Home tour: a striking contemporary duplex designed by architect Conrad Onglao

Designing a 600sqm duplex in a premium building came with logistical challenges—from immovable air-conditioning units and strict building rules to restricted work hours to avoid disturbing neighbours. “At the end, you will forget these challenges, and be just happy that you were able to make it happen,” Onglao reflects. The outcome is a warm, inviting haven, with each floor offering a generous 300sqm of space. Clean, white Vasari walls and warm engineered wood flooring from Germany provide a neutral canvas for the family’s vibrant daily life.

This upper floor serves as the public and entertainment wing of the house, successfully separating social zones from private retreat areas on the lower floor. It flows effortlessly into communal sitting spaces anchored by an elegant grand piano. Nearby, a pocket space houses a home theatre, where an inviting Cloud sofa by Restoration Hardware lures the family to sink in and relax. “On weekends, our favourite place is the movie room, where we cuddle up with popcorn and watch a movie together,” the owner shares warmly. This part of the home is wrapped with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that frame a priceless view of the nearby golf course. 

On the opposite side of the upper level lies the true social hub of the residence: the dining area, the kitchen, a bar and a home office. “A lot of our time is spent around the dining area and bar,” notes the owner. “Our coffee machine is there, so the day usually begins in that part of the apartment–having coffee, catching up on the news and eating breakfast with the children before they leave for school.”

The design deliberately avoids feeling too formal or restricted.  “When we have friends over, we usually begin in the living area, where everyone can sit down, have a drink and catch up while dinner is being prepared,” the owner says. “We didn’t want entertaining to feel too formal or confined to one particular room.”

This natural flow creates a beautifully intoxicating environment. “Friends sometimes tell us that once they step inside, they forget they are in the middle of Manila,” the owner notes. “We love that the apartment gives them that sense of escape, but even more, that they feel comfortable enough to settle in and stay.” Onglao echoes this sentiment, noting that the welcoming vibe is a true marker of success for any architect or interior designer. “I was teasing them, I’m almost sure you guys don’t want even to leave your house,” he laughs. “I suppose sometimes that’s the true test if you did your job well–that they are drawn to stay more and spend more time at home.” 

What gives the home its distinct character is the masterful integration of art and global design. The owner, the grandson of a famous artist and the son of a passionate patron of the arts and education, possesses a sharply honed eye for culture. “Growing up in a family that appreciated art and design had a major influence on me,” the owner says. “I was always rearranging things around the house and thinking about how a room could look or function better. I also learnt to appreciate attention to detail and the way objects collected over time can bring a home to life.” While his mother has a great love for antiques, he and his wife gravitate toward contemporary pieces, creating a thoroughly modern yet elegant space. “We didn’t consciously set out to be different; we simply wanted the apartment to reflect how we live now, to feel elegant, but also comfortable, relaxed and practical for a family with three young children,” he explains.

Among the contemporary furnishings, precious family heirlooms are displayed with immense pride. The dining area is home to a complete set of marble Buddhist monk statues, which were a generous gift from his mother’s collection. “It is unusual to see a full set together, and people often ask us about them,” the owner explains. “They bring a sense of continuity and family history to the apartment, which makes them especially meaningful to us.”

The couple also strongly champions Filipino craftsmanship, proudly displaying works by renowned local artists Junyee and Rock Drilon. “We both grew up in the Philippines, so it was important for us to have Filipino art in our home,” the owner states, adding that the pieces feel very much at home in the apartment. Onglao praises the owner’s curatorial instincts. The architect also observes that Filipino design no longer needs to rely on literal architectural tropes; instead, it can be expressed simply by championing local artists, exactly as this apartment does.

What surprises many visitors is how a home filled with such beautifully curated art and light-coloured furniture can withstand the boundless energy of three children. The owner is firm that the house is not a museum. “Family and friends are often surprised that three young children live in a home like this, but nothing is off-limits; the apartment is very much lived in,” he asserts. 

See also: 7 outstanding furniture pieces on display at Manila FAME 2026

To transition from the public areas to the private quarters, one descends a staircase crafted from narra wood. This lower floor is designed around the family’s personal routines. “The primary bedroom can be opened up completely during the day, allowing the spaces to flow into one another,” the owner describes. The three children each have their own bedrooms on this level. The lower floor also features a dedicated study area where the children happily spend their afternoons. 

Unlike a freestanding house, implementing large-scale green infrastructure within a condominium is limited. “For us, sustainability is really about the small choices we make every day,” the owner shares. They use filtered water in reusable glass bottles to avoid microplastics, diligently separate their waste, and maximise the apartment’s abundant natural light to save energy. Onglao complemented these habits by incorporating energy-saving LED lights on dimmers–which lets the family control the intensity of lights to use–and water-efficient bathroom fixtures in the home. 

In the end, the true success of this highly collaborative renovation is found in its daily, unscripted use. On that exact moment when the house finally felt like a home, the owner’s answer is poetic in its simplicity. “It wasn’t necessarily when the last piece of furniture arrived, or the final artwork was hung,” he reflects. “It was when we began to see the children naturally finding their own favourite spots, running through the apartment and using every part of it without hesitation. Once our routines started to take shape...That was when we realised it had truly become our home.”

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