This weekend home in Tanauan, Batangas, seamlessly blends with its lush surroundings, using materials that embrace natural weathering over time
A deep connection with nature is essential to one’s well-being. Designing spaces that fit seamlessly with the surrounding flora and fauna is key to creating a relaxing space. For architect Sacha Cotture, this property in Tanauan, Batangas was a hidden gem. “We explore the surroundings of Cebu and Mindanao, before moving towards Batangas,” he shared. “We felt it would be better to access the house from Manila.”
Upon their arrival at Tanauan, Cotture and his family were immediately enamoured by the lush scenery. Many trees and plants grew as far as the eye could see, with expansive views of the nearby Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. “It was love at first sight,” said Cotture. “We were so stunned, we couldn’t even take photos when we arrived.”
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The living room with expansive views of the lake
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The inspiration for the home’s design was rooted in its surroundings. “We wanted to create a dialogue with the volcano’s profound natural process of creating material like lava and smoke,” said Cotture. As such, the home’s façade is designed with patina in mind. This includes all shutters of expanded metal sheets covering the glass doors, windows and the ceiling over the lanai.
Over time and exposure to elements, the house will take on rust, but Cotture embraces this as essential to the home’s design. “This is the other side of the material’s lifespan,” he says. As a weekend getaway for his family, the house stands as a firm reflection of their growth over time.
