Cover Joyce Wang, who is collaborating with Ayala Land Premier’s Laurean Residences, photographed at her London Studio (Photo: commissioned by The Crosses)
Joyce Wang, who is collaborating with Ayala Land Premier’s Laurean Residences, photographed at her London Studio (Photo: commissioned by The Crosses)
1 / 1
Tatler+
Ayala Land Premier
Ayala Land Premier partners with Joyce Wang for Laurean Residences
The very fibre of any address is the harmonious relationship between its architecture, design and the lifestyle it enables. It is this balance that makes any location stand out, where one doesn't just live, but thrive. Laurean Residences by Ayala Land Premier partners with Joyce Wang, who is lending her expertise to usher in a new kind of luxury to Makati.
See more: Joyce Wang
“My relationship with design really started from when I was a kid,” Wang says. “My father travelled for work quite a bit, and he would often bring my mom and I along. I was exposed to a lot of different environments and cultures from a young age.” These enriching experiences fostered her love and passion for interior design. But it was during a visit to the HSBC headquarters in Hong Kong to open a bank account that sealed it. “I remember going with [my mother], holding her hand, and as we arrived at the top, it opened up to this incredible atrium,” she recalls. The view left a lasting, enduring impression on her, and it is a feeling that she still carries to this day.
Long Bar at Raffles Macau designed by Joyce Wang Studio (Photo: Edmon Leong)
1 / 3
Today, her eponymous firm, headquartered in Hong Kong and London, has worked on discerning homes, hotels and restaurants around the globe. Her partnership with Ayala Land Premier for Laurean Residences is a first for her in Manila, and the easy, collaborative nature between them has made her work smoother. “The process with how we work with Ayala Land is very true to the way we met: it's an open dialogue,” Wang enthuses. “It's quite a direct and immediate conversation.”
“I learned that not only were they very open minded, they were very generous, they were great listeners as to what I thought I could bring to the table, and they were very receptive to some of the new ideas,” she adds.
Interconnectedness is at the very core of Makati. Dela Rosa Gardens, the lifestyle district wherein Laurean Residences will rise, is seamlessly connected through a series of underground passages and the elevated walkways, linking future residents to key destinations, from art galleries to shopping malls. Mere minutes away stand the Greenbelt and Glorietta malls, home to some of the world’s most celebrated brands and restaurants.
It boasts over half a hectare of amenities managed by Ayala Land Hospitality, including pools, function halls and retail spaces. The Sky Garden, located towards the top floor, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, while higher still lie the spa, yoga room, gym, wine lounge and more. The discerning who value both quiet retreats and easy access to the urban cityscape will find themselves right at home.
In case you missed it: Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala on her life and new role as Ayala Land Hospitality’s new creative director
Speaking through design
Artist's rendering of Laurean Residences, which will usher in a new dawn of luxury to Makati (Photo: courtesy of Ayala Land Premier)
1 / 3
“There are three protagonists that we identified from the onset of this project,” Wang explains. “There’s this famous quote by one of the Ayala founders, [Joseph McMicking], where he compares development to chess. It doesn’t mean anything to move singularly. It has to move meaningfully as a whole.” She thus borrowed the language of chess—both the boxy nature of a chessboard and the strategic elements—and wove it into the fabric of Laurean Residences.
Wang also leaned into the rich history of Ayala Triangle itself. “It used to be an airfield,” she remarks. “We took the idea of aviation and what that means today, in the way that materiality is used in aircraft, for example, and taking those as inspiration points.”
Thirdly, she was deeply drawn to the unique fashion culture of the Philippines. “We’re bringing in seamstresses and fashion designers local to Manila,” Wang enthuses. “The silhouettes that they create and tying that to our design—we want that to be at the forefront.” She brought in three different designers from different generations and observed the distinct style and personality of their work. “In one particular instance, the pleating style was very interesting, and we wanted to bring that accordion style into some of the accessories.”
Above Artist's rendering of the pool lanai at Laurean Residences (Photo: courtesy of Joyce Wang Studios)
Artist's rendering of the pool lanai at Laurean Residences (Photo: courtesy of Joyce Wang Studios)
1 / 1
Above Artist's rendering of the private dining room, an apt setting for unforgettable memories from dusk to dawn (Photo: courtesy of Joyce Wang Studios)
Artist's rendering of the private dining room, an apt setting for unforgettable memories from dusk to dawn (Photo: courtesy of Joyce Wang Studios)
1 / 1
Wang wants to make an impact from the very moment someone walks into Laurean Residences—beginning with the lobby itself. “It was important for it to be welcoming, warm. But also a sense of intimacy,” she explains. “We’ve added a layer of fluidity. We’ve curved in corners to create that fluid form. We’ve also done it in the reflected ceiling plan, so there are these additional softened arches that kind of swoop in that alludes to this idea of aviation.”
In terms of colour, Wang has chosen a palette that feels warm and familiar to go along with local sensibilities and touches of refinement. “If we’re thinking about the walls, ceiling and the floor, there’s a bit more of a neutral backdrop to it,” she explains. “However, when it comes to pieces like the furnishings, the decorative lighting, even the kind of throw pillows and the curtains, we’ve injected a bit more personality in those touch points.” These colours—hues of green, passionate ruby and garnet—evoke images of the outdoors, further cementing the connection between the indoors and out.
Above Artist's rendering of Laurean Residences. Experience contemporary living with bi-level penthouse units (Photo: courtesy of Joyce Wang Studios)
Artist's rendering of Laurean Residences. Experience contemporary living with bi-level penthouse units (Photo: courtesy of Joyce Wang Studios)
1 / 1
Sustainability remains a strong factor in influencing and informing Wang’s design philosophies. “Investing in the quality of material from day one is very important to know that it will stand the test of time,” she explains. “But it is also infusing the local flair, through recognisable textures such as rattan, shells and roping material.”
Ayala Land Premier’s partnership with Wang will ensure a perfect balance between luxury, local culture and heritage for the Laurean Residences. She has beautifully translated her love of design and affection for materials into its very being. Every decision she makes, from choosing what colour goes where to what sort of material should be used, is influenced by the very moment she embarked on the path she is on today.
“The design of Laurean Residences really reflects the trend of not only design, but what residents and consumers expect,” Wang shares. “They're really living in a place where they're the best version of themselves. We're designing these spaces to enable somebody to live the way that they want.”
Visit ayalalandpremier.com to learn more about Laurean Residences.
About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
