Compact, efficient homes are the way to go
MANILA, Philippines - Compact and efficient homes are the way to go. These are green-conscious times where terms like “energy efficiency” and “carbon footprint” have become increasingly important to consumers. Seeing that outsized mansions have high electrical and water requirements for upkeep, more and more people recognize the advantages of living in smaller, well-organized spaces. They see that apart from doing their share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, living spaces sized just right are actually cheaper to maintain, leaving more savings or extra income to spend on luxuries.
Sofia Bellevue offers modern living spaces that are in tune with the needs of the times. From design to actual construction of the units, efficiency is a primary consideration for the developers. But the best part of it all is that the prices of the units are reasonable and comparatively attractive.
“For the same price (from other developers), you will get almost 50 percent more floor area with Sofia Bellevue,” confirms Phinma Property Holdings Corp. president and CEO Willie Joven Uy. At P42,000 to P45,000 as opposed to the low P60,000 to P70,000 for similar properties, the development merits close consideration as a residential alternative.
“Phinma has always been known as a very nationalistic company,” continues Uy. “We aren’t opportunistic, so we put a cap on profits and we’re not inclined to increase these. We sell cheap and get our investment back quickly.”
Construction efficiency is Phinma’s hallmark and Uy identifies Holcim Concrete as a vital partner in Phinma’s building business. “We depend on a reputable supplier for concrete. Holcim’s High Early Strength (HES) Concrete hardens in less than one day, unlike conventional concrete, which can take a week to harden. We can remove and reinstall forms within 24 hours.”
Apart from quick-drying concrete being especially vital during the rainy season, Holcim concrete uses finer materials so that it gives walls and floors a smoother finish.
By using a construction method called “box system,” Phinma Properties significantly cuts down on construction time and labor costs to keep the prices of their units low. “The box system is an unconventional system that eliminates the need for beams and columns,” explains Uy. “It uses less steel than conventional framing to achieve equal building strength.” The box system method distributes the structure’s load-bearing capacity throughout the floor area, making buildings safe even during earthquakes. In addition, walls are designed to carry loads so there is no need for columns, thereby increasing usable floor area.
Other than affordability, a major advantage of Phinma’s Sofia Bellevue would have to be its strategic location on Capitol Hills Drive, Quezon City. With easy access to major schools like the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University, the place is ideal for both owners who will occupy their homes and investors who plan to rent out their units. “We wanted to build in a marketable area,” says Uy, who observes that prospective buyers are now more conscious about property locations after typhoon Ondoy. “We always look at historical flood data and build above traditional flood levels.”
He notes that no Phinma projects were affected by the floods this year.
Sofia Bellevue consists of five buildings with modern amenities such as resident’s lounges, a function hall, coffee shop, fitness hub, swimming pool, basketball/ badminton courts and jogging path. The development is built on a 1.7-hectare lot area so that with 46 percent of the property designated as open area, residents expect to have enough breathing space. And although each seven-floor building is equipped with two elevators, fitness buffs with a penchant for exercise and green crusaders should get satisfaction out of climbing to their units.
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Sofia Bellevue is at 11 Capitol Hills Drive, Old Balara, Quezon City.
