State-of-the-art living spaces open in Alabang

Now ready for occupancy, Botanika Nature Residences, a masterplanned upscale condominium complex by luxury real estate brand Filigree, is for the few. It co-exists with its environs, providing residents a home where they can enjoy luxurious, closeto-nature living, similar to that of an oasis at the heart of the metropolis.

Integrating outdoor and indoor spaces, the interiors of Botanika are just as luxe and opulent as the open amenity areas. Residents’ own spaces are no less lavish with roomy, larger-than-usual condominium units cut into two-bedroom suites, threebedroom flats, three-bedroom garden bi-level units, five-bedroom garden bilevel units, and grand penthouse units ranging from 123 sqm to 343 sqm.

Add to the generous living spaces are the indoor amenity areas such as the main lobby, business center, kids indoor play area and the mock-up unit interior designed by Isabelle Miaja of Miaja Design Group. Of Spanish and French descent and based in Singapore, US-trained Miaja draws from her DNA which fuses a number of cultures.

The tastefully-designed tower one common areas, which serve as the extension of the residents’ private suites, are furnished and fitted, draped and adorned with elegant pieces.

“When we design, we build every project around a storyline that is connected to the place, the people, and its art, the whole cultural background,” Miaja said.

Thus, she roamed around and shopped for antiques in Manila and Pampanga, among other cities, taking in as much as she could.

The main lobby breathes a fusion of local and modern, of Filipino folk elements and the contemporary, as envisioned by Miaja.

An organic theme strikes in when one enters the lobby — a vertical wall with flora-inspired covering and orchid metal sculptures accentuated by warm lights.

A carpet covers a portion of the lounge area that provides a vibrant touch in contrast to the ivory floor, while minimalist furniture played up with bright cushion, warm pendant lights, a green wall and a landscaped wall art make up for a welcome fit for a five-star hotel.

Just a few steps and it opens up into the lush atrium, pleasing the eyes with the view of the building structure with open space at its core — lit by natural lighting coming from the glass sunroof by day and warm hallways radiant with bollard lights accentuating the landscaping and the water feature at night.

Residents also have a bird’s eye view of the atrium as they go up the scenic elevators designed with timber paneled interiors continuing the organic theme, where they can appreciate the architecture.

Coming up to the mock-up unit, also interior designed by Miaja, on the fifth floor of tower one will be an experience.

The unit evokes warmth and awe, greeting clients with the centerpiece — a handcrafted dining table base that is a mosaic of small wood chips and Filipino carvings and encrusted with crystals.

“The table has a steel base where we added pieces of wood one by one to construct. It took many tries to get the right form and look. Broken chunks of crystal were inserted to give sparkle inside. But the dining table is not chunky or heavy, and because of the glass top it looks like it is alive and flexing its legs,” said Miaja.

Aside from the elaborate dining table, Miaja designed an organic-shaped mirror using local virinia-inspired glass. Botanika is organic and oriental, but its elements are awash with a warm and western feel.

Nature is simple as it is complex. Botanika Nature Residences similarly shares a contradiction.

“With Botanika, there is also a city feel in another sense because the structure is sharp and crisp. But, organic and beautiful classic lines are also combined here,” she said.

The fusion of the natural and the contemporary is also reflected in other common indoor areas.

The kids’ play room has colorful storage solutions for toys, vibrant area rugs and hip furnishings stitching up a modern indoor recreational concept for play and study areas.

Meanwhile, the business center with a meeting room, furnished with modern furniture selection, is a place for assemblies or just when residents want to catch up with some literary classics.

Other shared outdoor amenities include the outdoor play area with treehouse, the al fresco atrium deck and the tiered infinity kiddie and lap pools.

With all these amenities, Botanika offers residents the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing environment in their own vertical home, affording them a vacation, a staycation or a day in the park in their own residential development.