In episode 152 of ARCAT’s Detailed podcast, host Cherise Lakeside sits down with Carlos Arnaiz, the founder and Principal of the Brooklyn-based architecture firm CAZA, to unpack the ambitious vision behind The Shore-Side at Nawin. Set against the rugged cliffs of Nasugbu Bay in Batangas, Philippines, this massive landscape and urban development project is designed to completely redefine the relationship between land and sea. During the interview, Arnaiz details how the CAZA team approached transforming a formerly industrial shoreline into a dynamic, contemporary port town. The conversation highlights the complexities of cliffside development, showcasing an architectural approach that is deeply rooted in both the region’s dramatic topography and its coastal traditions, seamlessly weaving hospitality, culture, and coastal ecology into a highly walkable, layered environment.
The feature heavily explores the specific programmatic and design elements that make the Nawin Marina such a transformative endeavor. Drawing inspiration from historic harbor precedents ranging from Antigua to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Arnaiz explains how the master plan integrates a diverse mix of building typologies, facades, and natural materials across a heavily sloped platform. At the project’s heart is Marina Town, a bustling hub combining residential villas, hillside residences, and commercial spaces anchored by a striking yacht club composed of five pyramidal volumes. The discussion also highlights the project’s playful Waterfront Pavilions—arranged like an orchestra of water lilies—which provide shaded promenades and public gathering spaces, ultimately reviving the bay as a vibrant and beloved waterfront destination.
