Sonria aims to be Gem of the South

GeoEstates Alabang Project

Boutique developer GeoEstate Development Corp. puts huge emphasis on the importance of a well-designed landscaping. During the planning stages of Sonria, its latest foray into Alabang housing, GeoEstates senior management team put much thought into the projects landscape design.

The advantage of working in a smaller firm is that we can afford to be meticulous with every aspect of our project so that we can come up with an entirely distinctive offering, explained president and COO Miriam Katigbak.

This obsession for details is evident in Katigbaks vision for Sonria, which is a modern enclave that retains the character of the Alabang suburb. Because its prospective buyers belong to that sophisticated market that advocates appearances and green space, GeoEstate teamed up with a design firm with capabilities to make that goal tangible.

Crearis Environmental Design, the landscape architectural agency tapped for Sonria, integrated concepts that are modern yet, sympathetic to the environment.

The design we will implement is more sensitive to the land. For instance, instead of cutting down full-grown trees within the property, the hardscape intends to accommodate those trees, Crearis managing director Michael Espiritu said.

Sustainable practices will be the focal point in Sonrias landscape design. A storm water retention system will be erected to prevent flooding and erosion caused by heavy rains. The terrain where the property sits was also considered during the planning process.

For its softscape features, indigenous plants that are compatible with Alabangs soil quality and Philippine weather will be used.

Despite its eco-friendly undertones, the aesthetic merits of the scheme cannot be overlooked. Katigbak revealed that the projects landscape design was carefully planned to blend seamlessly with the blueprint of the entire project.

The faade below will showcase a shrub-lined driveway that ends at a veranda drop-off, instead of the customary canopied entrance. The veranda is a perfect convergence point for friends and neighbors as it provides a great view of the garden and reflecting pool with fountain.

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Sonria aims to be Gem of the South