This residence, known as the “View House,” features a white concrete façade enclosing a warm, inviting spatial core. Designed by Jim Caumeron Design, it is located in a densely parceled area of Quezon City, Philippines. The “L”-shaped plot necessitated an “L”-shaped layout to accommodate the owner’s request for a spacious 400 square meter home.
Due to the neighboring fence blocking views to the east and rear, the house faces limited sightlines. The west-facing façade receives ample sunlight but also faces the street entrance and a small park. Placing the living room on this side risks privacy concerns, as it would be exposed to passersby.
To address this, Jim Caumeron designed a large French window at one corner of the house that frames the park’s landscape. This “mother window” is situated above eye level, minimizing visibility into the living room from the street. When reclining inside, residents can gaze up to see the treetops beyond the window.
The entrance hall and staircase are positioned on the west side, featuring a narrow strip window that faces the street and park. Above this strip window is a wall with embedded sloped windows designed to let sunlight in while allowing rainwater to drain off. This wall serves to block excessive sunlight while promoting ventilation within the stairwell.
The rear of the house opens to a private, small open space serving the first-floor restaurant and guest rooms. Adjacent to the living room, the garage can be converted into an extended gathering area, illuminated by the matte glass square door leading from the living room. In the Philippines, religious festivals like Christian baptisms and family worship are common, and a spacious garage with room for a large dining table offers the ideal private setting for these family and close friend gatherings, preserving the privacy of the main living and dining areas.
On the second floor, windows are installed at both ends of the corridor to maximize natural light and cross ventilation. A door embedded within the corridor wall mirrors the window’s shape and viewing cutout. Behind this hidden space are storage and secret rooms. One of these doors leads to a library featuring custom dining tables, desk lamps, and bookshelves. While the space is fully air-conditioned, the architect made sure the French window along the corridor can still be opened for fresh air.
The library’s back wall features an arrangement of small, randomly placed windows, some manually operable. These custom wooden windows are framed with magnets ensuring secure closure. Viewed from the hallway, these small windows act as decorative curtains for the library interior. The corridor also houses family rooms, with a pocket-shaped glass door that fully retracts when air conditioning is active, creating additional space for the lobby area.
The interior décor on the second floor is guided by the owner’s collection of local hardwoods, reflected in the wood finishes throughout. The architect incorporated wooden veneers to add warmth and comfort. The geometric shapes seen on the exterior are echoed inside, influencing both ceiling designs and interior detailing.
The “Mother’s Window” also serves as a visual gateway for two interior windows: the second-floor family room and the master bedroom. Instead of a plain wall behind the master bedroom bed, the architect designed protruding window seats that overlook the living room, family room, and park. These shared views make the park’s corner tree the focal landscape for the home.
Design Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Window Detail Analysis
Project Information
Project Type: Independent Residential Building
Location: Quezon City, Philippines
Architect: Jim Caumeron Design
Area: 400 m²
Year: 2020
Photographer: Bien Alvarez
Manufacturers: Blanco, Catalano, Hafele, ABK Re-work, Boysen, Caesar Stone, Daaz, Durafix, Geotech Tiles, Gessi, Klaric, Lexton
Lead Architect: Jim Caumeron
Design Team: Jim Caumeron
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