Rising above the towering residential buildings that line Apartment Ridge Road and Ayala Avenue is multi award-winning British design firm Foster + Partners’ first development in the Philippines. Set to be the CBD’s main artery’s latest crowning jewel, The Estate Makati elevates what it means to have a home in the sky.
Designed and built together with STRC, the joint venture of real estate conglomerates SMDC and Federal Land, Inc., The Estate Makati sets a new standard in terms of construction and design. It will be the first residential development in the country to feature double-slab technology which gives future homeowners true flexibility in terms of layout of their units by providing the choice to change it up as they see fit. By concealing things like utilities, plumbing, and electricals in between double slabs of concrete, the unit layout can be customized according to the wishes of the homeowner.
Shaped by the Sun
For Foster + Partners, the design process started by studying the topography of Makati, including the patterns of the sun and wind. The Estate Makati was “literally shaped by the sun” which meant designing the windows to be angled a certain way so it doesn’t spill into the unit but still provides enough light – without compromising the breathtaking views of the Makati skyline. The firm also used double-glazed windows throughout the structure to reduce the flow of heat and external noise entering the building’s façade.
Further addressing the effect of the sun, the firm created a cross-shaped building. From its core extend each of the four wings, making each unit essentially the only one on each floor giving residents the utmost privacy and exclusivity.
Lots in the Sky
Hidden inside each of the units is the architectural feature that makes The Estate Makati rise above all others: the double-slab technology. By concealing things like utilities, plumbing, and electricals in between double slabs of concrete, the unit layout can be customized according to the wishes of the homeowner. Just imagine the possibilities of these “lots in the sky” – having a unit without columns or partitions.
Further highlighting the possibilities of design flexibility is the building’s concept of an “Inhabited façade” – a bay window like you’ve never seen. In this specially designed three-dimensional space constructed out of double-glazed glass and a stain-resistant shell of GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete), residents can fill this space with purpose—a work desk, a bench, a day bed, breakfast nook, and even a bathtub. Privacy, after all, is not an issue. These inhabited facades have been skewed by more than 10 degrees, making them face away from your neighbors.
Due to the building’s orientation, views from either the Ayala Avenue or Apartment Ridge Road side (facing Urdaneta Village) are phenomenal, even from the lower floors. On the uppermost levels, the nearly 270-degree views of the city are simply breathtaking.
The best of the best
Seeing as this will be the home of captains of industry, it is only but proper the best finishes and brands will be used in completing and equipping their living spaces.
The flooring, including the living areas, main kitchen, powder room, and master and junior bathrooms in the entire unit will use Bianco Sierra marble from Greece while high-quality engineered wood will be laid out for all the bedrooms.
The closets in the master bedroom are made by German brand Hulsta while those in the other bedrooms are by Eggersmann TZ. Bathrooms will boast of premium fixtures from Kohler and automatic toilets from Toto which will add sophistication to the space.
At the center of every unit at The Estate Makati will be a dazzling main kitchen which will feature state of the art appliances and cabinetry.
The kitchen boasts the b3 system from German brand bulthaup and also features a center island top with built-in drawers and a quartz top from Silestone, a Kindred sink and Primy faucet. The system wraps around the Miele oven and Gaggenau refrigerator and freezer which is fully built-in.
Even the service kitchen will be fully equipped with cabinets from Siematic, and a stove top range hood, and dishwasher from ELBA.
The House Receives, The House Provides
For residents’ peace of mind, the elevators are very spacious, one of which is large enough to accommodate a horizontally-oriented stretcher in the event of a medical emergency. Then should any of the residents require immediate treatment, the building’s helipad can be used to transport them to the nearest hospital.
Gearing up for the future, the building’s parking facility is equipped to handle electric vehicle charging needs, with a charging point provision.
In this modern living space, the importance of the human touch has not been overlooked. The Estate Makati’s staff takes care of daily tasks such as receiving residents’ food and mail parcel deliveries, and can accommodate requests that include your housekeeping, catering, and laundry needs.
With services such as these combined with the Estate Makati’s distinctive, one-of-a-kind architecture, there’s no reason why you’d want to live anywhere else.
Read more: Manila Bulletin Online – News
