Konnichi wa, South Forbes

MANILA, Philippines - A trip to Japan can leave one mesmerized by its charming homes,impressive shrines, and quaint villages that blend seamlessly with the picturesque landscapes. This is characteristic of Japanese design here the built environment becomes part of the natural, inspired by the principles of zen.

In South Forbes Golf City, the country’s largest fully-integrated and all-themed golf resortcity at the heart of the Metro Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay corridor, and recipient of the Best Golf Community Development honor by the CNBC International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property awards programme, there is no need to bring out the yen in Tokyo Mansions, South Forbes’ Japanese-inspired enclave where everyday can be a totally zen experience.

Torii Gate. Entering Tokyo Mansions reveals a simple display of plants and dry stones at the guardhouse, a simple structure with a slender base and a prominent roof. The swaying row of tall bamboo along the stone pedestrian walk immediately creates a relaxing, lulling effect. The short walk from the street to one’s front porch becomes a respite, allowing its residents to enter in a more peaceful disposition.

Walking along the landscaped walks of Tokyo Mansions, named after Tokyo’s notable districts, is in itself a meditative exercise.

Imperial Palace. At the end of the main avenue is an elegant structure — the Tokyo Mansions clubhouse. Residents and guests drive along a concentric circular formation with a fountain at the center. Once one steps in, the grand design becomes apparent: two similar structures separated by an open-air foyer create a sense of balance. A two-level infinity pool offers residents and their guests a chance to relax.

Soon, a Zen garden located further to the side will be that spiritual space where the mind becomes acutely sensitive to the uncomplicated.

Tokugawa Tribute. The Edo model mansion has a contemporary take on Japanese architecture and interior design. The interiors at the main level are a testament to Zen minimalism with the introduction of full-height glass panels and sliding doors integrates the private indoor space to the natural outdoor area. The dark wood of the furniture and architectural elements as well as the reds and greens of accent pieces do not at all clash against the white canvas of the floor, walls, and ceiling. The open layout of the living-dining-kitchen areas allows for a more fluid and functional use of space. The adjacent den is made private with wood-framed sliding doors that mimic the traditional shoji screens.

The master’s bedroom is designed for a well-traveled couple. The patterns on the ceiling hints of tradition, akin to Japanese weaving. A lounge chair and ottoman beside the window The master’s bedroom is designed for a well-traveled couple. The patterns on the ceiling hints of tradition, akin to Japanese weaving. A lounge chair and ottoman beside the window is perfect for some reading before retiring for the night. The children’s bedrooms are the exclusive spaces for a jovial older sister and an active younger brother.

Restoration of Tradition. The Meiji exterior extols the virtue and beauty of simplicity and austerity with its pristine-white walls and clean yet expressive lines from ground to roof, free from ostentatious ornamentation often used in classical Western design. The tranquil waters of the pools finished in black tiles create soft reflections symbolic of a calm and enlightened spirit. A layer of black Japanese roof tiles rests on wooden eaves and exposed rafters that mimic the gentle waves of the ocean. The best time to view the Meiji mansion is from dusk to evening when it transforms to a traditional Japanese lantern that illuminates the night sky as originally conceived by the architect.

The ground level is practically a showroom of world-class furniture and art pieces that enhance, not overwhelm, the pure form of the house. The master suite remains traditional with the ingenious use of sisal matting that resemble the time-honored tatami. The bed rests against a glass headboard depicting flowers in bloom, similar to sumi paintings that have adorned the Japanese home for centuries.

Dózo. Move in right here, right now in South Forbes Golf City where every resident is entitled to free golf membership to the world-class 18-hole Golf and Leisure Club.

Philippine Star
November 27, 2009

Developer: Cathay Land

Marketed by: Philproperties International Corporation the best professional online real estate company of choice.

Asian elegance in South Forbes

Manila Bulletin
December 2, 2009

Zen is a concept that most people fail to fully comprehend. To translate it in architecture is even more demanding.

With only a handful of architects who can execute such a concept, Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng has chosen Arch. Ed Ledesma, a master of minimalism, to design the main features in Tokyo Mansions – the Meiji model mansion and the Tokyo Mansions clubhouse.
Tokyo Mansions is the most serene and contemplative enclave of South Forbes Golf City, the country’s largest fully-integrated and all-themed golf resort city at the Metro Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay corridor. In this community, the Japanese philosophy of building with nature permeates all throughout.

Faithful to tradition. To the Japanese, striving for quiet nobility and restrained elegance remain the highest goal of artistic achievement. Arch. Ledesma achieves this with a balance of materials, color, volumes, and natural elements.

The Meiji exterior extols the beauty of simplicity and austerity with its pristine-white walls and clean yet expressive lines from the ground to the steep, black Japanese tile roof – free from ostentatious ornamentation often used in classical Western design. The tranquil waters of the pools finished in black tiles create soft reflections of the gently swaying bamboo flanked against the wall, symbolic of a calm spirit.

“Clear glass windows surround the whole second floor to illuminate the living spaces inside while the extended eaves help with reducing the glare,” Arch. Ledesma said. “At night, when all is lit from within, the house will glow like a Japanese lantern.”

Upon entering, one is awed with the openness of the whole ground level that allows the entire space to become the main room of the whole house.

The interior space can be divided by sliding screen dividers hidden within the walls that mimic the traditional shoji. The high ceiling and the sliding glass panels, Arch. Ed believes, counteracts the limiting defined space of living area.

The second floor values the hierarchy in the Japanese home where one wing of the house is devoted to the master suite while the children’s bedrooms are all on the opposite end.

As nature intended. At the end of the road from the village gate is the Tokyo Mansions clubhouse, which is striking in its simplicity with the symmetrical layout of the two function halls – wood-clad columns and beams supporting an enormous roof with a five-meter overhang on all sides, with sliding glass panels for walls – lending the illusion of lightness.

The clubhouse is located on a ridge where it slopes down several meters to the rear, to a river runs along the perimeter. A double-level infinity-edge pool was called for and the cascade effect it creates is most soothing to the senses, especially when spending time at the adjacent Japanese garden.

Manila Bulletin
December 2, 2009

Developer: Cathay Land

Marketed by: Philproperties International Corporation the best professional online real estate company of choice.