Anvaya Cove, only Asian nominee for HD sustainability award

http://businessmirror.com.ph
Wednesday, 16 September 2009 20:39

ONE of the Philippines’ prized stretches of virgin coast lies on the northern tip of Manila, in Bataan—a lush sprawl of thick greens, cobalt waters, fine sand and sloping terrains.

“When we started planning Anvaya, we knew we were working with a special piece of land in a unique, lush and delicate natural setting.

From the beginning, there was already a great sense of responsibility to deliver a project that would not only preserve the natural surroundings, but enhance it by building a vibrant seaside community for families to enjoy. From its inception, respect for and sensitivity to the environment have been ingrained into the vision for Anvaya Cove,” shares Bobby Dy, Ayala Land Premier’s senior vice president and head of Residential Business Group.

At first glance, Anvaya Cove already exemplifies the ideal confluence of luxe elegance and environmental respect. However, it takes grassroots know-how and a sincere reverence for the concept of sustainability to be successful at such a scale—and Ayala Land Premier has mastered the art of green real-estate master-planning. As a testament to their commitment to members, residents and the environment, the resort community recently celebrated their nomination as a finalist for the HD Magazine award, under the Green and Sustainable Category.

“The design and planning of Anvaya Cove followed sustainable principles in order to create an eco-resort like residential development that was within easy reach of Manila,” says senior architect for Anvaya Cove Manny Illana. “At the onset of this project, the development team agreed that emphasis needed to be placed on protecting and enhancing the physical attributes and habitats of the site. This meant designing roadways that curved around to avoid mature trees, choosing lighting fixtures that would not disorient pawikan as they came home to Anvaya Cove to nest, and creating amenities like the Nature Camp that would be a venue for interacting with nature as well as promote conservation.”

As one of the most coveted recognitions in real-estate development, Anvaya Cove is the only Asian entry recognized by the prestigious HD Magazine award, allowing the development to join the ranks of an elite group of internationally renowned properties like the Auberge Chain in California, Mandarin Oriental Riveria Maya and The Venetian Macau.

The sublime beauty of Anvaya Cove exemplifies the seamless coexistence between the intrinsic allure of nature and the comfort of having access to lifestyle options, anchored on eco-sustainability. And to underscore these essential features, guests were treated to a fashion show featuring exclusively designed pieces from Jun Escario, Randy Ortiz, Arleen Sipat and Martin Bautista that highlighted the different sustainable features inherent to the development.

These included the use of locally available materials, employing passive solar-energy features, efficient lighting designs, generous setbacks and open spaces between homes, and building footprints limited only to 35 percent of the total lot area to ensure that the environmental and aesthetic benefits of natural greens are preserved and appreciated.

“These features are, of course, present in the eco-resort’s most recent additions: Anvaya Cove’s Seascape Ridge, which dedicates 85 percent of the entire are to open space to ensure a sprawling, airy tropical ambiance and a low-impact development, as the well as The Vistas at Mango Grove, which was designed to offer unparalleled privacy for its future residents,” asserts Illana.

Notably, the development, in its commitment to follow through on its long-term sustainability goals, has banded together to create the Anvaya Environmental Foundation Inc.