Being ‘green’ is the mantra of the month for developers, architects and corporations. Everywhere you look everyone claims to be green, sustainable or environment friendly. How much of this is hype and how many of the projects that carry the ‘green’ directive through to actual implementation and resulting product—building, interiors, landscape or urban design? In this issue we find out what Philippine design’s true colors are with features that cover gardens, furniture, roofs, public spaces, a car showroom and an association dedicated to being ‘green’ forever.

What’s inside

Saranggani Highlands, a quaint tourist destination just outside of General Santos City, an example of owner-designed settings that take advantage of green (and blue) views.

A furniture design showcase of Amerigo de la Paz, he creates one-of-a-kind pieces from ‘recovered’ or recycled wood.

Travel and Heritage – A feature on the vernacular houses of Batanes, also the high-value green design of Bobby Mañosa, as interviewed by Dean Gloria Teodoro of MIT.

A commentary by Dom Galicia on heritage houses in Hacienda Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan to present the directions the owner and architects of the project took that raises issues on heritage.

Main Projects section - Feature stories on the green roofs in the SM North’s Sky Garden, Gerry Contreras’ Makati high-rise paradise and a technology feature on how these elevated gardens are designed and built. For in-ground green, a look into the interior gardens and the architecture of the futuristic Lexus showroom at Bonifacio Global City and the exterior gardens of the newly re-imagined Pasig City Hall Complex.

The cover story, an 8-page feature on NUVALI, a 1,700 hectare development located south of Makati, spanning the cities of Sta. Rosa and Calamba, the promise and reality of Ayala Land’s first eco-community.

Alliances section - A sit down interview with Dickie Altavas, president of the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects, who outlines PALA's activities for 2009.