High Class in a High Rise Setting
THE ESTATE MAKATI is a product of SMDC and Federal Land Inc.’s strategic partnership with award-winning architectural firm Foster + Partners
Rising to the challenge of building what Manila’s two property giants claim to be Ayala Avenue’s crowning jewel, Foster + Partners carefully studied the locale taking into consideration the area’s topography including the patterns of the sun and wind. Perry Ip, one of the project principals, says they oriented the edifice in such a way that it minimizes exposure to the sun’s rays. Hence, a building “literally shaped by the sun.” “As the sun in the Philippines is quite strong, we designed the windows to be angled a certain way so that it doesn’t spill into the unit but still provides enough light—without compromising the breathtaking views of the Makati skyline,” said Luke Fox, Head of Studio and Senior Executive Partner, who is leading the project.
Further enhancing the desired effect, double-glazed windows reduce heat flow and prevent external noise from penetrating the building façade. The cross-shaped building has four wings extending from its core creating highly coveted corner units. And with a façade overhang of approximately one meter extending from the structure between floors, the building can effectively provide its own shade. The overall effect is not only beneficial to the homeowner in providing a cooling system, but also to the planet through its sustainable and energy-conserving features.
A total of 188 residential units are housed in its 53 floors, with 151 sq.m. two-bedroom flats and multi-level 763
sq.m super penthouse suites. What makes each unit at The Estate Makati modern, innovative, and fascinating is the double-slab technology that conceals utilities, plumbing, and electrical systems between slabs of concrete, making each unit highly customizable—a much-desired feature by the modern homeowner. Another highlight is the concept of an “inhabited façade,” a specially designed three-dimensional space constructed out of doubleglazed glass and a stain-resistant shell of GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) which residents can utilize in whatever purpose they desire as privacy is not an issue. These inhabited facades have been skewed by more than 10 degrees, making them face away from your neighbors. With the building’s thoughtful orientation, views from either side of the building are phenomenal, even from the lower floors. On the uppermost levels, the nearly 270-degree views of the city are simply breathtaking.
Amenities include spacious elevators, big enough to accommodate a horizontally-oriented stretcher in the event of a medical emergency in addition to a helipad that can be employed to take residents to the nearest hospitals. The parking facility is also advanced with electric vehicle charging capabilities and a charging point provision for each unit owner. The staff also provides exceptional service, taking care of tasks such as receiving residents’ food and mail parcel deliveries and accommodating requests that include housekeeping, catering, and laundry needs.