montelago clubhouse and convertible court

As many Filipinos will attest, traveling abroad is often a bittersweet experience. Much as we enjoy immersing ourselves in new cultures, we also often find ourselves puzzled as to why we can’t have the same quality public spaces back home. 

In Metro Cebu, parks and well-designed public spaces are completely absent. The closest thing we have are our air-conditioned shopping malls, which have transformed into modern-day plazas. Despite this, we still yearn for a truly outdoor experience, to breathe fresh air, and to feel the ground beneath our feet.    

Montelago serves as a response to this dilemma. Set within a 25-hectare private residential enclave, the project hopes to fill the gap left by government and provide a much-needed space to host the happenings of everyday life.    

The development features a versatile clubhouse, thoughtfully designed for both intimate family gatherings and larger celebrations. A 250-meter-long park gently weaves along the mountainside, offering spaces that accommodate both active recreation and quiet moments of reflection — perfect for group activities or personal retreats. Completing the triad, the convertible courts provide dedicated spaces for basketball and tennis, encouraging residents to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.   

Innovation 

A central aspect of the Clubhouse design is its modular structure. By following simple repetition through a 3-meter x 3-meter x 3-meter cube configuration, it achieves complexity while ensuring adaptability and ease of construction. This flexibility supports future modifications, as the modular pieces can be adjusted, expanded, or replaced with little impact on the overall aesthetic. The organic nature of the design does not rely on a fixed form and scale; it can be replicated even in the most intimate scales.    

Sustainability 

Designed to be built entirely out of laminated strand-woven bamboo sections, we sought to create a structure that would disappear within its surroundings. The timber construction used for the project is also a proven modular building system that prioritizes long-term sustainability through the reuse and recycling of its core components; the environmental impact is thereby minimized, thus reducing waste and contributing to a circular economy.    

Experience 

A key concept for the central amenities is the ‘Power of 10+’, a placemaking tool suggesting that places thrive when users have a range of reasons to be there. To ensure human engagement, the spaces were deliberately programmed with a variety of features and functions, encouraging both individual and collective experiences; ensuring that there is something for everyone at any time. 

Montelago embodies the essence of what we yearn for when we look beyond our shores—a harmonious blend of community, nature, and purposeful design. It stands as a testament to what’s possible when we dare to reimagine our spaces, offering a verdant catalyst that not only enriches our daily lives but also inspires a future where such sanctuaries are the norm rather than the exception. Though this development is private, our aspiration is that its well-crafted design will inspire future similar developments in the public realm.