Cover The living room of a Manila home that was restored by Lino Architecture
The living room of a Manila home that was restored by Lino Architecture
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Explore how the Lino Architecture team breathed new life into this Manila home, balancing a traditional structure with a modern, sleek palette
Renovating a home is a delicate process, as one has to retain some elements of the existing structure while adding a contemporary twist. When Don Lino surveyed this Manila home in late 2020, he was awed by the two-story house that retained elements of the 1980s. “I fought off the urge to demolish and start a new space,” shares the architect. “I began looking into the different features of the houses that gave it character, using them as a basis for a new design solution.”
Among the key features of the home were the patterns used in the doors, walls, and balustrades, as well as the unique layering in the roof skyline. For Lino, these details were not hindrances to a 21st-century home. Instead, they laid the foundation for a new chapter in the home’s history.
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The façade of the home, with sleek textures and a monochromatic palette that contrasts with the greenery
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The Manila home is situated on a corner lot, with one entrance leading to the front door and the other leading to the main garden. Previously, the home had a fence separating the two areas. However, the Lino Architecture team removed the fence, creating a space for the landscape to meet the main porch of the house. With the addition of a wooden louvre screen and brushed stainless steel, the design focused on bridging the home’s old and new architectural forms.
Above A glimpse of the warm wood rafters from the entryway of the home
A glimpse of the warm wood rafters from the entryway of the home
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When guests enter the foyer, they are greeted by an adobe portal that wraps around the floor, leading up the walls to the ceiling. This highlights the home’s three new floors, which are in stark contrast to the modest proportions from outside the home.
Exploring the unique textures and artworks in the living room, which leads to the dining area and kitchen
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The living room space builds on the themes of openness with high ceilings. The space has a muted palette that plays on different textures, from the abstract rug to a marble coffee table with books and trinkets reflecting the homeowners’ tastes.
The nearby consoles add a metallic edge to the space. One notable detail is the black-and-white lamp on the table, which adds a touch of nostalgic whimsy to the space. This echoes the balcony overlooking the living room, which adds sleek minimalism without losing its vintage touch. Overall, the space feels like a tribute to the past while exploring how the homeowners’ tastes will continue to evolve.
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Above The dining area
Above The shelf of vases, figurines and books that separates the dining area from the kitchen
The dining area
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The dining room features a picture window that overlooks the garden and the pool deck. With a long marble dining table and chairs in a soothing brown shade, the space easily adapts to gatherings with family and friends.
What truly sets this dining room apart is the homeowners’ collection of artworks and sculptures that carry over from the living room. The shelf bisecting the dining room and living room becomes an art installation of its own, with colourful vases, figurines, and books adding further dimension to the space. On the other side of the shelf is the fully modernised kitchen, with a muted palette that makes cooking and entertaining feel seamless.
The views of the pool from the kitchen
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By passing the lanai that is adjacent to the dining room, guests can find themselves in the pool house area. Vibrant artworks stand in contrast to the greys, blues, and browns of the tranquil space. This allows the verdant plants and azure pool to take centre stage, inviting guests to take a dip on a long, summer day.
Above The second-floor bedrooms, featuring doors with intricate details
The second-floor bedrooms, featuring doors with intricate details
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Returning inside the home, the second floor leads to the bedrooms, with each door echoing the motif from the home’s original wooden doors. The stairs lead up to the attic, which was Don Lino’s favourite space to design. The ceiling rafters are made of a warm wood that contrasts with the monochromatic palette and steel details, echoing elements of traditional Filipino design that mesh with the industrial designs seen around Manila.
Above The attic, featuring an Eames lounge chair
The attic, featuring an Eames lounge chair
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For Don Lino, renovating this house was an exciting challenge that reflected a tenet of his unique style. “By looking into the old and understanding how it can work with the new, we can learn and evolve,” he shares. “We wanted to make spaces that would stand the test of time and make sense with the family’s future.”
The key to finding a new identity for this home was to build on the existing structure, investing in furniture pieces, and accessories that can easily be rearranged to reflect the homeowners’ personalities. “We wanted the pieces to change over time, rather than the structure,” says Lino. Amid a fast-paced society, coming home to a space that blends elements of the past, present, and future turns this Manila home into an elevated sanctuary.
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Credits
Photography: Lino Architecture, Inc.
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
