MANILA, Philippines- The deterioration of the environment as a result of rapid tourist development in Boracay has become a major concern of investors, property owners and the travel trade.

Many buildings, especially close to the White Beach, were built, it seems, without conscious consideration of their surroundings. On the whole, White Beach has become overcrowded with unsightly buildings?apparently due to lack of planning.

The ?tree house? in Station One was designed as a result of the awareness of environmental issues by both the owners and architects. It embodies certain qualities of green design, which refers to anything that is eco-friendly, economical, energy-efficient and sustainable.

The vacation place, which until recently was owned by the dynamic couple Inigo and Maricris Zobel, is perched on a hill within the neighborhood of several resorts and upcoming property developments.

When architect Eduardo Ledesma of Leandro V. Locsin & Associates visited the site in January 2003, he noted that the site spoke for itself.

?It already told us where to build the house?at the highest point,? he says. A small wooden cottage rested on the peak. That determined the site of the future master bedroom, which would have a 360-degree panoramic view.

Asian design

The design is Asian in concept, with the peaked roofs and stilts that support it. The master bedroom rests on the giant boulder while its tip is supported by stilts. Since the owners were concerned about preserving the natural vegetation, the house was built around the trees.

Some of the trunks emerge from the floor and pierce the ceiling. From a distance, the master suite looks as if it is held up by the balete tree and its branches.

?No trees were felled here. There are three at the edges of the house, two of them cut through the balcony in the master bedroom and at the end of the lanai,? says Ledesma.

The vine-covered dita tree at the back of the vacation house runs parallel to the stilts and posts.

The house is made of sturdy materials to withstand the elements. With a base of concrete and steel, its finishes are reliable woods and tiles. The columns are dressed with local teakwood. The ceiling is clad with tanguile, a hardwood which may not have the elegant grains of the expensive narra, but is nonetheless of good quality.

The master bedroom flooring is also done in tanguile with a dark varnish to exude a wenge finish. The balcony and deck flooring uses the yakal, an all-weather hardwood. The railings are done in steel and clad with wood.

Homogenous tiles for easy maintenance were used for the three bedrooms on the lower floor, the lanai and entertainment area and the stairway.
The sliding doors were done in local aluminum with steel reinforcements, covered in wood. Clearly, the selection of materials was based on their being environment-friendly and not for ostentation.

The sloping roofs are a takeoff from the bahay kubo with the high pitches and the tongue-in-groove construction (a method of enabling two flat pieces of wood to be joined securely). The steel roofing (with I-beams for support) have a shingle effect to keep the house sturdy.

The 360-sq m vacation house was completed in 10 months. Many parts of the house such as the roof, ceiling, flooring, cabinets, etc. were built in Manila, then assembled on site. An odd space at the lanai was transformed into an infinity pool, lined with dark blue homogenous tiles.

Energy-efficient

Aside from its materials, Ledesma says the house aims to be energy-efficient by using natural light instead of artificial light. Also, ?The design doesn?t require air-conditioning because it is open on all sides. You get the amihan and the habagat to cool the building. There are big overhangs so you don?t get the heat upstairs. That also saves on energy.?

He adds that the transom (a horizontal opening way above the windows) in the ceiling in the master bedroom facilitates natural lighting while the transom in the public area enables hot air to escape.

For drama, cove lights were installed to add romance to the woods. Halogen pinlights for each of the wood-clad columns and lamps lend a softer ambience.
Ledesma adds that the entire landscape also follows a lighting design to emphasize its lushness at night. The big trees which have become structural posts of the home are enhanced by uplighters.

The interior decor by Ben Hughes of Steven Leach?s design firm exemplifies tropical chic, revolving around comfort, warmth, and the use of nautical themes, cool colors and natural textural elements.

The style looks fresh because the main palette is neutral muted colored accents. It uses streamlined details, a few big pieces and modern furniture in textural materials. There are lots of handwoven fabrics from indigenous plants, antique pieces, plus a few exotic tribal accents. Photos of the waves and seashell accents create a link between the house and Boracay.