Slater Young’s latest project has set the internet ablaze. The multifaceted engineer and content creator has taken the online world by storm following the unveiling of his groundbreaking real estate venture. A vlog, released on YouTube on August 24, unveiled his brainchild—a residential condominium nestled harmoniously on the slopes of a picturesque mountain in Cebu.
Young’s brainchild stands out with its bold and visionary design philosophy. In his vlog, he detailed the three fundamental pillars that guided the conception of this architectural marvel. “Architecturally forward, unprecedented in Cebu or the Philippines,” he began, highlighting the project’s commitment to pushing boundaries. “Maganda tignan, but very, very usable,” he continued, underscoring its practicality and user-centric approach. Yet, the most intriguing pillar was the project’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. Erecting a structure on a mountainside demands an environmentally conscious approach, and Young’s team embraced this challenge wholeheartedly.
Inspiration for the project sprouted from an unexpected source—the famed Banaue Rice Terraces. Young revealed, “The biggest inspiration for us was how us, Filipinos, worked with nature in the past. We got inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces.” This admiration for working hand in hand with the environment led them to a radical departure from conventional vertical building. Instead, they molded their design to the contours of the terrain, echoing the organic flow of the terraces.
This approach bore fruit in more ways than one. “Each and every space was pushed towards the back,” Young explained, illustrating how the free-flowing design unfolded. Notably, this spatial distribution across the mountain surface enhances safety and minimizes environmental impact—a testament to the project’s ecological mindfulness.
Predictably, the project has ignited a spirited online dialogue. Social media platforms have become a battleground of opinions—some extolling the innovative design’s harmony with nature, while others voice concerns about the environmental cost.
A fascinated online user marveled, “I cannot express how amazed I am by this development. We rarely get to see developments like this where they truly embraced nature and creativity + function.” Others echoed this sentiment, applauding the marriage of organic aesthetics and modern functionality.
However, not all are swayed by the project’s allure. Critics argue that the lofty “green architecture” ideals clash with the environmental impact of construction. “Kakabulhin ang kalikasan,” one user lamented, highlighting the dilemma between preservation and progress. Another skeptic pondered, “The ‘Banaue inspired’ design of Slater Young is breathtaking, but the irony of having a green architecture agenda while destroying the natural environment.”
