00:00Hello OG! My name is Raph and I'm the architect of this house.
00:04Welcome to Isla, the split-level house here in Maycawain, Bulacan.
00:08Let's go inside!
00:17So before we go inside the house, let me show you this area first.
00:22So this is the lanai that leads to the main entrance of the house.
00:26So if you'll notice, this area is elevated than the road because this is a split-level house.
00:32So in this area, this is one of the favorite coffee spot of the client.
00:37Then, what's also special about this area, these stairs that seems floating because
00:44we put a koi pond underneath because in their previous house, they have a koi pond.
00:49So might as well integrate it to the current design.
00:52Actually, this island was a big surprise to me.
00:59Just a background, during COVID time, I was a COVID survivor.
01:06During those times, my husband did nothing but pray.
01:10And then, when I was recovering and brought to the recovery room already,
01:14he was biking around the place and he found this wonderful place.
01:20So when I was brought home, he brought me here and invited me for a ride.
01:26So this place is full of trees, grass, and all.
01:30So I thought, this is a nice place, this place is beautiful, I said.
01:34And little did I know, that he was already transacting with the owners of this property.
01:42So, we're now here in the pool area, literally the center of the property.
01:48So it's in between the main house and the pavilion.
01:51And also, we put a very wide gate here so that when there's a party, we can open it.
01:59And then, this is our outdoor dining table.
02:03Usually, they also eat here.
02:04So the property is 465 square meters.
02:08We call it Isla, because it is a property that is bounded all around with road.
02:14And then, the floor area of this house is around 300 square meters.
02:20So, welcome to the main house of Isla.
02:23This is the living room, dining, and then the kitchen.
02:29So as you can see, the ceiling is very high, almost two stories high.
02:34And then, we also maximized the windows and the windowsills.
02:38So, this is the main house of Isla.
02:40So, this is the living room, dining, and then the kitchen.
02:45So, as you can see, the ceiling is very high, almost two stories high.
02:49And then, the windows, aside from our normal doors.
02:55What's also special about this area, we put doors leading to the living room.
03:01So that if ever there's an occasion or a party, we can just open this.
03:07And then, the guests can spill over outside.
03:10Since the ceiling of this area is very high, we also have a very big blank wall.
03:18And then, I requested to my clients, since they like to collect paintings.
03:25I said, ma'am, can we put a painting here that's a bit big, like a conversational piece?
03:32And then, during that time, Maria Clara and Ibarra were very popular,
03:36and the Doctora and Chief were kind of fond of it.
03:39So, they commissioned a painting, and that became their inspiration.
03:44One of the requests of the Doctora is to use their old furniture in their old house.
03:51So, I think this has a sentimental value to them, that's why they integrated it here.
03:57So, the challenge is, since the exterior looks old, our furniture inside will also be old.
04:05So, to balance it, and to have a modern touch to the interior, we put modern pieces.
04:12So, this table, these, and then the dining table, which also has a Filipino touch to it,
04:19including the one on our lights.
04:23When we had our first meeting, what I told Arky was specific.
04:29I wanted a house with a roof that's like a roof.
04:32I was still young, and I already dreamed of a house with a roof.
04:37The second requirement of the Doctora is,
04:40they want the master bedroom to be a few steps away from the main living floor.
04:45So, so that when they get older, just a few steps away, and they'll be right in their room.
05:01This is the way to the guest bedroom.
05:03Let's go inside.
05:07So, here in the guest bedroom, you have a queen-size bed.
05:11So, in terms of selection of furniture, it still continues here.
05:15There's a closet for the guests, they can put their things here.
05:19And then, this bedroom also has its own toilet and bath.
05:23To save space, what we used here is a sliding barn door.
05:27Then, same with the other toilet, it's still the same.
05:32So, let's go to the basement.
05:34Actually, it's not a full basement, it's just a half basement.
05:36I'll explain it to you later.
05:39So, welcome to the man cave.
05:41So, this space is really dedicated for the husband.
05:45So, this space is where he collects his toys, liquors, and then his camping gears.
05:54Because they, as a couple, their hobby is overlanding or 4x4s.
05:59Then, this space was really generated because we elevated the living area.
06:06We utilized the lower part as a half basement.
06:11So, it's not a full basement.
06:13The good thing about a half basement is that you can still put a window
06:16so that natural lighting and ventilation can still enter.
06:19Then, in this space, you also have a view of the pavilion and swimming pool.
06:24So, finally, we reached the primary bedroom.
06:27This is the bedroom of the chief and the doctor.
06:29Let's go inside.
06:38So, welcome to the primary bedroom.
06:40This bed is king-size.
06:42They have a footbed for, let's say, if they want to watch TV and be closer to the TV,
06:47they can do it here.
06:48Then, on this corner, they have a mirror.
06:52Then, on this corner, I put a reading chair.
06:58So, the chief or the doctor can sit there and raise their feet here.
07:02They have a balcony.
07:04They can also sit here, overlooking the swimming pool and the pavilion.
07:10And also, what I like about this room, the ceiling is also high.
07:14So, how did we achieve the high ceiling?
07:18We followed the angle of the roof.
07:22This door leads to the walk-in closet.
07:24Let's go inside.
07:28So, this door leads to the toilet and bath.
07:34So, it's on the mirror because if you notice, this walk-in closet doesn't have its own window
07:41because we maximized this wall for the cabinet.
07:46So, with the use of glass, the light coming from the toilet will enter this area.
07:57So, this is the toilet and bath of the doctor and chief.
08:01So, as you can see, the lavatory is his and hers.
08:04And then, there's also a big window here for natural lighting and ventilation.
08:09For privacy, we put roll-up blinds.
08:16So, this is the area.
08:18Their whirlpool tub is here.
08:20And then, there's a separate enclosure for the water closet and shower.
08:25Also, if you can notice, the toilet has a high ceiling.
08:30And then, to continue with the concept of the interior, we also put wooden false beams.
08:37I enjoyed the process of planning and constructing this house
08:42because the doctor and chief are very pleasant clients and colleagues.
08:48So, I rarely encounter a client who follows whatever is on the plan.
08:56And whatever materials you suggest, even if it's just a small piece of furniture,
09:03even if it's a little more expensive, they're okay with it
09:10because they understand that it will make the project better.
09:15Undeniably, the space in my clinic, which you will see in a while, that's my favorite spot.
09:24So, this door also leads to the doctor's clinic.
09:27So, coming from her bedroom, just a few steps down,
09:30she's already here. She'll go to her clinic right away.
09:35So, this is the door that leads to the doctor's clinic.
09:39So, it's just a short walk for her to get to work.
09:43She doesn't have to leave the property going to her office.
09:47So, let's go inside.
09:51Hi, Doc!
09:52Hi, Archie!
09:54So, Chief has a man cave.
09:56Doctor has a clinic.
09:58This is her favorite spot in the house.
10:00So, this is her sanctuary or her oasis.
10:04So, Doc, you can have a consultation.
10:16They always say, a house is made up of walls and beams,
10:23but a home is made up of love and dreams.
10:30So, that ends our tour here on the island.
10:32Thank you for joining me.
10:34I hope you learned a lot
10:36and were inspired by the story of this house.
10:38Thank you for watching and bye-bye!
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