towards sustainable and green practices with an innovative new leisure condominium development at The Midlands — The Glass Terraces.

“Architecture is more than just buildings and structures. It is about creating balance and working in harmony with one’s surroundings,” says architect Albert Yu of Asya, the design firm behind The Glass Terraces. Yu is quick to explain how natural resources must work in tandem with a building’s design. “True architecture is ‘green’ architecture, which helps the environment by saving energy and resources.”

The Glass Terraces is a modern architectural condominium development that prides itself on taking full advantage of the area’s windy climate, ringside views of the Taal Lake and Volcano and easy access to the Tagaytay Midlands golf course.

Its five mid-rise buildings occupy only around 4,586 square meters within a 9.6-hectare property, giving residents much-needed space to breathe and relax.

As its name suggests, The Glass Terraces utilizes glass extensively — through large windows, doors and balcony railings — that guarantees unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape and the ever-changing hues of the stunning Tagaytay sunrise and sunset. Unit owners will enjoy privacy due to the development’s single-loaded corridor design, which, in turn, encourages the free flow of natural sunlight and wind into each of the 500 units, resulting in significant energy cost savings. Furthermore, the construction of rainwater collectors allows rain to be harvested, recycled, and used for irrigating the surrounding greenery. In this way, The Glass Terraces succeeds in minimizing the impact of residential development to the natural environment. These are all key elements in The Glass Terraces’ concept of cohesion with the environment and socio-economic design.

“The modern architecture of The Glass Terraces is emphasized with simple yet unconventional forms in neutral tones. This allows the buildings to blend in with the natural beauty of Tagaytay Highlands,” says Yu.

With 90 percent of the overall land area being open spaces with rich and diverse flora and fauna, the great outdoors are certainly going to be a major part of everyday life.

The community will also have access to a vast amenity area that features a swimming pool, pocket parks, picnic groves, walking and jogging paths, a children’s playground and a putting green. Each building will also feature its own private lobby with two elevators for greater convenience. The Glass Terraces allows one to truly enjoy nature at its finest while having access to ample facilities.

Ultimately, The Glass Terraces aims to bring its residents as one with nature to create a truly holistic lifestyle. With Tagaytay being just 80 minutes south of Metro Manila, The Glass Terraces “is where work, play, leisure, and nature come together,” says Manny Fernandez, project director. “It is certainly a choice for those who wish to extend their dynamic lifestyle.”

Residents are envisioned to make The Glass Terraces their convenient weekend getaway after a week of hard work, or even as a quick escape on a weekday.

“At The Glass Terraces, we aim to create the perfect fit—integrating the best facets of a seamless work and play lifestyle,” adds Fernandez.

Accessibility to The Glass Terraces is also addressed with the coming improvements in road infrastructure. Travel to Tagaytay will definitely be much easier with ongoing Skyway and Star Tollway developments. Potential residents can actually work in Metro Manila and be home at the end of the day with ease. Coming home to a truly natural retreat is a luxury that many hardworking Filipinos are sure to enjoy.

“Green architecture is about awareness, and going ‘green’ starts with the individual,” Yu explains.

With Tagaytay’s rich natural resources, adopting a “green” mentality and embracing green architecture is a step towards conserving such wealth that makes The Glass Terraces special.

For information about The Glass Terraces, call 833-7777 or visit the HPI sales office at the One E-Com Center, fourth floor, Sunset Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.