Advanced Technology Meets Sustainable Design in This Residential Project in Makati

Technology’s integration into our lives is nothing out of the ordinary, and advancements in the field have led to the city’s ever changing skyline. One such contributor to modern architecture is British-born Norman Foster, who has been transforming landscapes for over 50 years. He has developed a reputation not only for being one of the most prolific architects of his generation, but also for incorporating high-tech and green practices in his designs.

With his company Foster + Partners, he and his team have worked on hundreds of projects all over the world, including the Hong Kong International Airport, the HSBC Headquarters in Hong Kong, and the Apple Headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Foster believes technology should be utilized and maximized to serve the people who will eventually inhabit a space. Despite this, he never loses the original environment surrounding his design—making use of natural light and ventilation and even finding ways to incorporate renewable energy into his blueprints. “Many of the green ideas we explored in early projects are only now becoming a reality because of the new technologies at our disposal,” he points out.

SMDC and Federal Land, Inc., two of the biggest real estate developers in the country, are collaborating with the world-renowned design firm and celebrated architectural firm W.V. Coscolluela & Associates to build its first project in the Philippines: The Estate Makati, which will be located along Ayala Avenue. The structure will boast of technologies yet to be seen in any residential development.

As with every Foster + Partners project, the design team studied the topography surrounding Ayala Avenue, carefully considering factors such as wind direction and natural light in designing the interior and exterior of the building.

Each unit, whether it’s the two-bedroom, three-bedroom sub-penthouse, or super penthouse, is column-free and makes use of double slab technology, which will allow residents to customize the layout of their homes according to their preference. “There is not a single column in the units,” says Roland Schnizer, a partner of Foster + Partners, who further explained the structural integrity of the building comes by way of cantilevered beams. “You wouldn’t have columns that would interfere with or interrupt the flexible layout, allowing the resident to design and furnish it any way they want.”

Keeping privacy in mind, Foster + Partners ensures no two units will directly face each other. Double-glazed windows are also angled by 10 degrees to provide shade and privacy, yet still offer scenic views of the city.

Putting in mind the living ideals of its future residents, Foster + Partners conceptualized the cruciform design of the building so each flat is a true corner unit. Some units will have sweeping 270-degree views of Ayala Avenue or Urdaneta Village. Both the common areas and bedrooms of all units will come with white natural stone and marble finishes.

The building will also boast sustainable and environmentally-friendly features such as deep, horizontal fins which will allow natural ventilation and shade, a highly efficient AC and lighting system which will have at least 20 percent energy savings, and high-performance glass resulting in a well-insulated building envelope.

For more information on The Estate Makati, visit www.theestatemakati.com, or email [email protected].