MANILA, Philippines - Top real estate developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and premier Catholic school Miriam College (MC) have completed the first building in the MC Nuvali masterplan, in time for the start of the new school year.
The green, contemporary Filipino building at the new MC campus south of Metro Manila was designed by Dan Lichauco of Archion Architects. The first phase of the building covers 2.7 hectares, with emphasis on lush, landscaped grounds, spacious rooms, and energy efficient features.
“Ayala Land and Miriam College share the same philosophy. We want to work towards preserving the environment,†MC president Rosario Lapus said.
“The design is basically environmental and green, designed to capture the wind,†said Lichauco. The green design features forced ventilation to ensure cooler classrooms while a dry pond was constructed to help reduce flooding.
“The design incorporates the rich character and 87-year history of Miriam College, providing a positive presence in the thriving Nuvali community,†he added.
The new campus sits on a 15-hectare lot with a view of the Laguna de Bay within Nuvali, the largest self-sustainable, eco-friendly community in the country developed by ALI. The masterplan of the campus takes full advantage of the rolling terrain to provide magnificent views and interesting spaces. Every space, it should be noted, communes with nature, effortlessly creating an environment conducive for learning.
Like its Quezon City counterpart, MC Nuvali intends to develop a “school within a forest†with 60-40 ratio of open spaces to structures. “It has a new character but the same idea of permanence as the Quezon City campus,†Lichauco pointed out.
Miriam College brings to Nuvali the same K-12 readiness enjoyed in its Quezon City campus by offering Grade 7 (middle school) other than its other initial offerings such as preschool and lower school levels.
On top of the supporting facilities such as the cafeteria, library, and multi-purpose hall, nearing completion is a modern chapel with wood-glass-stone details and a choir loft that opens up to the music room.
For updates about Nuvali, visit www.nuvali.ph or www.facebook.com/Nuvaliofficial, and follow on Twitter @Nuvaliofficial.