A.C. Residence | A Modern Tropical Retreat in Nasugbu, Batangas

Board-formed concrete, cement-fiber wood-slat cladding, standing-seam metal roofing, natural stone wall cladding, powder-coated steel railings, solid timber louvers and sliding doors, tempered glass curtain walls, hardwood deck flooring, textured plaster facade finish.

The brief called for a weekend residence in Nasugbu, Batangas, a retreat from Manila that could host family gatherings while staying private from the street. The 380 sqm lot's gentle contours and mature tree cover set the terms early: build with the slope, not against it, and let the outdoors lead the plan.

A single sweeping roof plane unifies the residence, its dark standing-seam profile cantilevering over a timber-louvered facade that filters light without closing off views. The plan folds around a central courtyard-pool axis, dissolving the boundary between interior living spaces and the landscape beyond.

To create a home that reads as an extension of its site, where board-formed concrete grounds the structure, natural stone retains the terrain, and every sightline from the kitchen, living, and dining spaces resolves toward water and greenery. A residence built for slow mornings and long dinners outdoors.

The massing developed as two linked volumes: a louvered upper floor for private quarters, and an open ground floor dissolving into a covered terrace and infinity pool. Material choices were tested against the coastal Batangas climate, including cross-ventilation through timber slats, deep roof overhangs for rain and heat control, and a stone-clad water feature that doubles as a passive cooling element for the outdoor lounge.

Delivered under the residential single-detached typology, construction prioritized durable, low-maintenance finishes suited to a semi-coastal site. Board-formed concrete, natural stone, and metal roofing were selected for longevity with minimal upkeep. The result: a 300 sqm residence completed to match its original concept renderings, from roofline to pool edge.