RBA House
What defines a private space?
The RBA House reimagines domestic life as an interplay between natural and built environments, using a modular, parametric design that dissolves the conventional boundary between inside and outside. Conceived as a home that fosters regenerative health, the design prioritizes the courtyard as the central organizing element, treating the garden not as an afterthought but as the primary living space.
Location
Manila, Philippines
Research Areas Regenerative Health
Typology Housing
Size
Small
Status Complete
Project Team Carlos ArnaizMelissa BauldLaura del Pino
We consider each project on its own terms and develop tailored responses. Learn about our vision and mission.
In contrast to the neighborhood’s typical scheme—where houses sit enclosed within a garden perimeter—RBA House flips this paradigm. Here, a distributive network of living, dining, and sleeping areas forms a ring of program that frames and opens onto the verdant courtyard. This arrangement maximizes access to daylight, air, and views of greenery from every corner of the home, creating a restorative living environment.
The material palette balances raw and manufactured elements—wood, steel, and glass—expressing the tension and harmony between nature and construction. Vaulted ceilings heighten the sense of openness and continuity, while operable walls and glass expanses extend communal areas directly into the garden.
Our approach is strategically driven and informed. Click here to learn about our process.
With its focus on well-being, adaptability, and spatial efficiency, the RBA House exemplifies a regenerative, modular approach to private living that is deeply attuned to its ecological and cultural context.