An evening with Yabu Pushelberg

The Peninsula Manila’s Conservatory was transformed into George and Glenn’s own studio, showcasing their freehand sketches, materials, and design perspectives from their projects all over the world. It is in this space where George and Glenn mingled with the guests, inviting them to step into their creative space, wine in hand, in a way that is familiar and comforting. The spotlight was, of course, on the scale model of the future Park Villas, a luxurious residential project poised to become one of the most desirable addresses in the heart of Makati. 

Deeper into the evening, the event's engaging host, Issa Litton, invited Mariana Zobel de Ayala and Vincenzo Tagle to formally open the event. Both Zobel de Ayala and Tagle spoke about the strength of collaboration between Ayala and the Tagle group and the privilege of working with the design powerhouse of Yabu Pushelberg. 

“We’re like twins. We have a dynamic relationship,” George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg talked about their design philosophy and the foundation of their company. “We have strengths, but we also cover for each other,” the pair with their infectious energy enthusiastically shared how design is the collective result of both their sensibilities, and for Park Villas in particular, their collaboration with ALP. 

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ALP partnered with the design firm to handle the interiors of Park Villas and Pushelberg spoke fondly about their experience designing for the brand. “There’s a synergy of working together,” he laughed, “It’s a relationship that has become very friend-based—almost family-based. There’s a rapport, a back and forth.” Litton also revealed that the pair had been involved with Park Villas as early as the plans were being drawn up. This close working relationship has ensured that each villa at Park Villas communicates the Yabu Pushelberg design aesthetic and the qualities that ALP is known for. 

In a separate interview, Yabu and Pushelberg did a deep dive into the design ethos for Park Villas speaking about how they are drawing inspiration from Filipino culture and craftmanship seamlessly integrating it into their brand of style and emotional modernism. 

They described the latter as “...contemporary, but not minimal. It has an emotional appeal to it.” 

“It has that kind of inner beauty to it. When people think of modernism, they think of somewhat austere environments, like museums,” Yabu added.

The designers promise a very distinct, Filipino feel to Park Villas itself by populating its interiors with familiar works inspired by the locale. “We’re just starting to get into the actual localism in terms of craft and that space—and there’s a lot of beautiful [things] coming out of this country.” There are about four to five years of development left until Park Villas is fully realised, and at this stage, the esteemed firm is still busy locating art and artefacts for the interiors. They’re careful and considerate in their research to make sure that the pieces they select bring the residence to life.

In envisioning the kind of Filipino home they wanted to create, the design firm looked to the deeply enrooted culture of familial closeness the country is known for.  The large, principal areas of a unit in Park Villas are more open and flowing. “It’s very hospitable, very social,” Yabu explained. “It has that broad, open feel. Half the floor plate is wide open, so activities are sort of connected, but apart in a way that they don’t fear each other. The bedroom zones are much more quiet and broken up into a sequence of spaces.”

With their wealth of experience creating luxury homes and hotels around the world, these decorated designers are more than well-equipped to recreate such splendour here. “We design them as a kind of glorious home,” Pushelberg stated. “We’re exploring textures and patterns to give that kind of richness to it in a very distilled way.” Their other works include the Aman Tower in Tokyo and the Pan Pacific in London, both of which are reflective of the firm’s multicultural background and experience.

In the same vein as their other masterpieces, Park Villas is set to become one of the most prestigious and luxurious addresses in the country, but it still retains that signature Filipino trait of togetherness and community. “There are still open plan kitchens, as places to share, places to meet” he added. Even the living room was scaled in such a way that there’s a formal living room for guests, but there is also a more casual living area for the family to rest and relax.

Every inch of Park Villas is thoughtfully designed and truly inspired—and its interiors are sure to exceed your imagination and set a new standard for luxury living. To the future residents, Yabu and Pushelberg had this to say: 

“With the building, developer, and location…what we’re doing with the interior, we’ll create a gem for Manila, and [we] believe that you will enjoy your new home.”

For a first look at Park Villas, visit ayalalandpremier.com and keep a close eye on their Instagram @‌ayalalandpremierofficial.

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