The Pavilions El Nido Palawan Island, a project of the El Nido Beach Resort and Spa has carefully handpicked the best to work with them on building this luxury 5-star resort in the Philippines’ world-class destination that is currently in its build phase.
Here is a Q & A with our Architectural Head, Arch. David de Jesus Cabigao from KDAS Architectural-Interior Design Services, the resort’s architectural firm.
KDAS Architectural Firm Team
Their team delivers a wide range of Architectural Design and planning, design, innovations and building solutions. Addressing the latest Building Design and Innovation trend, KDAS provides Building Information Modeling (BIM) ready Architectural Drawings as a standard platform that promotes a well-coordinated and intelligent sharing of information to minimize eminent alterations during construction stage. They have experience in both the Philippines and Singapore on multiple building typology either residential, mixed-use residential complex/master-planning, hospitality design (boutique to luxury), medium to high-rise development, institutional and commercial development.
Head Architect’s Profile
Arch. David graduated as a scholar from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Intramuros, Manila with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture S.Y.2001-2006, awarded as the Most Outstanding College Student in 2006, and received a Certificate of Achievement – Management for Competitive Edge 2015 at the International College of Management, Sydney, Australia. He has also worked with his team on several high-end projects globally.
Quality First
Q: How difficult is it to work on a 5-star project which is a franchise of a global brand that is has a well-established name and known worldwide in the luxury hospitality business?
Arch. Dave: “We follow five-star hospitality guidelines with The Pavilions Brand; thus, QUALITY is never compromised. A pool of experienced professionals were gathered to redefine the standard architectural, interior and engineering design solutions with the latest technological advancements; careful selection of eco-friendly and sustainable materials/equipment; and thorough planning and careful execution on the project site.
The Term “quality” is expressed with conglomerated substantial factors to determine what this entire development is composed of.
Construction Challenges
Q: How is it working on an island development with structures exposed to high temperature and salt water? Tell us more about it.
Arch. Dave: Given extremely challenging geographical characteristics of the site (both rolling terrains and overwater construction), our structural supports are very unusual, starting from the foundation footing interconnected with extra ground beams to mitigate both anticipated lateral and vertical earth movements to secure the villas to be well intact.
The roof framing was based on a 244kph wind load capacity in compliance with the latest Local Code for Preventive Measures in the country and designed in such a way that it can deflect nominal to harsh wind draft from any possible directions even if the locale is seldom visited by devastating typhoons. These framings were strategically pre-fabricated off site and brought in only for installation in order to gain more Quality of Manpower utilization and efficiency.
Unique Island Project
Q: What unique materials or designs did you choose for this particular development?
The chosen roofing material – Stone Coated Metal Shingles was particularly selected to address both high quality and a lot more durable alternatives over traditional asphalt shingles while eliminating a couple of other support preparatory underlaying materials from the traditional method of installation. This in fact lessens a couple of maintainable underlays that are common to deterioration when close to a salty body of water or any harsh environment.
Talking about fabrication of concrete pre-cast piles and other structural members, one of the most cost and time efficient strategy that we all have been working out to build not just our boardwalk’s piles but also to modularize the system of constructing our Overwater Villas in order to prevent damages to our sea bed and the existing natural organisms, also in compliance with all government guidelines.
Q: What is Green Sukabumi Stone and those natural grey slate boulders?
Arch. Dave: The use of Green Sukabumi Stone for our main pool wall and floor finishes evokes a sense of luxury. It is a great option for outdoor use because of its durability, thermal stability and non-slip properties. One of the benefits for using Green Sukabumi Stone is its distinctive mineral component named Zeolite, which does an incredible task of removing ammonia in the water and if excessive is Harmful to our Body. Moreover, its high quality also comes from a careful mining process in Indonesia, and product distribution is done with care to ensure some of its most prominent characteristics mentioned earlier are preserved.
The site also has its hidden gem! Those natural grey slate boulders from site excavation debris are not just huge pieces of dark rock but a completely elegant natural recipe that envelops our mountain villas, other facilities and some drop-off pavements. Instead of getting these stones from quarries, the builders will just repurpose those fallen rock debris from the site and represent its beauty in our structures.
Sustainability–Conscientious Development
Q: What measures have you done to balance progress and care for the environment?
Arch. Dave: Reducing Operational Carbon Footprint. Smart Tools and Equipment are readily available in the market with never-ending improvement in its goal to eliminate Carbon Footprint soon. Basic to our Development, will use all LED lighting fixtures and inverter-type equipment such as ceiling fans and air conditioning system. In addition to save energy is the placement of “Automatic Air Con Shut-off Sensors” that will be integrated to all Pool Side Door access and linked up to our RFID-Key Card Electrical Control System. With this, we can save on power consumption and at the same time, minimize the Carbon Footprint of our project.
Technology in Luxury Hospitality
Q: What new technology are you introducing to this project?
Arch. Dave: This is one of our latest favorites …how about calling a butler with your fingertips? Many of us from all ages) are not foreign to using mobile devices in finding/looking for everything we need on a daily basis. Simple, fast response, immediate action. Who doesn’t want that? We are exploring together with some Auxiliary and ICT Specialist all these possibilities to be readily available to guests. A simple mobile device available in each accommodation unit can bridge the communication gap through the latest “F&B Offers”, “Outdoor Activities”, “Daily Special Events”; or just simply “Call a Butler For Assistance”. This device can be integrated to your in-room media devices and controlled/updated from the Resort’s Main Office Communication System which is distributed to all other resort facilities involved.
Procurement Management
Q: What type of policy do you use in your procurement process?
Arch Dave : Establishing the Procurement process is an exquisite task. “Efficiency and Quality over Cost” is the standard rule. But this ruling doesn’t stop after every package awarding; it’s a continuous (QA-QC) Quality Assurance and Quality Control; from shop drawing approvals to actual production, pre-delivery quality control, even up to post-soft opening. After-sales services from our industry partners and sub-contractors play a huge part in securing a spot for them to be considered in this luxurious development. Local talents and players are welcome to express their Export and International quality products and services as we can also showcase their ingenuity in our motherland.
february 2022 development update
A lot has been achieved in the development and construction of The Pavilions El NIdo, Palawan Island in 2021 including assisting with the relief operation and efforts for the typhoon victims, gaining quality assurance through environment clearance, successful installation of Geocell along the access road, permaculture layout for synergistic farming, progressive completion of mock-up villas, selling out Phase 1 of the project including all overwater villas and awarding project management to worlds largest real estate firm, CBRE Philippines.
As we look into 2022 and prepare for 2023 opening, we’re excited for the completion of the farm and nursery, further installation of Geocell retaining walls, groundbreaking of the resort facilities and construction of the ocean view villas.
Paradise is in the making, we can’t wait to welcome you.