Cover Mastering the illusion of space, Manny Miñana created a home that provides everything its owners need, even making it look bigger than it really is
Mastering the illusion of space, Manny Miñana created a home that provides everything its owners need, even making it look bigger than it really is
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Empty nesters are now embracing their old life without children yet, enjoying a second dream home that perfectly reflects their new life stage and priorities
Two years ago, the owners of our featured house bid goodbye to the last of their three children who left for the US. Now, living in their spacious, empty nest located in a secure, gated suburban community just south of the bustling city, the retired couple found themselves yearning for a change. Despite leading active lives post-retirement, the desire for a cosier, more modern dwelling intensified with each passing day.
The empty nesters started planning on their second dream home, not too far away from their old community to be still close to their extensive circle of friends. After selling the house they’ve lived in for 15 years and renting one a corner away, they began their search for an ideal location for their second home.
Very much aware of their new status, the couple was clear about how they wanted their new house to look. “Well, we wanted it open and light,” she said. He added, “I just wanted something fresh, that was not limited as a themed house could be. So this is more updated, classic.” She followed up with, “Yes, we also wanted something that would be hard to pin down to any era.” He elaborated, “But we also didn’t want an ultra-modern house like the ones you see nowadays. We want our house to be appreciated today as well as tomorrow.”
See also: A tour inside a seaside home in southwest Manila designed by Budji Layug
Above At the entrance, the promise of green space is immediately established
At the entrance, the promise of green space is immediately established
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They also agreed about who to tap to design their dream house No 2. “I’ve known Manny [Miñana] forever. And I’ve always liked his style,” he said. Miñana’s preference for space also appealed to the lady of the house who has gotten a bit tired of the preponderance of wooden walls in her conservative Filipino-themed house.
Almost the same time they had sold their big house, she discovered a new development near their old subdivision. “Right now, there are just about eight families in this village, but there are about five ongoing constructions,” he said. She added, “What’s nice about this village is that all the utility cables are underground.”
Less than 500 square metres for a lot is a challenge for many architects. Some even ask their clients to buy an adjacent property if it is vacant and in the market. But Miñana welcomed the challenge and three years later, he ceded over the house of their dreams to our couple, addressing their yearning for a change. “It’s not scary when you’re alone,” candidly remarked the man of the house.
“My challenge was how to make the perception of size never come to mind,” Miñana shared. The architect used “vegetation, trees and gardens in the perimeter” to achieve this goal. He also opened all three sides of the entertainment level using sliding doors. “So you can connect with nature,” said Miñana, an advocate of the biophilia concept, with a hint of pride in his voice.
Above A small sanctuary features a unique centre table, made of metal exposed to the elements to rust
Above The front door was designed by the man of the house
A small sanctuary features a unique centre table, made of metal exposed to the elements to rust
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There were hardly any trees on the property when the architect visited a few months ago. So, he had the perimeter garden hedged in Maki Podocarpus, which has grown high enough to shield the living room from outside view. “Initially, I thought I would keep the hedges trimmed but now, after allowing it to grow naturally, I find that they give a softer feel which I am keeping,” commented Miñana.
He also had narra trees planted in each front corner and a coral tree on the northeast side of the garden. “I am waiting for the coral tree to grow higher,” Miñana shared. “What will effectively happen is it will bend into a canopy when it grows taller.” As nature’s canopy fully envelops the house, Miñana added, these three sliding glass panels will look and feel green from the inside. “The intention is not to just have trees but canopies,” he said.
Above The kitchen pantry’s sliding door panels are finished in solid and veneer Mahogany, while the central kitchen counter is finished in Italian engineered stone
The kitchen pantry’s sliding door panels are finished in solid and veneer Mahogany, while the central kitchen counter is finished in Italian engineered stone
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Because the western side gets the afternoon sun, the grown foliage will shield the house from the heat. “We eschewed awnings. The canopy will serve that purpose. Plus, the blinds already shield the inside of the house from the sun,” Miñana explained.
Then he recapitulated. “But basically, the idea was to give a feeling of being cocooned. You will never think that this is just a 400+sqm lot. There’s a sense of space and abundance. The gardens contribute to a sense of abundance.”
He continued, “You see, with nature, there’s so much to look forward to. Eventually, when the garden becomes even more robust, it’ll be more about your natural than your physical environment.” Finally, spoken like a true biophiliac, he declared, “I derive a lot of satisfaction from this.”
Read more: Home tour: A tranquil weekend getaway in Batangas, Philippines
Above In the living room, symmetrical sofas frame a circular lacquered pen shell coffee table, designed by the man of the house
In the living room, symmetrical sofas frame a circular lacquered pen shell coffee table, designed by the man of the house
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The needs of his clients were top of mind for Miñana when he designed the house.
“What I think is lovely, for me, and quite fulfilling, is understanding our clients in their new stage in life; it’s just the two of them, and you very well want to be true to that calling. You are called to support them and see how they can maximise their well-being in this space.”
The design has three levels. The lowest level is the basement for the service areas: the staff room, laundry and a two-car garage. On the next level which is the ground floor are the living and dining areas and the lady of the house’s workout studio. The upper floor contains three bedrooms, plus the family room.
“The house belies the size of the lot; it feels bigger,” Miñana said.
Since much furniture will not fit in this space, the choices must be carefully selected. Each piece must have a purpose and a relevance to the owners. Choosing was difficult; the couple had quite an accumulation of beautiful heirloom pieces from their former big house. In addition, the creations of the man of the house, formerly in insurance and finance picked up the hobby of furniture making in 2017.
Above He also designed this glass-topped dining table and benches all in solid Mahogany for eight only since, he intends to entertain for not more than eight
Above The stairway features floating glass banisters and a solid Mahogany wooden handrail
He also designed this glass-topped dining table and benches all in solid Mahogany for eight only since, he intends to entertain for not more than eight
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He works in varied mediums. There are two aluminium cast helmets, one for polo and the other for cycling, representing the two sports the man of the house is passionate about. “I have a friend who has a foundry. I made the mould and he cast it for me,” he shared. He has low tables made out of steel. He said he started with this medium when he repurposed the manhole covers left behind by construction workers. Then, the centre table is made of pen shells (Pinnidae), which are always conversation pieces. “The last pieces I made are two stands for the floor lamps from Murano, Italy,” he shared.
These creations share the space with antiques (such as the armoire gifted to the man of the house by his mother) and artwork (tripod by Gabby Barredo, side chair by Benjie Reyes, paintings by Tony Leaño, Sandra Fabie, even a local artist from Perth, Australia). Sometimes he picks something that holds much meaning, such as the Pilates metal sculpture by an unknown artist, to give to his aficionado wife.
Above One of a pair of Muranese jars repurposed by the homeowner into a floor lamp
One of a pair of Muranese jars repurposed by the homeowner into a floor lamp
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As of this writing, our couple would have lived in their new home for a year. The lady of the house said that their first one did not reflect their present needs anymore and wasn’t as relevant to them as this new home. Miñana has truly captured their essence. “They’re straightforward. You want to get to the heart of things when you’re older. You want a comfortable home; you don’t want to strain yourself for anything, especially maintenance issues,” the architect explained.
Once he asked his client if she was happier in her new house. Her answer was a quick “yes”. That, to Miñana, was a validation of success in designing his clients’ second dream home.
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Credits
Images: Courtesy of the architect Manny Miñana
A journalist of more than 30 years, Chit has had varied exposures in this field, both in hard news as well as in soft news, and brings everything she has learnt to the production of the magazine. When not writing or editing, Chit is deeply involved in her chosen service organisation, Rotary International.
