Home tour: an expansive family home balancing peace and prosperity in Cavite, Philippines

For Buensalido, it was essential to maintain the balance between peace and prosperity in this Bacoor, Cavite home. “Peace without prosperity is isolation; prosperity without peace is excess,” he mused. Such rigorous discipline manifests at every level of the house’s design, from the innovative facade to the ventilating windows, from the local materials to the organic carvings on the threshold. 

The Cavite home stands on 800 square metres, elevated above the street level by nearly two metres. Instead of reducing the lot’s height, they embraced its unique characteristics. The half-basement was carved into the podium, housing all service areas such as the carport and staff quarters. That ensured the two floors above belonged entirely to the family, creating a sense of sophistication amid the elevation. 

Privacy was a key element in the creation of the Halcyon House, with solid facades and screened windows that create a true fortress in the city. The staircase at the corner positions guests’ silhouettes behind timber slats, animating the façade while maintaining a deep sense of tranquillity. 

In case you missed it: 7 office layouts from around the world to inspire a workplace design refresh

As the property stands, it has both the blessing and challenge of two frontages. The main entrance faces the private cul-de-sac, while the rear elevation has views of a more public avenue. With a distinctive blend of stone, timber and verdant plants, each entrance maintains cohesion and architectural grace. A notable feature of the front driveway is its ramp leading to the pool terrace, which allows guests and the elderly to arrive without negotiating the staircase.

Upon approaching the main door, its unconventional geometry immediately stands out. The foyer first opens into an antechamber, anchored by sculptural pieces and glimpses of the nearby garden. Stepping deeper into the home, one’s eye is drawn upward to the triple-height living room at the heart of the Cavite property. 

Three sides open through full-height sliding glass panels that lead to the lanai, pool and atrium with its oculus. Amid the Philippines’ interminable tropical heat, cross-ventilation is present throughout the home. When the panels slide backwards, the boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors are dissolved, allowing natural light and cool breezes to permeate any gathering.  

Warmth and material honesty characterise the Halcyon home, with rich timber engulfing the ceiling and tiles underfoot that mimic the linear texture of stone. The nearby walls are rendered in lime-based plaster with a matte, deep finish, while structural columns are left exposed. “Just like crafts where the process is as important as the product, architecture functions similarly. We want you to see how the building is being held up,” shared Buensalido.  

The Bacoor, Cavite home’s open floor plan includes a dining room buffered by a sky garden suspended above the car garage. The kitchen is easily accessible from both the dining and living areas, ensuring that the preparation of delicious meals can be done without missing a conversational beat. Nearby, a separate structure houses the home office, ensuring that the homeowners can maintain total concentration on their work without interruption from the other rooms. 

Moving onto the second floor, the staircase opens up to a family hall and lounge overlooking the living room below. Two bedroom wings extend from either side of the hall, with the child’s bedroom featuring Barchan’s signature blend of aesthetics and functionality. With its own lounge space and sleeping loft, the space is designed to grow with the family over time. 

The primary bedroom suite also reflects a considered design story, with a lounge and entertainment space preceding the room’s more enclosed areas. The room also features a study loft accessible through an internal staircase, while a set of sliding screens opens onto a private terrace to unwind in after a long day. 

On the third and final floor, a roof deck stands open to the sky, with glazing that offers uninterrupted views of the living room below. 

Altogether, the Halcyon House came together with effortless coherence. Each element has its place in creating a purposeful, serene environment for a family to celebrate their milestones and bask in the mundane moments. To cross the threshold into this space is to understand, almost immediately, that the rest of the world has been left behind. Everything within the Cavite home fills each guest with a sense of peaceful prosperity that will carry them through until their return to the space.

NOW READ

Home tour: a light-filled residence in Ontario, Canada reimagined with sculptural architectural interventions

Built to arrive: the Prix Versailles Most Beautiful Airports 2026 list

Home tour: a renovated artist’s sanctuary in the exclusive coastal town of Manalapan, Florida