Zen Homes in South Forbes

We Filipinos are more familiar with grandiose design, simply because of our generally outgoing personalities. We love flaunting mementos from abroad in our living rooms. Be it a Thai dancer, a replica of the Eiffel Tower, or the Statue of Liberty, it surely finds its way on a divider or desk. We also proudly display tokens given by relatives and friends in conspicuous areas of our homes. We just can’t help it, do we?

But if you get to reside in a landmark project that promotes beauty not through a clutter of objects, but through simplicity and minimalism, then your view of design will have to make a radical shift. Those travel mementos and tokens simply have to give way — not to be displayed! And it can happen once you get to check out the Modern Zen residences at South Forbes Golf City’s Tokyo Mansions in Metro Sta. Rosa.

"Tokyo Mansions was inspired by both traditional and modern elements of Japanese design. Simple architecture and minimalist interiors blend together to create the beauty of perfect harmony. This is a first in the Philippines, and I’m proud that our Zen residences concept has been warmly received by aspiring homeowners and property investors," related Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng.

Two luxurious homes will demonstrate the beauty of simplicity at Tokyo Mansions. The Meiji mansion will rise at a corner lot facing the Tokyo Mansions Clubhouse. This inverted L-shaped mansion features a strikingly simple yet elegant design from the outside. Roof shingles and wooden rafters on the underside of the roof give it a Zen character, while tall bamboos lined up across the living room mimic the poetry of a Japanese garden.

The Yamato mansion is the epitome of simplicity. All you see from the outside are a gracefully curving roof and two blank white walls separated by a wooden door. Its true beauty lies inside. Once the door opens, the first thing you will likely notice is the statement made by the clerestory window. Rising to 20 feet, it provides natural lighting in the living room throughout the day, and gives an unobscured view of the sky night and day.

The Yamato’s layout is very simple but highly functional, starting with the living room at the center. The service quarters are to the right, while the bedrooms and guest room are to the left. Beyond the living room are a lanai and an infinity pool, both of which are good vantage points to observe a creek and a virgin forest on the horizon. A rock garden beside the pool is the perfect place for the true Zen activity of meditation.

The interiors of both homes borrow heavily from Tokyo’s stature as the fashion capital of Asia while maintaining the Zen mantras of simplicity and minimalism, according to top Interior designers Ivy and Cynthia Almario. A Minotti-style white sofa at Meiji contrasts against the white walls and dark wood frames of the floor-to-ceiling windows. A suspended plasma TV doubles as a divider at the master’s bedroom, which also features an ultra luxurious Jacuzzi.

The Yamato’s interiors are just as trendy. Croissant sofas inspired by the collection of Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue will surely make a statement at the living quarters. The master’s bedroom’s features a Zen bed with oversized lamps that double as accent pieces for the headboard.

Perhaps, the most simple but beautiful structure at Tokyo Mansions is the Clubhouse. Residents and guests drive through a concentric circular formation with a fountain at the center. Two blank walls with bamboo landscaping are the first simple elements on view. Once one enters, the grand design becomes apparent.

Two similar structures separated by a foyer create a sense of balance. A three-level infinity pool offers residents and their guests a chance to relax, while a four-storey viewing deck allows one a chance to commune with nature. To the right will rise a Japanese Garden, with bamboo landscaping, concentric rock formations, and artistic water features that will make you feel like you’re on the set of Memoirs of a Geisha.

A simple but rewarding bonus awaits Tokyo Mansions residents: a free membership to the world-class 18-hole South Forbes Golf Club. It will also be your family’s passport to golf, tennis, and other leisure activities worldwide through the exclusive golf club of IMG SportsClub.

With its simple architecture and minimalist designs, Tokyo Mansions definitely offers a rewarding, spiritual experience for the entire family. Isn’t it high time to make a shift in your home design mindset? To get more information, call 635-7777 or 631-8855 or visit www.southforbes.com.