WRAPPED around the hill with an expansive view of the Cagayan de Oro City and Macajalar Bay, the clubhouse is a complex composed of pavilions linked by walkways.

Designed with the intent of reflecting the architectural theme of the village which is termed “Organic tropical”, the clubhouse structure started with the inspiration from the designs of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. With the swimming pool, the sports facilities, and the landscaping, it aimed to relate organically to its natural setting.

Organic architecture is defined as a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated with its site that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of a unified, interrelated composition.

“We wanted the structures to appear to be hugging or wrapped around the prominent hill. They would seem to organically grow out from the ground rather than being unnaturally placed on top of it,” architect Jonas Suan of Ayala Land-Vismin’s Innovation and Design Group explained.

Tropical features were considered in the design. Elements such as broad eaves and large openings among others make the clubhouse responsive to the local climate. Local Mangima stones were used as façade accents. Indigenous flora was also considered in the landscape design.

“We tried to present the materials as true to its nature as much as possible which is what we believe an important character of organic architecture,” Suan added. To maximize the natural setting of Alegria Hills, the views both from within and towards the complex were studied. Even the experience as one approaches the clubhouse was considered. Elements such as the pool deck, the balconies, and the vertical accent wall at the entrance were positioned to achieve optimum effect.

Open spaces and skylights were used to maximize natural lighting and ventilation in keeping with sustainable design. The structure was built along proper sun and wind orientation, following the contours of the land and corresponding with the natural rolling terrain.

Perhaps the most prominent feature of the clubhouse is the 25-meter infinity pool with an expansive view of the bustling city. Beside it is a kiddie pool where children can safely swim.

The clubhouse also features a multipurpose hall, a function room where residents and their guests can have parties and gatherings close to home. A fitness gym is also located underneath the social hall where residents can work out to complement their active lifestyle.

The sports facilities area features a basketball court and a covered badminton court for sports enthusiasts.

“Attention will definitely be given to enabling residents to appreciate and connect with nature, a tenet espoused by organic architecture. There will be canyon trails and parks, gardens and orchards, places where residents can be themselves, and yet be one with creation,” architectural consultant Marcos de Guzman, Jr. said.

The clubhouse is the second facility to be completed in Alegria Hills. The chapel in the grove was completed in March of 2009 which was marked with the celebration of a mass. The chapel has since become an ideal place for prayer and meditation in the midst of Alegria Hills’ scenic environment.

Master planned by Ayala Land, Alegria Hills shall offer a higher level of comfort, serenity and security that only an Ayala Land Premier community can provide to assure residents of quality, commitment and enduring value, a sure reward for their success.

About Alegria Hills

Alegria Hills, following the Spanish word “Alegria” which means joy and merriment, is Ayala Land’s first residential offering in Mindanao.

An exclusive residential community carrying the distinction of Ayala Land Premier, Alegria Hills is set amidst a prime location on a highland plateau of Cagayan de Oro that boasts of 360° view of the city, Macajalar Bay and the mountains.

Inspired by organic tropical architecture, the masterplan provides scenic roads to traverse, canyon trails, ravine pocket parks and orchards to explore. There will be a clubhouse and other perks but at the center of all these shall be a chapel in a tree grove, an oasis of the community’s shared dreams and values.

A mere 10 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro’s Limketkai Center and major business district, Alegria Hills offers a home high above the ordinary world that is secure, serene, nurturing and inspiring.

For inquiries please contact [email protected] or call at +63 9063721666.

from Business Week Mindanao


 
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Property business in this city has bounced back after experiencing slow-moving inventories two years ago. Alegria Hills, Ayala Land, Inc.’s first residential project in Northern Mindanao, is now 64% sold, with major facilities of the subdivision already completed.

Medium-rise residential structures are also being constructed in various parts of the city, even as shopping malls are expanding in response to increasing consumer expenditures. The situation is in stark contrast to that of two years ago when the global economic crisis halted property development in the region.

Upscale projects were almost at a standstill back then until the industries started their recovery last year. Revenues in 2009 for Ayala Land Visayas-Mindanao operations went up 53% due to sales from Alegria Hills as well as Plantazionne Verdana Homes in Talisay City in Cebu.

“We are embarking on a significant geographic and product expansion and we continue to evaluate prospects in many growth centers across the country, including Mindanao,” said Alfonso D. Reyes, spokesperson of Ayala Land, Inc.

The biggest project of Ayala Land in Mindanao, so far, is the Abreeza Complex, a 10-hectare joint venture with Antonio Floirendo Group in Davao City. The complex’s 2.9-hectare shopping mall is set to open six months from now.

Early this year, reports of an Ayala Mall to be constructed in this city also came out. City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano announced in his radio program the signing of a joint venture similar to Davao’s Abreeza project between Ayala Land, and the Floirendo family, which owns the prime land along this city’s C.M. Recto Avenue, near the region’s two biggest shopping malls.

Outside of Ayala’s upscale projects, Cagayan de Oro is also host to other property developments that started last year. Primavera Residences, a project of ItalPinas Euro-Asian Design and Eco-Development Corp., is the first green building in the city, a 10-floor structure offering clean energy residential spaces.

Granvia Square, a condominium-hotel project of Johndorf Ventures Corp., is also being constructed at this city’s Pueblo de Oro area.

There are also talks on the establishment of a new hotel in the city after the Crown Regency Group acquired a property in Carmen district. Similarly, consumers in this city, and nearby provinces are expecting more shops to open by next year.

City officials have announced the expansion plans of the Gaisano Group, adding to the five retail establishments it currently operates in the city. The top shopping destination, however, remains the Lim Ket Kai Center, which houses a shopping complex of over 100,000 square meters also hosting the city’s Robinson’s outlets.

The Ororama chain still has two shopping malls — one in Cogon district near the public market and another in Carmen.

SM Prime has the SM City Cagayan de Oro at Pueblo de Oro, and the new Save More shop in Agora district.

article by Louise G. Dumas of BusinessWorld