3 Storey Japandi Inspired House

Small Condo, Big Ideas: Space & Storage Hacks for a 2-Bedroom Unit

Creative House Design for A Deep and Narrow Lot

A few months ago, a client approached me with a unique challenge: designing a house on an unusual lot. The site was distinctive due to its narrow 6-meter frontage and a depth of 45 meters. The client wanted to build a secondary house for his children, who were studying in a different city. Initially, he envisioned a two-story house but later decided on a single-story design.

The client's space requirements were specific. He needed a two-car garage, four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, and a servants' quarters. Incorporating these elements into the design required careful planning. Given the elongated shape of the lot, we had to use firewalls on both sides to maximize the available space.

One of the primary challenges was arranging the rooms to ensure adequate natural light and ventilation. This was critical for creating a comfortable living environment despite the narrow frontage. Additionally, we had to address the plumbing and drainage needs, considering the long depth of the site. The slope required for proper drainage and plumbing posed a significant challenge, necessitating precise elevation planning for the floors.

The site’s 45-meter depth meant that we had to carefully design the floor elevations to meet the minimum slope requirements for plumbing. Ensuring that the drainage system functioned efficiently while maintaining a seamless design was a complex task.

Check out the video to see how we successfully solved these design challenges and created a functional and aesthetically pleasing home on this unique lot.   

Modern Duplex Design: Spacious Living for the Family

As an architect, I'm constantly striving to design homes that seamlessly blend contemporary aesthetics with functional living spaces. This two-story duplex exemplifies that philosophy, offering a spacious and well-appointed environment for families.

Exploring the Intriguing World of Modern Tiny Houses: Leveraging AI's Potential

Tiny houses have always piqued my interest due to their clever use of space and ability to provide all necessary amenities in a compact design. The allure of these small houses, combined with my appreciation for modern and eccentric architecture, inspired me to embark on a journey to design one-of-a-kind houses. While most online examples of tiny houses are traditional or minimalist in style, I sought inspiration from cutting-edge AI technologies to create unique modern tiny house designs. In this blog post, I'll talk about my experience with Stable Diffusion and Wombo Dream, two incredible AI tools, and show off the stunning results they produced.

The Appeal of Tiny Houses

Tiny houses have an inherently appealing quality. Their innovative designs call into question the notion that living spaces must be large in order to be comfortable. Instead, they encourage ingenuity and resourcefulness while maximizing every square foot to provide functional and efficient living spaces. The appeal for me is in the way these small homes manage to create a sense of coziness and contentment while still providing all of the necessary amenities. Tiny houses embody the art of space optimization, from cozy lofts to multi-purpose furniture.

Cost-Saving Tips for Building Your Dream Home

Building a new home is a significant investment and an exciting time in one's life, but it can also be expensive. The construction cost can quickly add up, making it challenging to stick to a budget. However, there are several ways to reduce the cost of house construction and make your dream home more affordable.

 

In this article, we will discuss various ways to reduce the cost of house construction. From limiting the floor area and the number of rooms to choosing affordable roofing materials, we will provide practical tips and advice to help you build your dream home while staying within your budget. By following these tips, you can reduce the cost of house construction and build a comfortable and cost-effective home that meets your needs and fits your budget.

 

Build a Single Story House

Building a single-story house has several benefits that make it an attractive option for many homeowners. One of the most significant benefits is faster construction. Single-story homes require fewer materials and less labor, which means less time to complete the construction than multi-story homes. This can be especially important for families who want to move into their new home as quickly as possible.

Another benefit of building a single-story house is faster turnover. A single-story home has no stairs to navigate, making it a more practical option for families with young children, older adults, or individuals with mobility challenges. This can make the home more accessible and comfortable for everyone who lives there, and it can also make the home more appealing to potential buyers in the future.

In addition to faster construction and turnover, single-story homes are also easier to maintain. They require fewer repairs and renovations over time, making them a cost-effective choice for families and individuals who want a comfortable and well-maintained home.

Single-story homes also provide more privacy and a greater connection to the outdoors. With a single-story home, you can enjoy outdoor living spaces, like a backyard or patio, without the distractions and noise of neighboring homes.

Building a single-story home can provide families and individuals with a comfortable and cost-effective living experience. With its faster construction, faster turnover, and ease of maintenance, a single-story home can be an attractive option for anyone looking to build a new home.

 

From Cost Savings to Environmental Benefits: Everything You Need to Know About Installing Solar Panels

When it comes to solar energy systems, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether to use an off-grid, grid-tie, or hybrid solar inverter. Each system has its advantages and benefits, as well as its strengths and weaknesses. This article will explore the differences between off-grid, grid-tie, and hybrid solar inverters and help you decide which system is right for you.

Solar energy systems have become increasingly popular as people look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and lower energy costs. One of the most critical components of a solar energy system is the inverter, which converts the direct current (DC) power generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) power to power your home or business.

How to determine the solar power system that will fit your need?

Determining the size of your solar power system is an essential step in ensuring that your system meets your energy needs and provides maximum savings. Here are the steps to determine the size of your solar power system:

1. Determine your energy usage.

The first step in determining the size of your solar power system is to assess your energy usage. You can review your electricity bills to see how much energy you use every month.

2. Calculate your roof space.

The next step is determining how much roof space you have for solar panels. The roof measurements will help you determine how many panels you can fit on your roof and how much energy they can generate.

Illuminating Your Space: A Simple and Easy Method for Determining Room Lighting Needs

When it comes to lighting a room, having the proper number of light fixtures to achieve the desired brightness level while also being energy efficient is critical. Using a combination of lux, area, and lumens per fixture is a simple way to calculate the number of lights needed. This article will go over this method in depth and show you how to use it to get the ideal lighting for any room.

 

Photo by iSAW Company from Pexels

LED Panels vs Bulbs: Why I Choose the Classic Option

Bulbs and LED panel lights are both popular options for lighting your home or office, but they have some essential differences that make one a better choice in certain situations than the other. This article will examine why I prefer bulb-type lights over LED panel lights.

Photo by Luca Nardone from Pexels

Familiarity

Bulb lighting is a more traditional and familiar option for many people. They have been around for over a century and are the first choice for most people when lighting their homes. Bulbs are also widely available and can be found in most hardware and home improvement stores, making them easy to find and purchase. 

7 Excellent Alternatives to Solid Wood Flooring

Do you want an alternative to solid wood flooring? Although solid wood is a classic choice, some may have better options. There are numerous alternatives, whether you want a less expensive option or a more durable and easy-to-maintain flooring material. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the best solid wood flooring alternatives, including their benefits, best uses, technical specifications, and what distinguishes them from solid wood.

Photo by Kelly from Pexels

How to Check a Property for Geohazards in the Philippines

If you are looking to buy a property, one of the first things you should do is check for any geohazards in that area. Doing your due diligence before making a decision will save you from headaches in the future. Geohazards are intangible factors of a property that buyers frequently overlook. When you visit a property, there is usually no way for you to determine whether the property has a geohazard risk.

Photo by Pok Rie

Residential Septic Tank Calculator

I've been considering making a spreadsheet calculator to calculate my plumbing and electrical requirements for my design. Although I hire an electrical engineer and a master plumber to calculate the final requirements for my designs, I usually create the initial layout based on my calculations. I decided to create a series of spreadsheet calculators based on Philippine codes to help me work more efficiently. I will share these calculators once I have finished streamlining them. These calculators will only serve as a guide for your needs, and I still recommend that you hire a professional to avoid any future issues.

Link for a copy of The Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

Cubo Modular Houses Made of Engineered Bamboo in the Philippines

Cubo has gained a lot of attention after its founder has been featured in mainstream media both local and abroad. The multi- awardee founder of Cubo Engr Earl Patrick Forlales, aims to solve the Philippines' housing problem by providing affordable modular houses. To achieve low construction costs, he uses bamboo, a widely available and renewable material in the Philippines, as his building material.

Cubo treats and processes bamboo into engineered bamboo that is standardized, making it a more workable material than raw bamboo. Cubo then manufactures standard panels, which can then be assembled on-site by the Cubo team. The prefabricated modular construction system Cubo implements allow them to assemble a house in a matter of days. 

House DL15 - Modern Three Story Residential Building

Project: House DL15

Year: 2015

Lot Area: 363 m²

Floor Area: 440 m²

A modern three-story house in Cebu City draws inspiration from Modern Scandinavian and Bauhaus designs. The house's layout was designed to maximize the steep downhill slope while minimizing excavation to the existing terrain. 

The house has an open floor plan layout that connects the living, dining, and kitchen area into one open space. Upon entering the foyer, a double-height ceiling in the living room is the first thing you see. Large sliding windows and doors engulf the interior with natural light. The sliding doors in the dining area and kitchen connect the interior to the terrace, increasing the ground floor's usable floor area. All the bedrooms are on the second floor, and each bedroom has its bathroom.

The lower ground floor has a large lanai with a dining and living area. The ground floor covers the lanai, which provides a spacious outdoor space protected from the heat and weather. The lanai is open on three sides, allowing natural breeze to flow. The project was completed on 2018.

4 Reasons to Choose Exposed Pipe Showers

Exposed piped showers are becoming a trend for several reasons. Asides from aesthetics, these showers have functional advantages over their embedded counterparts. Below are some of the benefits exposed shower systems have over embedded showers.

Exposed Shower System from Grohe

Factors to Consider Before Acquiring a Hillside Lot

Logan Hillside Houses by Brian Stansberry

People choose hillside lots for the cool breeze and stunning views. The cold atmosphere is especially desirable in tropical countries such as the Philippines. When picking a hillside lot, it is necessary to determine the lot's inclination before making a decision. Hillside lots either have an uphill or downhill slope, and each has its unique characteristics. Understanding the distinction between the two grades can help you make a better decision when acquiring a rolling lot. It will help you select the ideal lot that is suitable for your needs.

HOUSE CD08 - SPLIT LEVEL HOUSE WITH POOL

YEAR: 2008

FLOOR AREA: 138 SQM

House CD08 was a concept house I made back in 2008. I utilized a split level house design that follows the downhill lot's contour to minimize site alteration. The split level design makes the house look smaller than its actual size.

It has two carports, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a spacious kitchen and dining area. Upon entering the house, an infinity pool greets you. The home features a swimming pool with a fixed glass window that is visible from the inside.

 

The Home of The Future, How Technology Can Improve Our Homes.

A few weeks ago, I found a mini-series created by The Verge featuring the house of the future, hosted by the late Grant Imahara of Mythbusters. The series explores what our current technology can do to improve the efficiency of our home. There are six episodes in the series, and each focuses on a specific aspect of the house.

The series begins with the building of the house. They use prefabrication to reduce costs and speed up construction. This unconventional construction method has been around for quite some time, but the industry has not yet fully adopted it. The show discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this method.

How Technology Allows Us to Explore Famous Structures

Technology has brought us several ways to explore our world. The advancements in Internet speed over the last decade have allowed us to share an enormous amount of information that was only a dream a few decades ago. Virtual reality is one exciting technology; while it's only in the early stages, the way we view the world has changed. It helped us to explore places in three-dimensional space without leaving the comfort of our home.

Create Fast Architectural Walkthroughs Using 3D Photospheres

3D rendering is one of the tools architects generally use to present designs to their clients. Renderings are two-dimensional representations of a building, and it allows clients to see the structure before construction. The limitation of this method is that clients won't comprehend how space feels even with furniture installed because there is no continuity between the view in front and what's behind it.