This Airbnb Built Like a Sculpture Will Add Style to Your Next Batangas Holiday

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(SPOT.ph) Not too far from the city center of Batangas City—only 4 kilometers in fact—stands a Neo-Brutalist home rental named Casa Borbon. Cubic volumes made of M2 panels and mortar form an intriguing structure on a sloping hill. Its architect Amon Cali of Cali Architects designed it to look like a “living rock” and is meant to blend into its surroundings.

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Here's a look inside Casa Borbon

“My style is Neo-Brutalist. It’s raw and textured. Clean lines. We try to integrate the concept with wabi sabi where we put emphasis on the beauty of the flaws of the design. We try to blend our architecture with the environment,” says Cali.

Built as a staycation home for an overseas Filipino working family and doubles as an Airbnb when not in use, the home piques the interest of passersby. It’s a conservative facade that doesn’t reveal too much. With a 190 square meter footprint, Casa Borbon is able to fit a small pool, three bedrooms, 2 and a half bath, and a modest kitchen. The home is furnished with custom furniture with some camping furniture and equipment in the mix.

Although Casa Borbon has been a dream for its owner Ryan Borbon and his family for more than 10 years now, it took the pandemic to have them commit to building it. “The pandemic has really changed everyone's lifestyle and priorities. During that time, we were talking about having a house built on one of our vacant lots. We started searching for house designs in the net and was very much inspired by a house in Tulum, Mexico. With social media, we came to see Cali Architects and his designs matched our preference. We were impressed with the uniqueness of his works and his courage on exploring innovative materials in construction,” Borbon says.

The architect believes Brutalist structures does well in our tropical climate. “Brutalism works in our climate through the use of the cantilever and the overhangs that cast a deep shadow. We keep the direct, harsh sunlight out. The walls are so textured that it goes well with the tropical landscape of our country,” Cali says. As vines hang from the roof or out the window openings onto the concrete walls, this can be attested as the structure starts to look one with its surrounds.

As you enter the door into Casa Borbon, you’ll notice the sunken living area with the view of the pool outside. The dining area is composed of a black wooden dining table that sits six comfortably. There’s a laid back, Bali resort feel to the interiors with a pleasant lived-in feel. The bedrooms are minimally decorated and all feature a unique view of the mountains afar or the pool.

“We wanted a serene ambiance that would be great for relaxation and intimate moments. Because of the rawness of the area, we told him to take advantage of the view of the mountains and surrounding trees through the windows in each room,” Borbon shares.

Two groups at once

Casa Borbon’s entrance to the second floor is accessed from the outside through the sculptural staircase and because of this it can accommodate two groups simultaneously. While the first floor’s bedroom can open up directly to the pool, the second floor features a balcony that doubles as an open living area and kitchenette. “I love the balcony on the second floor. It’s a space of seamless transition from indoor to outdoor space. You’re protected from the elements but at the same time you can drift away immersed with the nature,” Cali describes.

There’s also a spiral staircase that leads you to the roof deck where guests can watch the sun set using the camping equipment that can fold away when not in use. “We have accumulated camping gears and stuff that will not fit in the storage space of our main house. We brought some items in the Casa which our guests can use or can be inspired from. Camping equipment nowadays are very aesthetic and functional,” says Borbon.

When asked how he wanted people to feel when people see his architecture, Cali responds, “I want people to feel a certain emotional impact, a sense of intrigue. One of the things that we wanted was from the outside we wanted it to be conservative. We have a sense of privacy. Once you enter, it just opens up to the amenities.”

Casa Borbon is at P3HJ+R9, Batangas City. Rates start at P18,445 per night, minimum of two nights booked, for a maximum of 8 guests. Book this property on Airbnb. For more information, visit Casa Borbon's Facebook page.

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