Square: The new shape of condo living

MANILA, Philippines -  We’re all familiar with the standard condominium layout: a long three-meter-wide hall, bathroom to the side of the entrance, kitchen, living area, then maybe a bedroom. At the end of the “tunnel,” there’s a small window to let in some light. The result is a dark, cramped area with hardly enough space to move left and right.

An Anuva home, SOC Land’s groundbreaking project, seeks to give its residents generous living spaces. Unlike conventional condominium units, Anuva homes feature a wide design that opens up the room’s layout so you have more space for bigger, brighter windows, larger halls, more spacious kitchens and living rooms. It feels like living in a house, not in a box.

This ample living space is the design of masterplanner and multi-awarded architect Nestor S. Mangio and his team.

“Usually, you would have something like a three-meter-wide room moving narrowly forward towards a window at the end,” said Brian John P. Mangio, managing partner of Nestor S. Mangio and Associates. He explained that this layout was popular among developers because it maximizes the sellable area in a floor and does not result in too much unsellable hallway space. “But Anuva wanted to create value for money — the company wanted something that would advertise itself.”

Mangio and Associates designed resident-friendly condominium units: They wanted something that gave more space left and right. They wanted bigger windows. They wanted a wide space rather than a long space — something similar to a single detached unit than a conventional condo.

Great view from inside: Anuva’s two-bedroom layout affords windows for both the living room and the master’s bedroom

The result was what they call the “square” design.   In a square designed room, the kitchen is no longer compressed with the dining room; there is an actual hallway between the two. A side benefit of this design is that the kitchen’s hall functions as part of the living room as well, so the space ends up even roomier.

In an Anuva home, you get a clear view of the living room — and the big window at the end. “With this layout, instead of a 1.4-meter window, you get a 2.5 -meter one,” enthused Mangio. “It gives you a better view of the outside world, and it lets in more natural light as well.”

It’s like having a famous, award-winning architect come into your home and design it for you.

Roomy and fun: The roomy one-bedroom unit is cozily designed for the young couples.

The studio unit is modern, sleek, and easy to maintain — perfect for the ambitious yuppie that will be resting there. The one-bedroom unit is designed for couples. It’s a cozy room with a romantic air. Finally, the two-bedroom unit is for the couple with children. It looks lived in, but not crowded. It’s very kid friendly.

Anuva made sure that every single unit has its own laundry room, to make clothes-washing convenient for its residents.

For information, call 553-4070 or 553-4080, or visit www.anuva.com.ph.