Design and Art news, reviews, comments and original features

Concrete House by Micaela Benedicto Stands Tall on the Cliffs by the Ocean of Batangas, Philippines

Concrete House by Micaela Benedicto Stands Tall on the Cliffs by the Ocean of Batangas

(Photo: Miguel Nacianceno)

The beautiful shores of the Philippines found in Concrete House by the Ocean are great proof that a spectacular natural environment plays a vital role in harmonizing modern architecture with its own. An outstanding architect named Micaela Benedicto from MB Architecture Studio designed this dwelling. It explores new territory in coastal living by providing its residents with a stylish lifestyle aligned with nature's serene beauty.

Whenever one hears the name "Concrete House by the Ocean," one might envisage an image where this house is just a grey and dull industrial structure rather than naturally complementing the picturesque ocean views. Nevertheless, the building possesses an intricate mask that only those who have been through it would understand, as underneath its minimalist facade is an architectural marvel, meticulously designed and tailored to fit the panoramic views that the cliff near Nasugbus, Batangas, offers. Product of Benedicto's vision is not the ordinary functionality only, but the harmony, she makes the inner part of the house look like the outer part, the happening of the two environments being its result.

Concrete House by Micaela Benedicto Stands Tall on the Cliffs by the Ocean of Batangas

(Photo: Miguel Nacianceno)

Architectural Vision and Concept

'MB Architecture Studio's leader, Benedicto, invites the future inhabitants of Concrete House by the Ocean to (feel) the breeze of Nature and look into Its surroundings like a temple where you sit inside contemplating the elements. Her vision to establish a home that blurs the lines between nature and the built environment and still provides space for solitude from the elements grew from her recognition of the movement of ocean waves.

Design Features and Layout

The social core of a home is its airy main floor, contrasted by two quiet rooms that serve as the private shelters of the bedrooms. The very construction of it, done with a brand new recycled wooden plank, gives you a sense of warmth and sustainable development. Humanize this sentence by adding amplifying adjectives and changing the sentence structure: In the area of the 12-meter-long space, all additional objects that have not got the necessary equipment for workers and guests, that provoke the people of the camp to collect, visits by the representatives of various collectives, visits of child groups and so on.

Also Read: Giovanni Michelucci's Dramatic Concrete Church Symbolizes Hope and Remembrance of the Italian Dolomites

Concrete House by Micaela Benedicto Stands Tall on the Cliffs by the Ocean of Batangas

(Photo: Miguel Nacianceno)

As Benedicto explains, "We built the house on the highest part of the land to maximize views and minimize its footprint." This strategic placement not only affords sweeping vistas of the azure horizon but also mitigates the impact of the humid seaside climate. Concrete ledges provide shelter from the elements, while the expansive roof doubles as a panoramic viewing deck, inviting residents to bask in the splendor of their coastal surroundings.

Seamless Integration with Nature

Just like concrete is often used as a bridge that connects two parts of the road, this house bestirs the outer and inner space together, recognizing that nature is an inherent part of this design. A pool and a raised terrace are provided as a unique supplement to the outside area that allows its occupants to plunge themselves into the peaceful surroundings of the vibrant sun and ocean. At the mere glide of my hand, the moving glass would change my home into an open-to-all enclosure resembling an idyllic shelter. The soothing ocean whisper and the winding waves become my closeness.

Sustainable Sensibilities

Sustainability was the theme in the choice of exteriors, with the designer opting for rough concrete instead of traditional finishes, a material famed for outstanding durability. Lowering the level of maintenance and desiring structural staying power begins with this awareness. In a way that the design is ascertained with longevity and natural features, Ocean House by Concrete is a sign of the responses that environmentally conscious procedures are based on in a period when ecological awareness has reached a peak.

Concrete house by the ocean, established by the architect Micaela Benedicto, is more than a simple shelter. Instead, it is an idyllic spot where natural life and modern technology feel like a natural combination. From the quiet simplicity of its physical appearance down to the way it blends so harmoniously into its surroundings, this coastal retreat showcases the link between the natural beauty of the country and the power of its heritage that comes from the coastal communities. Like dancing waves touching the shore and lonely wind tangling with gray concrete, immersion's awe comes out as a timeless magnate.

Related Article: K. Wah Riverside E18 Residence's Impact on Shanghai's Urban Landscape and Housing Typology