Hill House: A Symphony of Nature and Design in Nagcarlan, Laguna
In Hiligaynon, the word "Tauhai" evokes a state of relaxation, a profound tranquility—an apt description for Ponce Veridiano’s Hill House, nestled at the foot of Mount Banahaw in Nagcarlan, Laguna. Recently highlighted by Design Will Save The World, hosted by Jar Concengco, this home is a breathtaking collaboration between Architect Jason Buensalido, Chief Design Ambassador of Buensalido Architects, and landscaper Bobby Gopiao, with additional design finesse from Barchan Architecture & Design. Together, they’ve crafted a residence that doesn’t just sit on the land—it becomes one with it.
Ponce Veridiano, a landscape artist with 35 years of experience, has long captured nature’s essence on canvas, collaborating with architectural giants like Ed Ledesma, Conrad Onglao, and Leandro Locsi. His home, a decade-long endeavor, reflects that same reverence for the natural world. Positioned atop a hill—the property’s prime spot—it offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. Beside a gentle stream and enveloped by lush greenery, the house feels alive, with the stream’s soothing murmur flowing into Ponce’s studio, inspiring his brushstrokes with its quiet energy.
The design, spearheaded by Buensalido and Gopiao, is sensitive to its surroundings. A welcome pavilion crafted from Piedra China greets visitors, ushering them into a world of tropical gardens and thoughtful architecture. From the outside, the facade is understated—a large pivot gate clad in bamboo conceals the wonders within. Step through, and a striking stone hallway unfolds, framing views of the trees beyond. A dramatic staircase ascends to the living areas—a living space, dining area, and kitchen, connected by a playful path of leaf-shaped stones.
Built on a steep slope, the home’s stacked volumes harmonize with the terrain, while a row of shutters along the backside invites the sights and sounds of nature inside. The master suite, complete with an adjoining toilet and bath, relies on natural ventilation—though provisions for future air conditioning exist—underscoring the design’s eco-conscious ethos. Surrounded by Gopiao’s lush, tropical gardens, the house feels like an extension of the landscape itself.
This sanctuary also serves as Ponce’s gallery—Studio 88—where his artwork takes center stage. Stepping into this space, as described by Design Will Save The World, is like entering his world, where plants reign supreme and nature reclaims its place. The house doesn’t impose; it recedes, blending seamlessly with its environment—a testament to Buensalido’s vision of architecture that respects its context.
For Ponce, Hill House is more than a home—it’s a canvas where nature leads. The stream, the trees, the shutters letting in the breeze—all embody the Tauhai that defines this space. Though I haven’t visited myself, the story shared by Design Will Save The World paints a vivid picture of a home where architecture, landscape design, and art converge in harmony.
